Patti Smith to Present "Songs & Stories" at McCarter Theatre Center
As part of her book tour for the memoir Bread of Angels, Patti Smith will perform a “Songs & Stories” event at the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton. The event is scheduled for December 5 at noon for McCarter members and subscribers, and November 7 at noon for the general public.
Event Details and Format
During the event, Smith will engage in a conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and poet Eliza Griswold, who directs Princeton University's Program in Journalism. Smith will share passages detailing her journey from childhood in postwar America to her emergence as a pioneering rock artist.
In conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, poet, and Director of Princeton University’s Program in Journalism, Eliza Griswold, Smith will share passages that chart her journey from her childhood in postwar America to her creative awakening and life as one of rock’s most influential voices.
The conversation will feature an intimate acoustic performance of a few of Patti’s favorite songs.
About the Memoir Bread of Angels
Released on the day of the announcement, Bread of Angels chronicles Smith’s teenage years, highlighting the early sparks of art and romance that influenced her. The memoir reveals how poets like Arthur Rimbaud and musicians like Bob Dylan inspired her creative work, leading to iconic albums such as Horses, Wave, and Easter.
The book takes us through her teenage years where the first glimmers of art and romance take hold. Arthur Rimbaud and Bob Dylan emerge as creative role models as she begins to write poetry then lyrics, ultimately merging both into the songs of iconic recordings such as Horses, Wave, and Easter.
She also narrates her personal journey, leaving everything behind to marry Fred Sonic Smith, her true love, and creating a devoted and adventurous life together by a canal. She describes the creative space she carved for herself with a low table, a Persian cup, an inkwell, and a pen, entering at dawn to write.
Key Themes
- Creative awakening and artistic evolution
- Influence of literary and musical icons
- Personal love and commitment
- The creative process and dedicated writing space
She leaves it all behind to marry her one true love, Fred Sonic Smith, with whom she creates a life of devotion and adventure on a canal. Here, she invents a room of her own, a low table, a Persian cup, inkwell and pen, entering at dawn to write.
Author's summary: Patti Smith’s memoir and accompanying show blend personal stories and music to reveal her artistic journey and deep creative passion.