Dr. Robert F. Panara: Robert Panara and Allen Ginsberg Deaf Beat Summit

Dr. Robert Panara and Allen Ginsberg, 1984.

This presentation inspired students Peter Cook and Debbie Rennie to create ASL poetry. Clayton Valli, an alumnus, was the first to write a dissertation about ASL poetry. In 1987, the first ASL poetry conference featured five ASL poets: Peter Cook, Clayton Valli, Debbie Rennie, Patrick Graybill (NTID faculty who translated the Hydrogen Jukebox), and Ella Mae Lentz. Courtesy of Deaf Studies, Culture & History Archives at RIT Archives.

The Museum of American Poetics is a great poetry website by Jim Cohn, an alumnus (interpreter) who was involved in the early years of ASL Poetry in Rochester, NY. He published ACTION magazine, which includes poems by Deaf poets Patrick Graybill, Peter Cook, and Debbie Rennie. 

Look at the ASL Poetry Archive from his website, which is listed below.

Bird's Brain Society (from Jim Cohn)
Contains flyers for 2 of the 4 events organized by Peter Cook & includes original letter from Adele Friedman authorizing the event.Adele Friedman was the admin person to whom I reported regarding my own assistance to Peter Cook on creating the historic ASL poetryseries on the RIT campus. She was also the calligrapher and artist behind the 2 flyers.

Bridge Of
Contains brief description of the ASL-English poetry performance troupe's short lived but impactful life & photos. The troupe included Debbie Rennie,Peter Cook, Donna McCallum (nee Kachites), Kenny Lerner & myself. Donna interpreted for Debbie, Kenny for Peter. Two photos included in this file, both with captions. 

Deaf-Beat Summit
Contains brief description of the event & includes 3 photos: one of Panara & Ginsberg embracing; one of Bob Panara & one of Allen Ginsberg taken that day, 4 Feb 1984.

Photo of Jim Cohn, Kip Webster, Allen Ginsberg & Robert Panara
Check out the photo! 

"Like a Teardrop in Some Forgotten Video," and the National Deaf Poetry Conference.