"H. P. Lovecraft Meets E. A. Poe"

From Carl JohnsonProgram: A series of dramatic recitations of select excerpts from the prose and poetry of both H. P. Lovecraft and Edgar Allan Poe, presented in entertaining fashion by successive readers.Date: Sunday, April 1, 2007Time: Commencing at 3 p.m.Location: Front ground of historic Ladd Observatory (built and opened in1891), 210 Doyle Avenue at the corner of Doyle Avenue and Hope Street,Porvidence, Rhode Island.Admission: This event will be open to free public attendance.Adverse Weather Contingency: Should we experience sustained rain or snow on that date, the event will not be postponed; rather we will move the presentation to inside the building. Fog, drizzle or light rainfall will not drive us inside, since a somewhat gloomy atmosphere might provide an added touch to the ambiance!Following proceedings at the Observatory, we will drive to Swan Point Cemetery, 585 Blackstone Boulevard; those who wish may briefly pay their respects at the Phillips family plot where H. P. Lovecraft is interred. Then all will be invited to join us at nearby India restaurant.It has been noted that something out of the ordinary...even for this eldritch affair...almost always seems to occur at these Tribute Services, often involving a dramatic and unanticipated change in weather conditions. During the presentation of March 16, 1998, an unanticipated burst of snow flurries fell while a dirge was sung by a pretty young lady clad in a black velvet cloak. Misty distortions have shown up in photographs taken during the service, and murders of crows have lighted in nearby trees, screeching their apparent discontent uncannily on cue with the readings of Lovecraft's writings. If this wasn't sufficient, a seemingly disembodied "voice" once was detected in the playback of an audio recording made at Lovecraft's final resting (or, perhaps in his case, "resisting") place. Although he prided himself on his implacable sense of the rational, relying on scientific observation to interpret the world around him and disavowing any belief in things supernatural, maybe Mr. Lovecraft was endeavoring to make his presence known to the gathering. But that is mere speculation, and of a decidedly unscientific nature! Carl L. JohnsonAdvisor to the "H. P. Lovecraft Commemorative Activites Committee"(401) 732-4870constablecj@hotmail.com