In conjunction with its Homemade Music Symposium, the Artists and Writers Group welcomes 30-year music industry pro Tony Michaelides — who’s worked with the likes of David Bowie, The Pixies, Massive Attack, Elvis Costello and U2, among many others — for a free interactive discussion,
Todd Shimoda discusses his latest novel, Oh! A Mystery of Mono No Aware, a compelling story that integrates elements of non-fiction in its exploration of a young Japanese-American's journey of self-discovery via Japanese suicide clubs, underground poetry and the aesthetic of mono no aware (the sadness in beauty). The Japanese principle, also translated as "pathos in things," was originated by Motoori Norinaga, an Edo-period scholar interested in the "wonder and transient nature of one's surroundings." Shimoda's other works include the novels The Fourth Treasure and 365 Views of Mt. Fuji: Algorithms of the Floating World. 6 p.m. Weds., June 10, Inkwood Books, 216 S. Armenia Ave., Tampa, 813-253-2638, inkwoodbooks.com.
This article appears in Jun 3-9, 2009.