Photography

Like something from one of Ray Bradbury's dark Middle American novels, this is the old Venice City Hall, built in 1906 – at 681 Venice Boulevard, many blocks inland from the beach. You pass it, brooding on the east side of the street, on your way to the sunny beach. Here it is on shadowy August morning. It's now home to the Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center and the offices of L.A. Theatre Works – and it looks sullen.  Imagine Bradbury, still around these parts, reading from Something Wicked This Way Comes – there's the arrival of a "dark carnival" one autumn midnight. What would you do if your secret wishes could be granted by the mysterious ringmaster, Mr. Dark?  That works.

It could happen –

Beyond Baroque Literary/Arts Center is based near the beach in Los Angeles' old Venice City Hall, built in 1906. The Center offers an extensive program of public readings, free workshops, a project room, bookstore, publications, and chapbook/small press archive. During our nearly forty years in Venice, we have nurtured and presented many of the best writers, artists, and poets from the West Coast, around the country, and world. The Center is unique for its combined range of activities, constantly moving back and forth between the underground and the literary and artistic establishments.