Reports from the NYC "Marathon"

Credit: Postdlf at the English language Wikipedia

Family commitments kept me from the "1st Ever NYC Marathon-Style Reading" of M-D, but here are two post-mortems: one from the N.Y. Daily News, and another from the "online news magazine," Capital.

From these reports we get a glimpse of the effect of location on the character of a M-D marathon. It seems the NY event was more self-conscious (and celebrity-aware) than the New Bedford event, with audience members and readers (!) freely commenting peanut-gallery-style — something that is all but unthinkable at our marathon. This difference may be, as Lemuel posited in a previous post, a result of vestigial "Calvinist mind-habits" among New Englanders.

One striking detail: the NY audience felt free to bring cans of beer, and to open them audibly during the reading. I doubt the Whaling Museum staff, or audience, would tolerate such a breach of decorum. (I have heard that alcoholic grog was available at the New Bedford marathon in its early years, until too many locals began coming just for the "party.")

Organizers intend to make the NY reading an annual event. Next year's is scheduled for November 15-17.

Save the MDM

courtesy of Elizabeth Ellis

The Whaling Museum sent out a letter last week:

This year, due to the abrupt elimination of a major grant from the U.S. Department of Education which historically underwrote the costs of this event, we are seeking the support of past readers and MDM enthusiasts.

The live streaming, the PA system and audio techs, the maintenance staff who keep the place functioning through the night — it all costs money.

Even a few dollars will help. See the "Support" notice on the Museum's MDM17 page.

Prepare to Read at MDM17

Email or call Monday to reserve a spot on the list of readers for January's Marathon.

From the online event calendar at the New Bedford Whaling Museum:

Anyone interested in being a reader during the 2013 Moby Dick Marathon, to be held on January 5&6, can email or call at 12:01 am, Monday, November 12. The email address is mdmarathon@whalingmuseum.org. The phone number is (508) 717-6851.

For other information you can contact Robert Rocha (508) 717-6849.