The 2024 San Francisco Leonard Cohen Festival, presented by Conspiracy of Beards, returns to Cafe Du Nord and Swedish American Hall November 8, 9, 10. Three evenings of Cohen’s words, music, and spirit will feature many Bay Area poets and musicians, as well as Conspiracy of Beards, Conspiracy of Venus, ISMAY, and a finale performance by Grammy-winning songwriter, singer, and Cohen collaborator, Sharon Robinson.

Night 1 – Passing Through: An Evening of Poems and Music inspired by, loved by, and left behind by Leonard Cohen

The first night (Friday, November 8th) will feature poets and musicians presenting words and music, inspired by, loved by, and left behind by Leonard Cohen (1934-2016), the renown Canadian singer, songwriter.

Leonard Cohen was a lover of literature, poetry, and music from a young age, and from that love came his own powerful works that have inspired so many. We will explore the works that Leonard admired and discussed in interviews and with friends.

Accomplished San Francisco Bay Area poets will present original work inspired and/or written by Leonard Cohen in a 15-minute performance piece.  Poets are invited to reference Cohen (Cohen’s favorite writers and poets reading list) as appropriate and/or to present their own work that may connect with, or be inspired by Cohen’s literature, poetry, spirit and/or music.

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The Conspiracy of Beards and the 2024 San Francisco Leonard Cohen Festival are supported, in part, by a California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant.  Additional support is provided by Mistler & Associates as well as anonymous donors.