Ginsberg and Mankiewicz Will Speak At Quincy House Festival This Month

Poet Allen Ginsberg, film director Joseph Mankiewicz, movie critic Judith Crist and harpsichordist Igor Kipnis '52 are some of the stars in the 12th annual Quincy House Arts Festival beginning tonight and running through May 5.

The festival, which will take place in the Quincy House dining room and junior common room, includes speakers, drama, opera, folk dance, musical comedy, musical concerts, discussions and folk singing.

Gary R. Spilsted, Quincy House music tutor and chairman of the festival, said that the finances for the program came from three sources: Quincy House funds and house committee revenues, 25 per cent; patrons, including parents, senior common room members and alumnae, 25 per cent; and ticket sales, 50 per cent.

"Our goal was to have all events free," he said, "but some programs were too expensive."

He cited as an example the $3000 production costs for Stravinsky's "The Soldier's Tale" and Hans Warner Henze's "A Country Doctor."

Spilsted estimated that the total cost of the festival would be in excess of $5000.

Since planning began last September, Spilsted said he has sent out over 250 invitations to performers.

The festival was inaugurated as a three day program in 1960 by Quincy House's former Master, John M. Billit '43.

During the mid-sixties, the program grew to its current length, featuring such notables as Edward Albee and Cleveland Amory. But the festival was temporarily discontinued after 1970, because student interest was channeled towards politics, Spilsted said.

Allen Ginsberg starts off the festival this evening at 8:30 p.m. reading excerpts from his poetry and discussing the selections with the audience.

Other attractions this week include Roberta Peters, soprano with the Metropolitan Opera in New York, Bethany Beardslee, an expert on vocal techniques, the Mandala folk dance group; a poetry reading by Samuel Menashe; and a midnight jazz performance by the Jes Grew Revue at midnight on Friday.