June 16th is Bloomsday, and that means the streets will be filled with people wearing straw boater hats. But if you know what’s good, consider carrying a boombox too — battery-powered and ready to blast your favorite genre of James Joyce music — then bring that boombox over ’cause we’re having a party! Highlights for this year include the history of Joyce music, and happenings in Antwerp and Amsterdam.

The History of Joycean Music

Derek Pyle and Krzysztof Bartnicki have been hard at work on a bibliographic project called “The History of James Joyce Music — Adaptations, Interpretations and Inspirations“. Newly updated this week, the history features 350+ entries, covering Joyce’s influence on music of all genres: from the avant garde composers, like John Cage and Harry Partch; to Joycean hip hop references, found in Vince Staples and Korean trio Epik High; to chart-topping dance tracks like Amber’s “Yes”; plus a whole lot more. Sara Jewell created a lovely new image (pictured) to accompany the history.

Academics and Artists in Antwerp

Many Joyce lovers will descend upon Antwerp this week for the Art of James Joyce conference (11 – 16 June). Waywords and Meansigns director Derek Pyle will give a presentation on Wednesday afternoon (13 June) entitled “Static Crooning Consciousness Expansion: Musical Undergrounds Respond to James Joyce”, as part of a 2pm panel chaired by Katherine O’Callaghan.

Additional presenters with “Waywords ties” include Peter Quadrino, Scott Rhodes, Cahal Stephens, Layne Farmen, Robert Berry, and Erik Bindervoet. (See the full academic programme here.) Heather Ryan Kelley’s incredible artwork will be featured in the “The Art of James Joyce Exhibition”, which features a group show at the University and a solo show for Heather Ryan Kelley at the Royal Academy entitled “Storiella and the Midden Heap: Books and Collages”. Christa-Maria Lerm Hayes also curated a “Joyce in Art” show at the M HKA, opening on Thursday night (14 June). And there may be other familiar faces about… come to Antwerp & find out!

On Saturday (16 June) there will be a Bloomsday Happening, curated by Nico Dockx, and featuring an impressive lineup of artists and performers. Waywords and Meansigns is honored to be included in the mix; Derek Pyle will give a presentation on the project, followed by a group semi-structured improv performance. Steve Fly will perform as well, as part of the BloomJamm mini-tour (see below). Rumor has it Neal Kosaly-Meyer will also recite chunks of the Wake from memory! Cost to attend the Happening is €10, which includes food and drink; to register for the event, email joyce2018@uantwerpen.be.

Throughout the week (June 12 – 15), Gavan Kennedy will be film live readings from Shem the Penman, as read by conference goers and any adventurous passerby. These after-hours happenings will take place in the Ossenmarkt, near the University. Join in just for the craic, or come prepared to read a page! Gavan’s participatory reading project was born out of his original contribution to Waywords and Meansigns, first recorded at Burning Man in 2016. For more info on where to read with Gavan in Antwerp, stay tuned here.

Bloomjamm in the Ampsterdampster

To follow his performance as part of the Bloomsday Happening in Antwerp, Steve Fly has organized an exciting run of gigs in Amsterdam. Dubbed Bloomjamm, the performances will take place at various locations across the city on 19, 21, and 23 June. Each night features a unique lineup that includes the likes of Steve Fly, William Sutton, Derek Pyle, Christian Greer, and others. Steve Fly has also designed a free downloadable app, available to all Antwerp and Amsterdam attendees, and also available to YOU:

For the Bloomsday performance in Antwerp 2018, Steve relies upon NinjaJamm, a digital music app that allows for manipulation and composition on the fly. In addition to his performance, he’s creating a digital remix tool for free download and use by all conference-goers, to be made available here.

Together with a turntable & percussion, Steve will join a talented group of musical artists exploring the art of James Joyce. His performance will include audio from the late Robert Anton Wilson, another elder of the tribe and eminent Joyce enthusiast.

We hope to see many new and old friends in the coming weeks! Write to waywordsandmeansigns@gmail.com with any questions, and as always, stay waking.