America’s most well-known singer-songwriter, Patti Smith has been a fixture of the New York music scene since the early 70s. Her debut album Horses came out in 1975 and she has since released ten studio albums, including 2012’s Banga. “Because the Night”, which was co-written with Bruce Springsteen, is perhaps Smith’s most famous song, having reached the 13th spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1978. Smith was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007 and is often referred to as “The God Mother of Punk.” She was also given Sweden’s Polar Music Prize and named a Commander of Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture.

Smith also wrote an autobiography, called Just Kids, which won the National Book Award for Nonfiction in 2010. It details Smith’s relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, whom she refers to as “the artist of my life” in the book. Mapplethorpe’s work was often featured on the Patti Smith Group’s LPs. Smith has since recorded a spoken word version of Just Kids. Smith is rumored to be working on a sequel.

Smith is doing a short reading at Fort Tilden Beach as part of the Rockaway Arts Fest’s “Rockaway! Opening Day.” Presented by the Rockaway Artists Alliance, The Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, The National Parks Service, Rockaway Beach Surf Club, Honolulu Biennial and MoMA PS1, the festival’s opening day will end with Smith reading some of her poetry in Fort Tilden’s Gateway National Recreation Area. She will also have an two onsite installations and a photograph exhibit opening in the park that day. It’s a large venue, but attendees should arrive early to secure good seats.

Patti Smith at Fort Tilden Beach
169 State Rd New York, NY 11697

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Admission: Free

Doors: 6:00 PM