More than 35 people attended professor and writer Randall Horton’s reading and book-signing event at San Benito Arts Council “Artspace” on March 24. Hosted and organized by local poet and talk show host Rachelle Escamilla in conjunction with the San Benito Arts Council, the event also featured live music, art by local Phillip Ray Orabuena, Carlos Munoz and Casey Jahsma and beer provided by Brewery Twenty Five.
The highlight of the night was hearing Horton read passages from his book Hook: A Memoir.
“Hook is basically about my journey from addiction to prison then to professor,” Horton told BentioLink.
Chapters such as “Exodus 1983,” which talks about Horton’s struggles with addiction and chapters about his journey while being incarcerated gave the audience a look into Horton’s point of view during hard times.
“Professor Horton has a unique story to tell. The context was nice and it had a rhythm to it,” said Jennifer Laine, executive director of the San Benito Arts Council.
Horton is responsible for helping Escamilla publish her book Imaginary Animal, through his publishing company Willow Books, which specializes in publishing the work of writers of color.
Horton is currently working on his third studio album with his band, Heroes are Gang Leaders that is due to come out this summer.
“Its a mix of literary text and experimental jazz,” he said.
Escamilla said she invited Horton because she knew he was already heading to Los Angeles for the AWP (Association of Writers and Writing Programs) conference and “downtown Hollister needs free events like these.”
She added that these types of events are typical of something that would take place in the Bay Area and that it was time Hollister get on board. Escamilla would like to plan more events in the future saying “I would like them to happen at least every three months.”
Those in attendance also expressed their enthusiasm for the evening and wanted more events like this to take place.
Student Alejandro Ceja said, “It was really interesting. Hollister needs more of these types of events to support the arts. It brings the community together.”
Local artist Rolan Resendiz said he felt inspired by Horton and said,” I thought it was culturally relevant to our demographic here in Hollister. It was needed. I would like to see more.”
Horton and Escamilla’s books are both available through Small Press Distribution
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