The Bitter End in NYC was hopping for the early show on August 15 as Three Rooms Press and an enthusiastic crowd celebrated the life and work of Charles Bukowski on the eve of what would have been his 104th birthday.

The 17th annual Charles Bukowski Memorial Reading, hosted by 3RP co-directors Peter Carlaftes and Kat Georges, was one of the most exciting editions of the annual performance ever. Held for the third year in a row at legendary Greenwich Village music nightspot The Bitter End, the show featured poems, readings and performance by NY icons Penny Arcade, Jennifer Blowdryer, Puma Perl, Danny Shot, Richard Peter and George Wallace, with special guest performances by Ron Kolm and a surprise appearance by actor Frank Messina (The Irishman, Boardwalk Empire).

Check out these photos from this year’s show. And make plans now to be in NYC on Saturday, August 16 for the exciting 105th birthday celebration of Bukowski.