In some parts of America, October 30 is called Beggar's Night -- the idea being that kids who can't get out on Halloween can come out the night before to get their treats.  Those of us lucky enough to be at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh, North Carolina, on this October 30, got more thrills than we could have begged for.  The North Carolina Literary Review celebrated the release of its 2009 issue with performances by poet Betty Adcock, writer Bland Simpson, and Americana music sensations The Red Clay Ramblers. Nearly 150 people crowded the aisles of Quail Ridge (otherwise known as "Club Nancy") to join the festivities.

People began arriving at 6:15 to claim seats for the 7:30 show and by 7:00 it was clear that this was a standing room only event. NCLR editor Margaret Bauer kicked things off with a cheery hello and a quick acknowledgement of all the other NCLR writers and artists and staff members in the audience. NCLR's new art director Dana Gay and fiction editor Liza Wieland were there. Artists Louanne Watley and David Terry were seen hobnobbing with playwright June Guralnick and short story writer Gregg Cusick. It was starstudded.  Was that art editor Diane Rodman sneaking in a quick glass of red wine standing next to Associate Editor Lorraine Robinson? Yes, it was. Other dignitaries were noted and then on with the show!

Oh, Betty Adcock, is much-loved in North Carolina, but don't for a second think that her abundant sweetness could mask her unsentimental examination of Southern landscapes and histories. For sure, Ms. Adcock is moving on in years, but her critical ears and eyes are still sharp and her poetic reminiscences of her East Texas youth were filled with an understanding of the greed and callousness of the misuse of her native land. But it was the “White Rhinoceros” that sat prominently on the Quail Ridge stage and made us take notice of Adcock’s powers of observation. She combines myth with the terrible containment of the great beast in the North Carolina Zoo to make us see the missteps of human history and thought. Remarkable.

How could Bland Simpson follow? Quickly, quickly, with trademark light step and quick wit. He read a few paragraphs from his NCLR piece on musician’s theater (and The Red Clay Ramblers) before thanking Bauer for asking him to write the essay and thus give shape to a life that otherwise felt randomly experienced. Bring on the noise!

Simpson called up his Red Clay Rambler bandmates and has Quail Ridge ever sounded so good? The musicians were wild: Jack Herrick on bass, trumpet, and was that a mandolin? I’m not sure, but close.  Clay Buckner fiddled and sang in a voice that sounded like it was still etched on my father’s old 78s. Beautiful and old-timey. Is there an instrument Chris Frank does not play? There was a trombone, a guitar, an accordian and the greatest of all instruments, the tuba. Bland himself sat at the piano and whistled and sang and told stories and gave depth to the evening’s fun. There were hits and toasts to the Old North State and hand clapping, foot stomping blue grassy rambles. They sang to the North Carolina literary giant Thomas Wolfe and gave a heartfelt ode to former slave Moses Grandy. The Ramblers combine history with humor and musicality with meaning. They swing and rock and think and bring life to all the parties.

We all felt alive this Halloween Eve, and grateful to all the donations of time, space and talent that made this such a special event. Quail Ridge Books—we thank you and your amiable staff for all your good spirit and help. Beers all around!  If this is literary life in North Carolina, then let it live on. And may The North Carolina Literary Review play on into the century so we can have at least one night every year just like this one. What a treat!