The world premiere of Jack Kerouac’s play “Beat Generation” at Merrimack Repertory Theatre. Author talks by physicist David Kaiser, poet Anne Waldman, and others. Jay Atkinson with the rundown on Kerouac the Athlete. Lowell literary tours by Roger Brunelle. Kerouac’s former girlfriend and now his biographer Joyce Johnson signng books at MRT and commenting after one of the play performances. Tom Sexton reading his new Lowell poems. Kathleen Pierce and Nancy Metz discussing the travel writings of Charles Dickens and Kerouac. Writer Rick Moody and musician Tanya Donelly sharing ideas about music and writing. David Amram playing horns and keyboard and more around town. Get the complete schedule here

Events are scheduled at MRT, UMass Lowell, the Old Court Irish pub, Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center, Dom Polski, 119 Gallery, and many other locations.

Check www.uml.edu/artsandideas and www.lowellcelebrateskerouac.org for late-breaking additions and location announcements.