Michael Christopher Chervenak

G.P. SKRATZ, n‚ Michael Christopher Chervenak, was a true bard, beloved for his poetry, music, wild performances, and his laugh. Born April 23, 1948, in Trenton, New Jersey, son of Michael Chervenak III and Dorothy Mae Frost. He grew up in Trenton.From 1969-1975 he led The Stone Show, a five-member troupe of poets and musicians, touring the country and presenting hundreds of performances. In 1975 he touched down in the Bay Area, which would remain his home. Along with poets Darrel Gray, Jim Nisbet, David Schein & others, he helped to produce the first "Actualist Convention." This was a non-stop weekend of eclectic performances (poetry, dance, theater, and "art with no name") at the Blake Street Hawkeye Theater in Berkeley. His poetry often metamorphosed into performance art, and his subjects frequently tackled philosophy, social satire, and political subversion. For decades a select group of friends received rhapsodic poetry postcards, including an annual nod to Richard Nixon's birthday. Among his honors were video residencies at Toronto's A-Space and La Mamelle in San Francisco, and first place at the 1990 Bisbee Poetry Festival. He co-authored "Everything Else" (a collection of collaborative poetry with Darrel Gray, Andrei Codrescu and Pat Nolan). He authored and performed "Sundae Missile, The Mass of the Church of the Center that Will Not Hold" (Poetry Hotel Press, 2016). A prolific writer, he also authored "The Gates of Disappearance" (Konglomerati Press), "Fun" (Philos Press, 2006); and was ghostwriter for the Three Stooges's biography by Morris Moe Feinberg, "My Brother Larry: The Stooge in the Middle" (Last Gasp, 2000).In later years, Skratz's musical groups Arundo and Smooth Toad (with Andy Dinsmoor, Bob Ernst, Ed Holmes, Hal Hughes, Summer Brenner and more) performed at festivals, colleges, bookstores, on the public square, and where ever there was a friendly microphone. Many CD recordings resulted from his long term collaborations with Andy and others.G.P. Skratz died June 6, 2023. He is sorely missed by family and friends, including his wife, artist Linda Lemon, his brother Robert Chervenak (of Shreveport, LA), and his grandson Michael Bybel (of Oakland, CA). He was a loving father to Katherine Bybel and Timothy Lemon. He loved the moniker of "fool", and played the part with gusto on the stage of our society. This couplet from Cervantes' Don Quixote may best describe him: "He had the fortune in his age, To live a fool and die a sage."A Celebration of Skratz's life is planned for April 2024, in the Bay Area. If you are interested in more details as the date and time are set, please contact Linda via skratz357@gmail.com. Condolences may also be sent to that address. So long and Thanks for all the fish!