Now here's a catchphrase all the cool kids ought to be donning 'round their necks like cheapened bling: WWBD? As in, "What would Bukowski do?"—the irony being a shared lack of knowledge about the writer's life and work beyond the womanizing, copious drunkenness and cutting couplets some of us quote but never actually read. Luckily, Sherman Arts founder Rich Wexler would like to educate the lost and explain just how one unassuming poet from Los Angeles became the subject of cultish story collections, songs from Modest Mouse, Red Hot Chili Peppers and 311, and, most recently, a 2003 documentary called Bukowski: Born Into This. His solution? "Sex, Drink, and Classical Music: A weeklong celebration of film, live music and poetry readings celebrating the life and work of Charles Bukowski," beginning with a $5 Tritone triple bill of psych folk (Kelli Shay Hicks) and classical (Eric Bandel, the duo of Gregg Mervine and Kevin Kelly) tunes.

Wexler says he's always been a fan of Bukowski, especially his adored/despised "me-me-me" approach to thousands of poems, hundreds of short stories and six novels. Since Bukowski is often referenced but rarely understood—many blindly lump him in with the Beats, for one—the main thrust of "Sex, Drink, and Classical Music" is the film Born Into This. Bukowski's influence will also take on a local tinge through readings of his work and poetry inspired by it, an hour before 9 p.m. screenings on June 28 and July 1 at The Cinema. Bukowski-caliber black humor is also an added bonus to the July 1 showing, as The Dangers of Sex and Alcohol, a collection of afterschool special clips and vintage junior high shock tactics, is offered at 11 p.m.

"It's kind of a joke, but I thought it would be fun to show anti-drinking films with a Bukowski doc," says Wexler.

Considering Bukowski's tombstone—he died of leukemia on March 9, 1994—reads, "Don't try," the selection couldn't be more appropriate.

"Charles Bukowski: Sex, Drink, and Classical Music," Mon., June 26, Wed., June 28 and Sat., July 1, $3-$7.50, more information at www.shermanarts.org.