| Two big literary events hit Calgary tonight, Thursday, February 27. The (Conflict of Interest Alert) Writers Guild of Alberta Freedom to Read Week fund-raiser takes place at McNally Robinson at 7 p.m. It will feature readings by philosopher Trudy Govier, freelance writer Gordon Neufeld, publisher Lee Shedden and poet Sheri-D Wilson, as well as the presentation of the annual Freedom of Expression Award – and possibly a special surprise ending. If you haven’t yet reserved tickets, they will be available at the door. (Conflict Over)
Also tonight, the Single Onion Poetry Collective holds the 20th edition of their recurring monthly reading series, with a great lineup of readers including André Rodrigues, Frances Kruk and, all the way from B.C., Governor General Award-winning poet Lorna Crozier, who will be reading from her new book Apocrypha of Light. Music will be provided by Rodney Guitarsplat. The reading begins at 8 p.m. at Stanton Studios (2010 - 11 St. S.E.) and admission is free.
Rajinderpal S. Pal won the second annual CBC Poetry Face-Off last Thursday after a "clap-off" against Kirk Miles. Raj now moves on to the national finals, along with Edmonton winner Mary T. MacDonald and 12 other regional finalists. The finals will be broadcast on CBC Radio in April during National Poetry Month. Keep reading this column for more details as they become available.
Attention Teachers: Plans are already coming together for WordFest 2003, which will run from October 15 to 19. The Book Rapport program, which presents top-notch children’s and young adult authors to school children for a very low cost, has already booked the following presenters for the fall: Dennis Lee, author of the perennial favourite Alligator Pie; internationally renowned Canadian playwright Tomson Highway; and Australian Garth Nix, who is the author of the Sabriel series. Schools can call the Wordfest office at 294-7462 for more information.
Thanks to everyone for the kind words since I began filling in for Harry – they’re much appreciated. (I have this vision of Harry sitting in an Internet café in Southern France logging onto the Fast Forward Web site to keep tabs on me, but somehow I doubt that’s true.) Also, just a reminder to make sure you get your upcoming events, notices and deadlines to us at least one week prior to the date of the issue that precedes it –and preferably as soon as details are finalized. As always, you can send them to info@ffwd.greatwest.ca, which ensures that both the listings editor and I will get them. |
