| If you’ve tuned into CBC lately (perhaps on its spanking new 99.1 FM station), you may have heard talk of Canada Reads. Since 2002, it’s been an annual event in which five celebrity panelists (this year: Denise Bombardier, Jim Cuddy, Donna Morrissey, Steven Page and John K. Samson) are each asked to champion a book, defending its merits against the vicious attacks of their co-panelists. The five books are whittled down to a single victor, that becomes the Canada Reads pick of the year. It’s Survivor meets literacy and it’s been hugely successful, drawing nationwide attention and creating spin-off events in each of CBC’s regions.
Calgary counts itself as one of those regions, and for the past several years, Allan Boss has tirelessly programmed innovative tie-ins to Canada Reads. Two years ago, he hired local actors to dramatize novel excerpts. Last year, he commissioned comedians to write literature-inspired comic monologues. This year, it’s the musicians’ turn. "Because Jim Cuddy and Steven Page – of Blue Rodeo and the Barenaked Ladies – are on the panel," says Boss, "I thought, well, why don’t we get some musicians to write songs about literature?"
Boss studied creative writing for his undergraduate degree, but most of his elective credits were in the music department. That’s where he first made the connection between music and literature. "They’re very close," he says. "In music, you have different dynamic levels – louder and softer. We do the same thing in writing: sections that flow faster and hit harder, then slow it down a bit and be calm for a while. It’s all about rhythm and meter."
With the help of CBC’s commissions department (www.cbc.ca/commissions – because song commissions don’t come cheap, y’know), Boss approached three local singer/songwriters – Kris Demeanor, Danielle French and Crystal Plamondon – to write original songs. "I thought it was a great challenge," says Plamondon, a Franco-Albertan musician whose song will mix English and French. "I’ve always been an avid reader. We didn’t have much money on the farm, but I used to save my money to buy books. Nowadays, I’ve always got two books on the go. It’s nice to work on something that’s close to your heart."
Plamondon brings an up-tempo, folk-y esthetic to the project, partly inspired by the books that she read as a child. "I always remember Charlotte’s Web," she says. "I mean, man, the spider could talk! It was a cool, imaginary world that adults didn’t know about. I still have the book, all tattered and torn."
In addition to performing their songs, each musician will be asked to tell a story about the books that inspired them. "Following the performances, we’ll have an open mic for the audience to share their stories," says Boss. "What books did you read as a kid? What books have inspired you? The most important part of the event is that people talk about literature and its importance." The Calgary component of Canada Reads takes place February 8 at 7:00 p.m., at McNally Robinson.
This month, I share my flywheel hosting duties with Chris Ewart, the brains behind Calgary Ink, for an all-fiction flywheel! Five exciting writers from the local scene – Christopher Blais, Alyson Fortowsky, Rebekah Jarvis, Paul Kennett and Crystal Mimura – will share sizzling short fiction; and if that’s not enough of a draw for you, there are also prizes and shockingly handsome hosts. Join us on February 1 at 7:30 p.m., at McNally Robinson.
The playRites festival has just kicked off, in which Alberta Theatre Projects presents the world premiere of five new Canadian plays. The festival offers playwrights the unique opportunity to workshop their scripts for several weeks with professional casts, which means that Linda Griffiths (Age of Arousal) and Ron Chambers (The Knowing Bird) are in town to give a behind-the-scenes chat about their creative processes! They’ll be at McNally Robinson on February 3 at 2:30 p.m.
That evening, students from the University of Calgary’s creative writing program gather for Gimme Shelter, a fundraising event for the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter. The rather staggering lineup of poets includes Doug Briggs, Amy Chandler, Angie Fletcher, Jordan Grant, Helen Hajnoczky, Liam Kavanagh, Ian Kinney, Scott Morris, Eve Paraschuk, David Proctor, Tim Rogerson, Ian Sampson and Paul Zits, joined by the alt-rock group Drohan. The action hits on February 3 at 9:00 p.m., at the Soda Lounge, with a $5 minimum donation.
Jeremiah Douglas was placed in the care of the Ontario Children’s Aid Society from age 9 to 12, but finally ran away at age 13. Now he’s in Calgary with A Life Not Worth Taking, an autobiographical tale of drugs, sex, money, power and appearance, and he’ll be signing the book on February 6 at noon, at McNally Robinson.
Then, Red Mile Revenge returns, with more of host Selina Clary’s unpredictable but always-wacky poetic madness! Anyone can read – even you! – and the evening always promises passion, art and scandal, so don’t miss out on February 6 at 8:00 p.m., at Victoria’s Restaurant. |
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