| A couple hours’ drive from Calgary sits an artistic oasis: The Banff Centre. Nestled between mountain peaks, it provides an endless stream of residencies and development opportunities for artists of all disciplines, from dance to translation to music. Marni Jackson, a senior editor for The Walrus, was recently appointed the Rogers Communications Chair of the Banff Centre’s Literary Journalism program, formerly known as Creative Non-Fiction and Cultural Journalism. "Journalism is as creative as the journalist makes it," says Jackson. "In practice, literary journalism tends to be long-form, narrative non-fiction."
Every year, the program selects eight professional writers for a month-long residency at the Centre, where they work with on-site editors. "It’s a remarkable program," says Jackson. "I think it’s unique in the world for giving writers who aren’t novelists the chance to develop their craft without worrying about earning a buck for every hour of the day." There is, sadly, one drawback. "The outlet for long-form journalism in Canada is sadly limited – i.e., to The Walrus. We’ve published people from the program in two anthologies, Taking Risks and Why Are You Telling Me This?, but we need more magazines dedicated to long-form journalism."
Most of this takes place behind closed doors, but the program has a public component, the Literary Journalism Conversations, where four celebrated writers will each share a lecture over the month of July. Jackson’s contribution to the series is "First, There is a Mountain: Writing as Climbing," inspired by a program she’s taught over the past two years. "Most of the participants are climbers from around the world, really hardcore climbers," she says. "Even though they don’t have much writing experience, they have a lot of narrative gifts that other writers could learn from. They pay attention to the details, not to the finished product but to the route, and the result is natural, strong narratives."
Jackson’s mountain-themed lecture is particularly appropriate, considering its setting. "Sometimes writers stay too much in their heads, which is why the Banff Centre is so great for the writing process," she says. "Mount Rundle is right there – it forces you to examine your relationship with your environment and landscape. I think writers should enjoy that humbling experience of having something bigger than they are."
The Literary Journalism Conversations series kicks off with Elena Poniatowsa Amor, who was recently awarded the Romulo Gallego Prize for Literature, with a lecture entitled "Literature that Comes from the Streets" on July 9. She’s followed by Jackson on July 16, Wayne Johnston with "How Much of This is True?" on July 23 and finally Bill Richardson with "One Chaste Kiss, or One Thing Leads to Another." All events take place in the Banff Centre’s Rolston Recital Hall at 8 p.m.
This month’s flywheel features the wildest poetic experiment yet. Five poets – Diane Guichon, Paul Hegedus, Ross Priddle, a.rawlings and Natalie Walschots – have passed their poetry off to five multidisciplinary artists – Danielle French, Terrance Houle, Marcy Lannan, Allison Lynch and Mat Mailandt – to interpret in any way they wish. Literature meets music, theatre and performance art in an unforgettable evening of artistic excellence. Plus, Sandy Lam’s limited-edition flywheel poster, signed by all the participating artists of the past six months, will be auctioned off to raise money for Literacy Alberta, and a brand-new poster will be unveiled. Don’t miss one of the summer’s hottest literary events at McNally Robinson on July 5, 7 p.m.
After stumbling upon his Cree heritage, Vern Wishart embarked on an investigation of his family’s history. In What Lies Behind the Picture: A Personal Journey into Cree Ancestry, Wishart looks at the complexities of cultural inheritance. He reads at McNally Robinson on July 6, noon.
For over 50 years, Douglas "Hawkeye" Strickland has made a career of re-creating historical aboriginal artifacts, and his work has been seen in museums, galleries, movie screens and private collections around the world. Hawkeye’s Diary of Indian Crafts and Information, Vol. II collects a wide selection of sketches, illustrations and photographs from his colourful career. Join him at McNally Robinson on July 7, noon.
The sudden influx of blue jeans and cowboy hats can mean only one thing: it’s Stampede time again. To give the little cowpokes a taste of rodeo excitement, why not head over to Stampede Storytime for tales of cowboys and trail rides? Wranglers ages three and up are invited to McNally Robinson on July 7, 1:30 p.m.
In the late 19th century, Jane Priddle travels to Canada in search of Billie Thomm, a street-savvy youth who was one of thousands of Home Children, sent to North America for a better life. Freda Jackson’s first novel, Searching for Billie, ranges the northwest frontier in a tale of wilderness adventure that she shares at McNally Robinson on July 9, noon.
For some, coffee is a drink. For others, it’s a lifestyle. Susan Zimmer’s first book, Cappuccino Cocktails & Coffee Martinis, sold over 40,000 copies. Now, she’s back with I Love Coffee, a volume packed with coffee-related recipes, guides and anecdotes. Join her for a cuppa joe at McNally Robinson on July 10, noon.
Dr. Garth Dahl has crisscrossed the globe to assemble an awe-inspiring collection of masks from five continents. Masks from Around the World includes photography, collector tips and the cultural significance of his widely diverse mask collection. He hits McNally Robinson on July 12, noon.
Local boy Stephen Massicotte has done his hometown proud: he recently won the 2007 Canadian Authors Association Carol Bolt Drama Award for his latest play, The Oxford Roof Climber’s Rebellion. The play turns a fictionalized lens onto two influential historical figures, following their involvement in the First World War: T.E. Lawrence ("of Arabia") and poet Robert Graves. |
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