From the grocery checkout aisle to Internet news feeds, celebrity divorce has become a yawn-worthy cliché. It’s refreshing for fans of matrimony, then, to hear that one of the world’s most famous married couples has been wearing the rings for over 60 years.

In November 2007, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, and their royal romance is chronicled in Queen and Country, co-authored by Arthur Bousfield, Garry Toffoli and Calgarian Lynne Bell. “Neither of the boys are married, so they thought it would be a good idea to bring a married woman onboard,” Bell laughs. “I guess I was the expert.”

Drawing upon archival research at the Canadian Royal Heritage Trust and elsewhere, Queen and Consort extensively documents the royal marriage, starting with the 1947 wedding. “In our research, I was surprised to find that Elizabeth and Philip are a very modern couple,” says Bell. “No one expected her to become Queen when she was only 25, but when she did, he gave up a celebrated naval career to support her. They’re a working couple, and they’ve survived decades of public scrutiny.”

With three Canadian co-authors, the book takes a slight colonial bend with memories of the couple’s various visits to our country, but overall it’s a celebration of their landmark anniversary. “It’s a remarkable occasion, especially when you look at the example of their own family,” says Bell. “My family certainly isn’t free of divorce, and I think very few are. A 60th anniversary is definitely worth celebrating.” Bell reads from the book at McNally Robinson (120 8 Ave. S.W.) on January 16, 6 p.m.

One Yellow Rabbit’s production of Sylvia Plath Must Not Die closes its run this week, bringing the poetry of Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton to vivid life on the stage. Visit www.oyr.org for more information.

Poetry invades the High Performance Rodeo from another angle at Midway, a carnival-style event that features everything from a bug-eater to a wandering ninja accordion player. Joining the madness are several familiar names to the Calgary poetry scene including Kris Demeanor, Laurie Fuhr, Latifa Pelletier-Ahmed, Andre Rodrigues, Aaron Sereda and Micah Stone. Midway takes place in the Centre Court of the Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts (second floor, 205 8 Ave. S.E.) from January 10 to 12, 7 to 11 p.m.

There’s no denying the Group of Seven’s lasting impact on Canadian art, which was the starting point for John O’Brian and Peter White’s new book, Beyond Wilderness: The Group of Seven, Canadian Identity, and Contemporary Art. With contributions by curators, historians, critics and more, O’Brian and White chronicle the reinvention of Canadian landscape art. They launch their book at the TrépanierBaer Gallery (105-999 8 St. S.W.) on January 12, 2:30 p.m.

Monday Night Shakespeare is back. Dr. Jim Black returns with his beloved weekly lectures, kicking things off with Richard II: The Man Who Wouldn’t Be King. Every week, Black delves into a different Shakespearean play, from the little known to the universally recognized. Join him at the Boris Roubakine Recital Hall (Craigie Hall, University of Calgary) on January 14, 7:30 p.m.

In search of the meaning of life, Dr. John Izzo interviewed over 200 people — barbers, aboriginal chiefs, Holocaust survivors and many more — who live happy, fulfilling lives. He then compiled his results into his imperatively titled book, The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die. Apparently, one of them is “live in the moment” — go figure — and the doc will be on hand at McNally Robinson on January 15, 5 p.m., to hook you up with the other four.

Free that poetry from your hard drive — it needs to be read aloud. Calgary’s newest open mic series, Passion Pitch Poetry, invites you to take the stage and share your words with a live audience. This month’s featured performer is Shone Abet, recently a member of the 2007 Calgary Slam Team. Check out the action with host Kirk Ramdath at the Oolong Tea House (110 10 St. N.W.) on January 16, 8 p.m. Admission is free, but donations will go to the performers and a featured local charity.

Is your dog a COOLdog? Sheri Olsen’s new dog training book covers everything from basic obedience to the off-leash park, with simple techniques to make you and your dog a happy, co-operative team. She signs copies of COOLdog at McNally Robinson on January 17, noon.