Of all the people I know, there is a tiny, minuscule, infinitesimal percentage of them who attend literary readings on a regular basis. Oh, sure, a good many of these acquaintances will check out rock-star writers such as Chuck Palahniuk or David Sedaris if they happen to breeze through our city, but local readings tend to draw the same niche audience. The same can be said in regards to theatre, visual art, performance art and, to a lesser extent, film and music. But what if there was a single event that appealed to all of these niche audiences? That event would have the potential to draw in a king-size audience with a swath of interests wider than Lou Ferrigno’s chest.

The fifth annual Calgary Blow-Out kicks off this Thursday, dubbing itself unique in its commitment to promoting local talent. It’s true that the contributors to the Calgary Blow-Out are all either past or present residents of the city, or are closely allied with the literary scene here, but The Blow-Out is unique because it is not solely a literary festival. During three days there is an art show and sale, an Independent Press and Arts Fair, two Exploding Concerts!, performance, film, theatre, as well as poetry and fiction.

According to local writer and performer Samuel Garrigó Meza, who presents on Friday, July 3 alongside Eric Moschopedis, The Blow-Out has the right idea in melding artistic disciplines since most literary events are “more or less successful depending on how many of the writer’s friends turn out.” He says this is due, in part, to a “stigma that readings are kind of boring.” In the past, Meza has defied this stigma and surprised audiences with unorthodox performances. At last year’s Blow-Out, he re-created an original performance by Pop Art icon Ray Johnson, in which he beat a cardboard box with a belt while jumping on one foot.

“Whether you’re haphazard about it or not, writing is a performance, and some writers are disadvantaged in that they don’t conceptualize their performances,” says Meza. He isn’t sure, or isn’t saying, how he and Moschopedis will fill their Blow-Out slot, but he gives the impression that the performance will challenge the audience’s expectations — whether they like it or not.

Music, the most popular art, caps off both Friday and Saturday night with an Exploding Concert!, with performances by The Beija Flor and Dolly Sillito (Friday), and Clinton St. John and The Ogden Owls (Saturday). It would be a gross disservice to the colossal pipe organ at Arrata Opera Centre, where all but Thursday’s events take place, if I failed to mention it will be employed during Saturday’s performance. Shorts by local filmmakers will bridge any gaps in the entertainment, so plan, if nothing else, to stay amused.