Writing the Memoir A writing workshop and public reading with Sharon Butala Location: Historic Joy Kogawa House, 1450 West 64th Avenue, Vancouver Date: Reading on Friday, February 22, 7:30 to 9 p.m.; writing workshop on Saturday, February 23, and Sunday, February 24, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost: Admission to the reading is by donation; writing workshop cost is $150 (includes GST), which includes muffin and morning coffee. Bring a bag lunch. Space is limited for both events. To ensure a place, please register by emailing ko*********@ya***.ca" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">ko*********@ya***.ca. Many writers have demonstrated that even the most glamorous lives—of celebrities, war heroes, or politicians—can make for dull reading. Yet the most ordinary lives can make thrilling reading. How does the storyteller capture the essence of the story and develop a reader’s interest? What are memoirs really about, and why write them? Through discussion, question and answer, exercises, and examining successful memoirs, this workshop will endeavour to answer such questions, as well as to show how memoirs might be structured, and how a writer decides what to put in and what to leave out. Memoirs are therapy for both writer and reader, but they are also good stories: at their best, they are art.
THE VANCOUVER POETRY SLAM PRESENTS THE CRACKERJACK-LIPSMACKER-WHIPPERSNAPPER YOUTH POETRY SLAM #2 AT CAFÉ DEUX SOLEILS: 2096 COMMERCIAL DRIVE THE 4TH MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH THE NEXT YOUTH SLAM IS MONDAY FEBRUARY 25TH FEATURING NADIA CHANEY “My poetry and lyrics explore my relationship to spirit, and develop a personal working model of grassroots politics. My chapbook is called, “Predatory Grace.” I’m also part of an acapella trio with Maya Suess and Sara Kendall called In.stead. Our music is positive, intelligent, and moves the crowd. I’ve had lots of experience on stage as an entertainer and musician, and bring the spirit of hip hop and spoken word performance to all of my work. I also love to help others find their own passions in the world of performance. Being on stage at an event is a great way to develop the confidence to make change at any level.” PLUS Nadia Chaney believes the sublime centre of the universe can be found at the heart of every moment. She works as a poet, emcee, musician, arts- empowerment facilitator, social justice activist, text editor and writing coach. She performs with two Vancouver based bands: in.stead, an all-female acapella hip hop experiment, and BPM, a dirty fusion of bhangra, dancehall and hip hop. THIS IS AN OPEN QUALIFYING SLAM FOR POETS AGED 13-22 TO MAKE THE VANCOUVER YOUTH POETRY SLAM FINALS ON JUNE 23RD DOORS AND SIGN UP AT 7PM SHOW STARTS AT 8PM WITH AN OPEN MIC $3 FOR 18 AND UNDER $5 FOR 19 AND OLDER
POETRY AROUND THE WORLD You are invited to enjoy a wonderful evening of beautiful verse and spoken word at Indigo Books in Park Royal. Bring your love poems for the open mic that follows the features. Our distinguished poets are: Alejandro Mujica-Olea (Chile) Deborah Kelly (Canada) Gabriella Kullak (Canada) Kyle Christensson (Canada) Indigo Books Park Royal, West Vancouver February 13th at 6:30 pm Refreshments will be served. Poetically yours, Lucia Gorea
Don’t fear the Taxman! 
Announcing the most important learning opportunity of 2008: Tax Fundamentals for Artists and Artisans Presented by Marianna Scott from Quantum Accounting Sunday, February 24 1pm – 4pm (Registration starts at 12:30pm) Kaslo Gardens Co-operative (Activities Room) 2765 Co-operative Way (between Kaslo and Slocan Streets on Grandview Highway) Visit their website for a map: http://kaslogardenshousingcoop.ca/ Cost: $15 This workshop will be ideal for self-employed artists and craftspeople with little or no experience preparing taxes. If you dread tax season, and put off thinking about your taxes until the last minute, then this workshop is for you. The workshop will cover the fundamentals of taxation for individuals, with an emphasis on the self-employed. It will cover which expenses are deductible, what kind of record keeping is required and how to get and stay organized. Marianna Scott has been in accounting since 1987. She has been preparing personal taxes for the self-employed since 1996, with a focus on the arts and culture industry for the past four years. Marianna has completed a course of study to become a Certified Financial Planner. She expects to receive her CFP designation in 2008. Brought to you by Vancouver Poetry House, as part of its Professional Development Program. www.vancouverpoetryhouse.com For more information or to pre-register for this important event, contact Steven R. Duncan at 604-788-8340 or email sr******@sh**.ca" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">sr******@sh**.ca. Space is limited. Also check out www.smart-arts.blogspot.com for other great learning opportunities for the Arts and Non-Profit Sectors. brought to you by: Steven R. Duncan & Associates
Hi Friends and fans, I just received results of a bone marrow biopsy that was done during the week. Although the results are somewhat confusing, it looks for now that I might be free of leukemia. I might be back to the MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndrome) I started off with. In any case, they are repeating the test early next week, and figuring out where to go from there. A transplant is not out of the question with MDS, assuming my donor is still on board. So rather than the road simply dropping off the cliff, it looks like another turn in the ongoing path. This is good. For all of you French speakers… Last week I did a French radio interview with Dominique Denis. It will air first on Monday, February 4th at 13:05, everywhere in Ontario on Radio-Canada (860 am in Toronto, fm band elsewhere…), then again at 16:00 on Sirius Satellite all over North America (channel 138). The weekend show will air the entire piece again the weekend prior to the two Hugh’s Room concerts. And for you folks in the Toronto range, the Hugh’s Room concerts a fund raiser for yours truly in my time of need. They are taking place February 18th and 19th. The programme is exciting and packed. Musicians will be doing versions of my tunes, and it looks now like there is a good chance of me being there to observe and to perform. My youth fiddle groups from out west – The Twisted String, have been motivating for months to get support to come out to the Hugh’s Room shows, and it looks like they have achieved their goal, due to the generosity of many Canadians. Nineteen young fiddlers will be there, playing up a storm. They will also do school shows, and a free noon hour concert at Princess Margaret Hospital on Feb 19th. The Hugh’s Room concerts will also represent a historic meeting of Twisted String with my Stewed Tomatoes band. What fun! Book early if you plan to come, since the show will be sold out. www.hughsroom.com That’s it for now. Back to my wee (but private) room. Best,
Oliver
You are invited! Dinner, Dance and Entertainment. We need to sell 35 tickets more! Feb. 16th at the Holiday Inn, 1110 Howe Street (Columbia Room) 6:30-12:00 am. Tickets: $35.00 Fantastic Buffet Dinner with many items. Dance to music by Internationally Known Pancho and Sal! Silent Auction including Weekend Accommodation to Pemberton/Whistler! Solo dance by well known dancer Mariko. Line dancing. Call or e-mail for tickets: ar******@un******.com" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">ar******@un******.com or 604-526-4729 Donations gratefully accepted , receipt given. All proceeds go for awards, Enviro-display and food at the World Poetry Gala, Feb. 29th Celebrate your February birthday with Ariadne (Feb.16th) at the fundraiser. Call 604-526-4729 to reserve. Bonnie Nish Executive Director Pandora’s Collective www.pandorascollective.com