We want to hear from you!
Please take a few minutes and complete a short survey about Book News. Surveys submitted with contact information before Monday, February 9, 2009 will be entered into a draw for a two tickets to Spoken World on Wednesday, February 18 at 7:30pm.
http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/99042/u0ny9
The Vancouver International Writers Festival and the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad present
Spoken World
Don’t miss this opportunity to catch amazing spoken word artists from around the world, on stage with the Festival’s Literary Cabaret favourite Sal Ferreras and his all star band Poetic License. Two performances only!
7:30 pm February 18 & 20
Performance Works
1218 Cartwright Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $20/$18 students/seniors plus service charge available from www.vancouvertix.com or phone 604.629.8849. Group rates: group of 8 or more adults – $17 each plus service charges; group of 8 or more students/seniors – $15 each plus service charges. Advance purchase only. More information: www.writersfest.bc.ca/community/specialevents.
plus:
Spoken World workshop
A one day spoken word workshop for students in grades 9 – 12 with Regie Cabico, Morganics, Lemn Sissay and Kinnie Starr.
9 – 4:30 pm, Saturday February 21
$35 (lunch included)
Register today by phoning 604 681 6330.
Information: http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/content/spoken-world-workshop
About the Cultural Olympiad
The Cultural Olympiad is a series of multi-disciplinary festivals and digital programs showcasing the best in Canadian and international arts and popular culture.
http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/culture-and-education/cultural-festival-and-events/-/33968/1wly9jd/index.html
Reed Exhibitions has now cancelled BookExpo Canada.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090202.WBBooksblog20090202152554/WBStory/WBBooksblog
While booksellers struggle in the economic crisis, self-publishers are flourishing.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/28/books/28selfpub.html?scp=1&sq=self-publish&st=cse
Brain-imaging study shows that the mental stimulation of reading may improve skilled behaviours.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/jan/30/reading-nonpassive-causes-physical-simulation-reveals-new-study
Can serious fiction be science fiction?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2009/jan/28/science-fiction-genre
AWARDS
Russell Wangersky has won Canada’s largest non-fiction award.
http://www.bcachievement.com/news/news.php?story=20090202&id=0
More on Costa Prize winner Sebastian Barry: an article about his “flawed” winning novel and an interview.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/jan/28/sebastian-barry-costa-prize-winner1
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/barrys-flawed-novel-wins-costa-prize-1517836.html
J.K. Rowling is knighted in France.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/feb/04/rowling-harry-potter-france
BOOKS & WRITERS
New review of Ali Smith’s collection: The First Person is “full of stories folded up within stories”; “a book about stories themselves: why they work and why we tell them.”
http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/books/Tales+well+told/1226772/story.html
The bicentennial of Darwin Day is coming up. Here are a few reviews of two new books about Darwin: Angels and Ages: A Short Book about Darwin, Lincoln and Modern Life, and Darwin’s Sacred Cause: Race, Slavery and the Quest for Human Origins.
http://www.thestar.com/Entertainment/Books/article/579932
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/did-charles-darwin-believe-in-racial-inequality-1519874.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/01/books/review/Benfey-t.html?_r=1&ref=books&pagewanted=all
Quill & Quire profiles 70-year-old debut writer Alan Bradley.
http://www.quillandquire.com/authors/profile.cfm?article_id=10492
Margaret Atwood introduces The Paris Review Interviews, Vol 3.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/books/paris-reviewed/2009/01/30/1232818703473.html
In an interview in The Independent, British writer Hanif Kureishi talks about psychoanalysis, fundamentalism, and his sex life.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/hanif-kureishi-on-the-couch-1522837.html
The Star calls Sarah Shun-Lien Bynum’s second novel, Ms. Hempel Chronicles, “an anatomy of vulnerability with its cringing, heartbreaking detail, mercifully offset by a saving, redemptive humour.”
http://www.thestar.com/Entertainment/Books/article/579933
EVENTS
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL STORYTELLING FESTIVAL
The Vancouver International Storytelling Festival celebrates its 17th season with a weekend of performances by sought-after professional storytellers from home and abroad, all on the theme of “In the beginning.” Main Street’s Heritage Hall, decorated in the style of a magical, Arabian Nights-inspired Bedouin tent, will be home to origin stories from all over the world, and tales about beginnings of all kinds. Local favourites Kira Van Deusen, Jean-Pierre Makosso, Melanie Ray, Naomi Steinberg, EvenSteven, Wing-Siu Wong, Max Tell, Philomena Jordan and Helen Mintz will be joined by Eric Gauthier, Kagan Goh, Tanya Evanson, Vanessa Richards and the Cultural Medicine Cabinet Choir and also special guests Janet Blake (world-renowned teller from the UK) and Pat Braden (from the NWT). February 6 – 8, 2009. The 17th Annual Vancouver International Storytelling Festival Heritage Hall (Main St. @ W. 15th Ave.) Tickets at www.ticketstonight.ca or 604-684-2787.
TALKING STICK FESTIVAL
Cree artist Steve Sanderson will be giving a presentation on his comic book, Darkness Calls, which focuses on suicide prevention in youth. The piece has recently been adapted as an animated film, narrated in Gitxsan (with English subtitles). Monday, February 9 at 2:30pm, by donation. SFU Burnaby Mountain, Classroom ASSC 9095. More information at www.fullcircleperformance.ca.
BEST CANADIAN POETRY IN ENGLISH
Launch of Tightrope Books’ new anthology series, featuring readings by contributors and a performance of music and spoken word by Leanne Averbach & Indigo. Saturday, February 7 at 7:00pm, free. Montmartre Café (4362 Main Street). More information at www.tightropebooks.com/anthology.html.
STORY SLAM
Ivan Penaluna hosts a five-minute-story competition with eight storytellers. Sunday, February 8 at 8:00pm. Suggested donation $5. Café Deux Soleils (2096 Commercial). More information at www.myspace.com/thevancouverstoryslam.
GEORGE MCWHIRTER AND BARBARA PELMAN
Join Vancouver’s Poet Laureate George McWhirter (The Anachronicles) and Barbara Pelman (Borrowed Rooms) for a poetry reading. Monday, February 9 at 7:30pm, free. Central Branch, Alma VanDusen Room, Lower Level, 350 West Georgia Street.
PAN AFRICAN SLAM
Featuring Adelene da soul poet and Jive Poetic. Monday, February 9 at 8:00pm. Cafe Deux Soleils (2096 Commercial). More information at www.vancouverpoetryhouse.com.
WORDS & RHYTHM
Talking Stick Festival presents singer and storyteller Pat Braden and Métis poet Greg Scofield. Tuesday, February 10 at 9:00pm, by donation. UnWine’d Lounge (Howe at Davie). More information at www.fullcircleperformance.ca.
ONE FOR THE BOOK
Local writer and author of Instant Replay Len Corben reads from his work. Wednesday, February 11 at 7:00pm. Free; seating is limited and pre-registration is required. Please call 604-984-0286, ext. 8144 to register. Lynn Valley Main Library – Program Room, 1277 Lynn Valley Road.
IS HAPPILY EVER AFTER JUST FICTION?
Presentation for both writers and readers who are interested in how authors travel from idea to finished novel, featuring Kate Austin, Kaylea Cross, and Lee McKenzie. Wednesday, February 11 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen Room (Vancouver Public Library, 350 W. Georgia).
ROBSON READING SERIES
Presenting Patricia Young, author of eight books of poetry and one book of short fiction, Airstream and Terence Young, author of two books of poetry, a book of short stories and The Island in Winter. Thursday, February 12 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Robson Square Bookstore/Library, 800 Robson Street (plaza level). More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
JEN SOOKFONG LEE
On Edge Reading Series presents the author of The End of East. Thursday, February 12 at 7:00pm, free. South Building, room 406, Emily Carr University, 1399 Johnston Street, Granville Island. More information at: http://www.ecuad.ca/node/2626.
Upcoming
SAM WHARTON
Author Sam Wharton reads from his novel Passe Partout. Monday, February 16 at 7:30pm, free. Peter Kaye Room, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street. For more information please contact VPL – Popular Reading Library at 604-331-3691.
LONG TIME COMING
A celebration of African Heritage Month in words and music featuring performers Tanya Evanson, Carlos Costa, and Roger Blenman. Monday, February 16 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen Room (Vancouver Public Library, 350 W. Georgia).
SHAENA LAMBERT
Acclaimed author Shaena Lambert reads from her novel, Radiance. Wednesday, February 18 at 7:30pm, free. Alma VanDusen Room, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street.
MEMEWAR ISSUE #8 RELEASE PARTY
Readings from ‘Gods and Idols’ issue by contributors Rhoda Hodjati, Tony Power, C.J. Leon. Music from The Creaking Planks, Ballgag ‘n Chain Gang (Victoria), Wintermitts & Vancouver Cantata Singers. Thursday, February 19. Doors at 8:30pm. Cover $10 (includes copy of the magazine). Railway Club, 579 Dunsmuir, Vancouver.
Produced by the Book News Collective: Hal Wake, Brenda Berck, Catharine Chan, Ann McDonell and Sandra Millard.
To unsubscribe, please visit http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/community/booknews.
Hal Wake
Artistic Director
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2009 Festival – 20-25 October inclusive
Vancouver International Writers Festival
Suite 202, 1398 Cartwright Street
Vancouver, BC V6H 3R8
Canada
p: 604 681 6330 x102
f: 604 681 8400
e: hw***@wr*********.ca
w: www.writersfest.bc.ca
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