The Vancouver International Writers Festival and the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad present
Spoken World
Our Valentine’s gift to you – the Literary Cabaret in February! Tickets are still available for Spoken World – a multimedia spoken word extravaganza featuring four internationally celebrated performance poets accompanied by the Literary Cabaret’s Sal Ferreras and his all-star band Poetic License and improvised visual stylings by master VJ Candelario Andrade.
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 plus service charges per ticket; group of 8 or more students/seniors – $15 plus service charges per ticket. 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
City of Vancouver Poet Laureate – Call for Expressions of Interest
The City of Vancouver is requesting submissions for the position of Poet Laureate. The Poet Laureate position was created in December 2006 and the successful applicant will be the City’s second Poet Laureate. The Poet Laureate must be a Vancouver resident. Deadline for expressions of interest is March 11, 2009. Details at: http://www.vancouververse.ca/2ndPoetCall.html.
Amazon launches Kindle 2, a new version of its popular e-book reader.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/10/technology/personaltech/10kindle.html?_r=2&hp
Scholastic is accused of misusing its book clubs to push video games, jewellry kits and toy cars.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/10/books/10scho.html?ref=books
HarperCollins lays off employees and closes a division and an imprint.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/11/books/11harp.html?_r=1
Findings from a recent survey suggest that librarians self-censor.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6632974.html
AWARDS
Tim Cook wins the 2009 Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction.
http://www.thecharlestaylorprize.ca/latest-news.asp
Finalists for the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing are announced.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2009/02/06/political-writing.html
BOOKS & WRITERS
The NY Times Marilyn Stasio reviews new crime fiction including a book by Quebec writer Louise Penny.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/books/review/Crime-t.html?_r=1&ref=books
Final collections of John Updike’s poetry and fiction are due to be published this year.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/feb/09/updike-new-poetry-collection-short-stories
The transcript of Zadie Smith’s lecture at the New York Public Library in December 2008.
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/22334
Graham Rawle’s novel Woman’s World is “an astonishing concept novel” about the powers of obsession.
http://www.straight.com/article-199631/seriously-funny-parody-rules-rawles-world
Charles Elton’s debut novel Mr Toppit “shifts effortlessly between the dark days of childhood, the grit of pre-digital Soho, and the overexposed nonsense of contemporary L.A.”
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/fiction/article5675060.ece
Patricia Highsmith’s character Tom Ripley is 80 this year.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/books/review/Campbell-t.html
EVENTS
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.
SWEET AND SOUR
Valentine’s event featuring local writers Ayelet Tsabari, Cathy Sostad, Kagan Goh, Mike Unger, Elvy Del Bianco, Darren Steven Schilling, Jan Redford, and special guest Jenn Farrell, author of Sugar Bush and Other Stories. Thursday, February 12 at 7:00pm, free. Rhizome Café (317 E. Broadway). More information at eu******@ho*****.com.
KOOTENAY SCHOOL OF WRITING READING SERIES
Vancouver author Jen Currin will read from her latest book Hagiography and from her forthcoming Inquisition Yours. Friday, February 13 at 7:30pm, free. Spartacus Books, 684 East Hastings Street.
VANCOUVER MATTERS
Join Blueimprint and READ Books at the launch of a book that attempts to document the city through writing, drawing, and photography. Saturday, February 14 at 2:00pm, free. Charles H. Scott Gallery (Emily Carr University, 1399 Johnston, Granville Island). More information at **@si*************.com.
CRIC? CRAC!
Storytelling event for Black History Month featuring Helen May, Jean-Pierre Mokosso, and Comfort Ero. Sunday, February 15 at 7:00pm. Tickets: $6/$5. St. Mark’s Anglican Church (1805 Larch). More information at www.vancouverstorytelling.org/.
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.
THE REVEREND’S APPRENTICE
Arsenal Pulp Press presents a reading with David N. Odhiambo from his new novel, with special guest Crawford Killian. Friday, February 20 at 7:00pm, free. Book Warehouse (1051 Davie) .
Produced by the Book News Collective: Hal Wake, Brenda Berck, Catharine Chen, 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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