This Week in Lit Events: September 19-24th

Not enough literary festivals last week for you? Check out this week, with festivals in Victoria, Vancouver, Lethbridge, Winnipeg, and Toronto. But that’s not all!Are you hosting an event featuring an author whose titles are available on All Lit Up? Send the event details, including author, book, date, time, and address to hello@alllitup.ca to be included in our listings.

Tuesday, September 20th

Toronto

AGO Creative Minds Art and Social Justice with André AlexisWhere: Massey Hall, Victoria Street, Toronto, ONWhen: 8pmMore information: We look to artists to reflect our lives, but how often do we look to them to shape our future? This fall, the Art Gallery of Ontario and Massey Hall partner with the CBC and The Banff Centre to create a new public platform for artists with the launch of Creative Minds.The semi-annual series kicks off with an evening of unscripted dialogue on the topic of Art and Social Justice, featuring writer André Alexis, artist Rebecca Belmore, filmmaker Deepa Mehta and musician Buffy Sainte-Marie.Tickets range from $19.50 to $79.50.Link: http://www.agocreativeminds.ca/HalifaxNeptune Theatre Presents: Speed Dating for Sperm DonorsWhere: Neptune Theatre, Argyle Street, Halifax, NSWhen: September 20 – October 9More information: DMV Theatre’s Production of Speed Dating for Sperm Donors by Natalie Meisner (based on Double Pregnant) runs at the Neptune Theatre from September 20-October 9.Girl meets girl. Girl marries girl. They want to have babies… but they need a little help.Link: http://neptunetheatre.com/default.asp?mn=1.22.389

Wednesday, September 21st

Toronto

Pivot at the SteadyWhere: Steady Cafe and Bar, 1051 Bloor Street W, Toronto, ONWhen: 8pmMore information: Pivot is off and kicking for 2016-17, and Jake has taken this time to accidentally book a reading of his own out-of-town, but don’t fear, you’re in better hands with this quartet of women curated by emerging poet Canisia Lubrin. Lots to watch out for, including Cherie Dimaline, Rudrapriya Rathore, Kilby Smith-MacGregor, and Jess Taylor.PWYC (Suggested: $5).Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/285240101858711/Hamilton, ONAfter Hours Series Where: Bryan Prince Bookseller, 1060 King St W., Hamilton, ONWhen: 7pmMore information: After Hours Series with Michael Mirolla and Laurence Hutchman, Chris Pannell, Bernadette Rule, Ellen S. Jaffe, Sky Gilbert, and Krista Foss.VancouverThe 20th Anniversary of Poetry in TransitWhere: Emerald Cocktail Lounge, 555 Gore Avenue, Vancouver, BCWhen: 7-9pmMore information: To celebrate Poetry in Transit’s 20th anniversary, a free poetry reading event sponsored by Word Vancouver will be held on Wednesday, September 21, at The Emerald cocktail lounge at 555 Gore Avenue in Chinatown, from 7 pm to 9 pm.Hosted by Sandy Shreve, there will be readings from 20 poems from poets such as Brian Brett, Renee Rodin, Rita Wong, W.H. New, Kate Braid, Evelyn Lau and Fred Wah. Also, Margaret Reynolds will attend to read a poem of the renowned Al Purdy (1918 – 2000).The event promises to be a fun evening and a much-deserved salute to the contribution poets have made to Vancouver’s, and the province’s, cultural fabric.

Thursday, September 22nd

Vancouver

WORD Vancouver: Twisted Poets Literary SalonWhere: Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main St, Vancouver, BCWhen: 7-9:30pmMore information: Jennifer Zilm reads from Waiting Room as part of WORD Vancouver’s Twisted Poets Literary Salon at Cottage Bistro. Also with Henry Beissel and Elee Kraljii Gardiner. Hosted by Bonnie Nish.Link: http://wordvancouver.ca/2016-festival/schedule/#ThursdaySt. John’sCraig Francis Power LaunchWhere: The Ship Pub, 265 Duckworth Street, St. John’s, NLWhen: 8pmMore information: Craig Francis Power is an artist and writer from St. John’s, Newfoundland. His new novel, The.Hope. (Pedlar Press 2016), will be launched at The Ship Inn in St John’s NL on Thursday 22 September 2016 at 8PM. Jamie Fitzpatrick will host. 

Friday, September 23rd

WinnipegThin Air 2016: Opening NightWhere: Centre culturel franco-manitobain, 340 Provencher Boulevard, Winnipeg, ManitobaWhen: 7-9pmMore information: Thin Air Winnipeg International Writers Festival presents Thin Air 2016: Opening Night, featuring Steven Ross Smith, author of Emanations: fluttertongue 6. Also featuring Kevin Spenst and Paul Dutton.

Saturday, September 24th

Lethbridge, AB

Word on the Street LethbridgeWhere: Main Library: 5th Ave. S. and 8th St. S., Lethbridge, ABWhen: 11-5pmMore information: Come out this year to meet and listen to a number of talented Canadian authors, including Aaron Paquette, author of Lightfinder! A full schedule and list of speakers can be found at the link below.Link: http://thewordonthestreet.ca/lethbridge/VictoriaVFoA: “Between and Liminal: Writing Through the Lyrical Eye—a Discussion”Where: Intrepid Theatre, 1609 Blanshard, Victoria, BCWhen: 1:30-3pmMore information: Victoria Festival of Authors presents “Between and Liminal: Writing Through the Lyrical Eye—a Discussion”, featuring Adrienne Gruber, author of Buoyancy Control. Also featuring Carla Funk  & Jan Zwicky. Moderated by Marita Dachsel.Winnipeg

Thin Air Gala: Celebrating ManitobaWhere: Shaw Performing Arts Centre, The Forks, Winnipeg, MBWhen: 7:30-9:30pmMore information: Manitoba’s amazing community of writers is the focus of our twentieth anniversary gala. Ten writers share their own new work, along with work by ten writers who have helped put Manitoba on the map. Hear what’s happening now (like Angeline Schellenberg), along with the words of Gabrielle Roy, Marvin Francis, Robert Kroetsch, Wayne Tefs, Michael Van Rooy, Sheldon Oberman, Louis Riel, Todd Bruce, Margaret Laurence, and Carol Shields. Celebrating Manitoba—in words! Books available for purchase on-site.Cash bar. Tickets $12.Link: https://thinairwinnipeg.ca/events/2016/09/24/gala-celebrating-manitoba/

Sunday, September 25th

VancouverWORD Vancouver Reading EventsWhere: Vancouver Central Library + all overWhen: All dayMore information: Check out the bevy of WORD Vancouver events taking place, including readings, workshops, a festival, and more!Link: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/fullscreen/55878256/word-vancouver-2016-program-guideTorontoWord on the Street TorontoWhere: Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, ONWhen: 11-6pmMore information: Head to Toronto’s Harbourfront for a day of readings, book-buying, and more! See readings from authors like Margaret Christakos, Moez Surani and Malcolm Sutton (for a full listing, click the link below).Link: http://thewordonthestreet.ca/toronto/

Toronto Book Launch: The Company of CrowsWhere: Another Story Bookshop, 315 Roncesvalles Ave., Toronto, ONWhen: 5pmMore information: Author Karen Molson launches her book The Company of Crows at Another Story Bookshop: the event will feature a reading or two, book signings, and refreshments.Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/554463864745556/