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www.CanadaCubaLiteraryAlliance.org
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See this url for the 2008 festival info
www.canadacubaliteraryalliance.org/CCLAlitFest08.html The First Annual CCLA Art and Lit Fest Sunday, August 5th, 2007 |
 Return to CCLA |
The Event is over and what a success. See reports below.
We will keep this page up with full info below reports for a while.
August 07, 2007
2007 CCLA Art and Lit Fest
President’s Report
How Could it Have Possibly Been Any Better?
The CCLA Art and Lit Fest ran in tandem with the Purdy Country Literary Festival this past weekend. The CCLA events were held in Brighton on Sunday, August 5th with the Purdy Country Literary Festival on the 4th. For outdoor events the weather was incredibly cooperative both days – sunny but not too hot with no humidity – the breeze was marvelous. Was someone praying?
Even though it was the inaugural year for both events they went off with out a hitch. The CCLA Art and Lit Fest was held in Memorial Park, with art and book booths – about 25 in total. Events included artists and authors from as far east as Ottawa, Montreal and Kingston, all the way west to Brantford, Hamilton and Toronto.
Booths were set up by 11am and ran until 4pm exhibiting painting, photography, fabric art, books and CDs. An “Open Air” reading – 1pm to 3:30pm – MCed by RD Roy, included authors: Leah Browning, Mark Clement, Elizabeth Greene, Kim Grove, Jennifer Londry, Kathryn Macdonald, Bob MacKenzie, Janet Richards, Eric Wright, Bonita Summers. The children’s poetry workshop ran by Diane Dawber and the children’s art workshop ran by Deb St, Amant were a great success.
The CCLA festival continued in the evening at the Brighton Antique Café. At 5:30pm over 60 poetry lovers jammed in for dinner and the “Dog Days of August” reading, MCed by Mark Clament. We were regaled by 6 of Canada’s top poets: Allan Briesmaster, James Dewar, John B. Lee, Deborah Panko, Susan Lynn Reynolds and RD Roy. My comment to the readers at the end of the evening was “As the president of the CCLA I am thrilled to be part of this astounding reading. You six readers have fed me a meal that will sustain me for— an eternity.” Of the many hundreds of poetry readings that I have ever been to I have never been to one better.
We are already forming plans for the 2008, 2nd annual CCLA Art and Lit Fest. For being our first festival, this year could hardly have been better. Stay tuned for info on next year’s plans at our official CCLA Art and Lit Fest url <www.canadacubaliteraryalliance.org/CCLAlitFest.html>.
The CCLA would like to thank the Municipality of Brighton for the use of Memorial Park, it was a perfect venue. We would also like to thank, Chef Matt, at the Brighton Antique Café for hosting the evening reading. The food and support staff were great. Contact Matt at 613-475-0342.
Sincerely,
Richard M. Grove
CCLA President
*** See Purdy Country Literary Festival report below
-----Original Message-----
From: C FAIERS
Sent: 8/7/2007 12:02 PM
To:
Cc:
Subject: PurdyFest THANK YOU!
Aug. 7. 2007
A heartfelt THANK YOU to all the participants in the inaugural Purdy Country
Literary Festival! The attendance at all three Marmora events was far
beyond the expectations of co-organizer James Deahl and myself!
The events kicked off Saturday afternoon with the “Controversy”, a brilliant
piece of Canuckery dreamt up by Al Purdy and James Deahl to unite Canadian
People’s Poets. Despite its aggressive name, this fourth Controversy was the
best-attended yet, with almost 20 participants happily sharing their
thoughts and hopes for the development of People’s Poetry.
James Deahl opened the conference with a brief overview of the three
previous Controversies and how they led to the topics for discussion at this
one. Hamilton poet Jeff Seffinga then gave a half hour review of worldwide
people’s poetry, going back through millennia from Beowulf and the Norse
legends to modern times. It was an enjoyable and comprehensive revisitation
familiar to me from the dozen or so college and university lit courses I sat
through decades ago.
Toronto philosopher Terry Barker then gave an impassioned presentation on
the desirability of establishing a Canadian People’s Poetry Foundation.
Barker said he considers much of Canadian history and culture “hidden”, and
the lives and aspirations of average Canadians lost amidst the cultural
domination of the United States. Terry said that in many Native cultures,
the tribal name itself means “The People”. Later discussion by participants
helped define People’s Poetry as poetry of the common man, the working
people, and not literature written to reinforce society’s elites, whatever
they may be, in societies defined as capitalist, or socialist or theocratic
or anything else.
Brighton poet and President of the Canada-Cuba Literary Alliance, Richard
(Tai) Grove then presented his paper on People’s Poetry. Richard gave the
example of teaching seminars in various countries, and how the citizens of
those countries perceived their participation in poetry. Grove said that in
Cuba, 95% of students said they considered themselves poets when questioned
in his seminar. In Germany, not one of his students considered themselves a
poet. In Canada, we are halfway between those two extremes, with half his
students considering themselves creators of poetry.
Marmora poet Chris Faiers then gave a brief paper on possible spiritual
foundations for People’s Poetry. Faiers said for many poets, the acts of
reading, writing and disseminating their work can be a form of spiritual
activity.
Barrie poet Anna Plesums concluded the Controversy by reading three of her
poems. Anna has led a fascinating and challenging life, and after 83 years
on the planet, she shared her wisdom through her writing, exhorting everyone
present to remember that love is what matters most.
The next event was a combined reading and buffet at The Marmora Inn Bed &
Breakfast. Toronto poet Allan Briesmaster immediately made the approximately
40 people feel at ease with his relaxed style as MC. While audience members
sat in a shady grove of cherry trees, Briesmaster opened his set with poems
by master People’s Poets Al Purdy and Milton Acorn. Allan then read his own
beautifully crafted poems in his natural hypnotic rhythms. Kate Flaherty,
recent winner of the Shaunt Basmajian chapbook award, then gave a delightful
recitation of her experiences as a young woman and now a mother. Anna
Plesums finished the set with her worldly and yet loving wisdom.
Everyone then shuffled through the elaborate dining room to fill their
plates with the gourmet buffet delicacies prepared by Inn managers Bill and
Craig. Bill and Craig surely treated the poets and their audience as
personal guests, rather than as a source of profit. I’ve paid 4 or 5 times
as much for meals not half as sumptuously prepared. Bill & Craig said they
considered the meal a practice run in group dining preparation, and with the
quality and service they provided, I have no doubts The Marmora Inn will be
providing sophisticated dining for many groups for years to come.
Bellies full, poets and audience straggled through downtown Marmora to the
island in the middle of the Crowe River dam. Marmora
singer/songwriter/guitar player Morley Ellis had already set up on the
island, and his powerful voice wafting over the waters helped guide people
to the final event site of the day.
Morley sang 4 or 5 songs before the Dam Poetry Reading began. At 6 pm. As
audience members drifted in, Morley upped the tempo with John Lennon’s
classic songs, “Workingclass Hero” and “Imagine”. Morley’s voice and guitar
playing had the crowd hooked, and delighted audience members shouted for him
to continue playing. An intuitive crowd-pleaser, Morley played “Man on the
Moon” by REM, and the crowd begged more. After several more songs, and
realizing the crowd might ask him to play all night, Morley finished with
the bittersweet Neil Young song, “Harvest Moon”.
Richard Grove of Brighton was the first of 5 feature poets to read. Richard
read poems about his experiences in Cuba on tours with The Canada-Cuba
Literary Alliance. Richard showed the downside as well as the mostly
positive side of modern Cuba, with poems about pollution in Havana Harbour
amidst the beauty and welcoming spirit of the Cuban people.
Next to read was fellow CCLA member RD Roy. RD Roy was introduced as a
street nurse in Belleville, and his dedication to this profession was noted
in his introduction. RD Roy dismissed personal claims to nobility, saying he
felt he owed more to the street people than they did to him.
Up-and-coming young People’s Poet Martin Durkin read next. Martin was raised
in this area, in Read, and he spent his youth learning the building trade
from his father. In his introduction, Martin said he has had to work even
harder at mastering the trade of poet. From his witty and hard-earned poems
Martin showed the benefits of his literary apprenticeship, what his mentor
Al Purdy called in a poem “The Crafte So Long to Lerne”.
Hamilton poet Jeff Seffinga was the fourth reader. He was introduced as the
master of more poetic forms than could be listed in a brief introduction.
Jeff read a haibun tribute to his recently departed wife which had audience
members wiping their eyes.
The fifth and closing feature poet was Hamilton poet and publisher James
Deahl. James has had poems published in over 100 magazines, and he has
published 17 books. He was introduced as the modern poet most representing
the noble tradition of People’s Poetry, a poet who has mentored dozens of
poets, who has traveled tirelessly and often lived a life near poverty in
order to publish the works of deserving poets. James wowed the audience with
the range and breadth and feeling of his poetry.
To the delight of the audience, an open set followed the feature poets. The
tone of the evening was so casual, so populist and inclusive, that at least
double the number of poets read in the open set as had been featured. One
poet, identified as Katharine from Montreal, had spent over a day traveling
to the Festival. Other readers were members of the CCLA who were scheduled
to read the next day in Brighton. Several young readers and one older reader
gave their first public recitations.
As dusk settled over Marble Point, the final reader read the last poem. The
culturally satisfied audience wandered off, and only the waters rushing
through the dam raceway were left to speak for another year.
PurdyFest events continued the next day in Brighton. I confess I was so
exhausted from months of organizing and a final hectic week of preparations,
that I was unable to attend these. Richard Grove, RD Roy, James Deahl and
other poets can tell the tales of that day’s successes.
Yesterday, August 6, the concluding event of this inaugural PurdyFest was a
picnic held by Al Purdy’s grave in Ameliasburgh. James Deahl, his 2
daughters Simone and Shona, and Jeff Seffinga and his guests Simon and
Melanie, drove 4 hours each way through holiday traffic from Hamilton to
visit with Al’s spirit. Anna Plesums and I also attended this casual and yet
most enjoyable poetry reading/goofy pseudo-séance/picnic. The sun came out,
the wind came up, and we lounged in the small carefully-tended settlers
graveyard by the old millpond in a valley. Purdy’s love of nature and his
sense of place were attested to by visits from a pair of turtles, who
cautiously enjoyed the proceedings from a floating log in the middle of the
pond. Near the end of the readings, with James Deahl leaning on Al’s grave,
book in hand on this convenient podium, a murder of crows flew over, Uncle
Milton Acorn giving his raucous and approving voice to the affair.
POETRY POWER!
Chris Faiers
zenriver@sympatico.ca
Note: I wrote this the morning of Tuesday, Aug.7/07, with some sense of
urgency. I haven’t taken my usual time to edit, or reflect for a few days,
as I wish to thank the participants while the glow of events is still on me.
Also a number of journalists have deadlines to meet, and this was also
written to give a quick summary of the Marmora events. I’d like to thank the
staff of “The Link”, “Upfront” and “Umbrella” magazines for their promotion
of PurdyFest. I’d also like to thank the staff of both local newspapers,
“The Shield” and “The Community Press” for giving us coverage the weekend
before events.
… and special thanks to Bill & Craig of The Marmora Inn
2007 CCLA Art and Lit Fest
President’s Report
How Could it Have Possibly Been Any Better?
The CCLA Art and Lit Fest ran in tandem with the Purdy Country Literary Festival this past weekend. The CCLA events were held in Brighton on Sunday, August 5th with the Purdy Country Literary Festival on the 4th. For outdoor events the weather was incredibly cooperative both days – sunny but not too hot with no humidity – the breeze was marvelous. Was someone praying?
Even though it was the inaugural year for both events they went off with out a hitch. The CCLA Art and Lit Fest was held in Memorial Park, with art and book booths – about 25 in total. Events included artists and authors from as far east as Ottawa, Montreal and Kingston, all the way west to Brantford, Hamilton and Toronto.
Booths were set up by 11am and ran until 4pm exhibiting painting, photography, fabric art, books and CDs. An “Open Air” reading – 1pm to 3:30pm – MCed by RD Roy, included authors: Leah Browning, Mark Clement, Elizabeth Greene, Kim Grove, Jennifer Londry, Kathryn Macdonald, Bob MacKenzie, Janet Richards, Eric Wright, Bonita Summers. The children’s poetry workshop ran by Diane Dawber and the children’s art workshop ran by Deb St, Amant were a great success.
The CCLA festival continued in the evening at the Brighton Antique Café. At 5:30pm over 60 poetry lovers jammed in for dinner and the “Dog Days of August” reading, MCed by Mark Clament. We were regaled by 6 of Canada’s top poets: Allan Briesmaster, James Dewar, John B. Lee, Deborah Panko, Susan Lynn Reynolds and RD Roy. My comment to the readers at the end of the evening was “As the president of the CCLA I am thrilled to be part of this astounding reading. You six readers have fed me a meal that will sustain me for— an eternity.” Of the many hundreds of poetry readings that I have ever been to I have never been to one better.
We are already forming plans for the 2008, 2nd annual CCLA Art and Lit Fest. For being our first festival, this year could hardly have been better. Stay tuned for info on next year’s plans at our official CCLA Art and Lit Fest url <www.canadacubaliteraryalliance.org/CCLAlitFest.html>.
The CCLA would like to thank the Municipality of Brighton for the use of Memorial Park, it was a perfect venue. We would also like to thank, Chef Matt, at the Brighton Antique Café for hosting the evening reading. The food and support staff were great. Contact Matt at 613-475-0342.
Sincerely,
Richard M. Grove
CCLA President
*** See Purdy Country Literary Festival report below
-----Original Message-----
From: C FAIERS
Sent: 8/7/2007 12:02 PM
To:
Cc:
Subject: PurdyFest THANK YOU!
Aug. 7. 2007
A heartfelt THANK YOU to all the participants in the inaugural Purdy Country
Literary Festival! The attendance at all three Marmora events was far
beyond the expectations of co-organizer James Deahl and myself!
The events kicked off Saturday afternoon with the “Controversy”, a brilliant
piece of Canuckery dreamt up by Al Purdy and James Deahl to unite Canadian
People’s Poets. Despite its aggressive name, this fourth Controversy was the
best-attended yet, with almost 20 participants happily sharing their
thoughts and hopes for the development of People’s Poetry.
James Deahl opened the conference with a brief overview of the three
previous Controversies and how they led to the topics for discussion at this
one. Hamilton poet Jeff Seffinga then gave a half hour review of worldwide
people’s poetry, going back through millennia from Beowulf and the Norse
legends to modern times. It was an enjoyable and comprehensive revisitation
familiar to me from the dozen or so college and university lit courses I sat
through decades ago.
Toronto philosopher Terry Barker then gave an impassioned presentation on
the desirability of establishing a Canadian People’s Poetry Foundation.
Barker said he considers much of Canadian history and culture “hidden”, and
the lives and aspirations of average Canadians lost amidst the cultural
domination of the United States. Terry said that in many Native cultures,
the tribal name itself means “The People”. Later discussion by participants
helped define People’s Poetry as poetry of the common man, the working
people, and not literature written to reinforce society’s elites, whatever
they may be, in societies defined as capitalist, or socialist or theocratic
or anything else.
Brighton poet and President of the Canada-Cuba Literary Alliance, Richard
(Tai) Grove then presented his paper on People’s Poetry. Richard gave the
example of teaching seminars in various countries, and how the citizens of
those countries perceived their participation in poetry. Grove said that in
Cuba, 95% of students said they considered themselves poets when questioned
in his seminar. In Germany, not one of his students considered themselves a
poet. In Canada, we are halfway between those two extremes, with half his
students considering themselves creators of poetry.
Marmora poet Chris Faiers then gave a brief paper on possible spiritual
foundations for People’s Poetry. Faiers said for many poets, the acts of
reading, writing and disseminating their work can be a form of spiritual
activity.
Barrie poet Anna Plesums concluded the Controversy by reading three of her
poems. Anna has led a fascinating and challenging life, and after 83 years
on the planet, she shared her wisdom through her writing, exhorting everyone
present to remember that love is what matters most.
The next event was a combined reading and buffet at The Marmora Inn Bed &
Breakfast. Toronto poet Allan Briesmaster immediately made the approximately
40 people feel at ease with his relaxed style as MC. While audience members
sat in a shady grove of cherry trees, Briesmaster opened his set with poems
by master People’s Poets Al Purdy and Milton Acorn. Allan then read his own
beautifully crafted poems in his natural hypnotic rhythms. Kate Flaherty,
recent winner of the Shaunt Basmajian chapbook award, then gave a delightful
recitation of her experiences as a young woman and now a mother. Anna
Plesums finished the set with her worldly and yet loving wisdom.
Everyone then shuffled through the elaborate dining room to fill their
plates with the gourmet buffet delicacies prepared by Inn managers Bill and
Craig. Bill and Craig surely treated the poets and their audience as
personal guests, rather than as a source of profit. I’ve paid 4 or 5 times
as much for meals not half as sumptuously prepared. Bill & Craig said they
considered the meal a practice run in group dining preparation, and with the
quality and service they provided, I have no doubts The Marmora Inn will be
providing sophisticated dining for many groups for years to come.
Bellies full, poets and audience straggled through downtown Marmora to the
island in the middle of the Crowe River dam. Marmora
singer/songwriter/guitar player Morley Ellis had already set up on the
island, and his powerful voice wafting over the waters helped guide people
to the final event site of the day.
Morley sang 4 or 5 songs before the Dam Poetry Reading began. At 6 pm. As
audience members drifted in, Morley upped the tempo with John Lennon’s
classic songs, “Workingclass Hero” and “Imagine”. Morley’s voice and guitar
playing had the crowd hooked, and delighted audience members shouted for him
to continue playing. An intuitive crowd-pleaser, Morley played “Man on the
Moon” by REM, and the crowd begged more. After several more songs, and
realizing the crowd might ask him to play all night, Morley finished with
the bittersweet Neil Young song, “Harvest Moon”.
Richard Grove of Brighton was the first of 5 feature poets to read. Richard
read poems about his experiences in Cuba on tours with The Canada-Cuba
Literary Alliance. Richard showed the downside as well as the mostly
positive side of modern Cuba, with poems about pollution in Havana Harbour
amidst the beauty and welcoming spirit of the Cuban people.
Next to read was fellow CCLA member RD Roy. RD Roy was introduced as a
street nurse in Belleville, and his dedication to this profession was noted
in his introduction. RD Roy dismissed personal claims to nobility, saying he
felt he owed more to the street people than they did to him.
Up-and-coming young People’s Poet Martin Durkin read next. Martin was raised
in this area, in Read, and he spent his youth learning the building trade
from his father. In his introduction, Martin said he has had to work even
harder at mastering the trade of poet. From his witty and hard-earned poems
Martin showed the benefits of his literary apprenticeship, what his mentor
Al Purdy called in a poem “The Crafte So Long to Lerne”.
Hamilton poet Jeff Seffinga was the fourth reader. He was introduced as the
master of more poetic forms than could be listed in a brief introduction.
Jeff read a haibun tribute to his recently departed wife which had audience
members wiping their eyes.
The fifth and closing feature poet was Hamilton poet and publisher James
Deahl. James has had poems published in over 100 magazines, and he has
published 17 books. He was introduced as the modern poet most representing
the noble tradition of People’s Poetry, a poet who has mentored dozens of
poets, who has traveled tirelessly and often lived a life near poverty in
order to publish the works of deserving poets. James wowed the audience with
the range and breadth and feeling of his poetry.
To the delight of the audience, an open set followed the feature poets. The
tone of the evening was so casual, so populist and inclusive, that at least
double the number of poets read in the open set as had been featured. One
poet, identified as Katharine from Montreal, had spent over a day traveling
to the Festival. Other readers were members of the CCLA who were scheduled
to read the next day in Brighton. Several young readers and one older reader
gave their first public recitations.
As dusk settled over Marble Point, the final reader read the last poem. The
culturally satisfied audience wandered off, and only the waters rushing
through the dam raceway were left to speak for another year.
PurdyFest events continued the next day in Brighton. I confess I was so
exhausted from months of organizing and a final hectic week of preparations,
that I was unable to attend these. Richard Grove, RD Roy, James Deahl and
other poets can tell the tales of that day’s successes.
Yesterday, August 6, the concluding event of this inaugural PurdyFest was a
picnic held by Al Purdy’s grave in Ameliasburgh. James Deahl, his 2
daughters Simone and Shona, and Jeff Seffinga and his guests Simon and
Melanie, drove 4 hours each way through holiday traffic from Hamilton to
visit with Al’s spirit. Anna Plesums and I also attended this casual and yet
most enjoyable poetry reading/goofy pseudo-séance/picnic. The sun came out,
the wind came up, and we lounged in the small carefully-tended settlers
graveyard by the old millpond in a valley. Purdy’s love of nature and his
sense of place were attested to by visits from a pair of turtles, who
cautiously enjoyed the proceedings from a floating log in the middle of the
pond. Near the end of the readings, with James Deahl leaning on Al’s grave,
book in hand on this convenient podium, a murder of crows flew over, Uncle
Milton Acorn giving his raucous and approving voice to the affair.
POETRY POWER!
Chris Faiers
zenriver@sympatico.ca
Note: I wrote this the morning of Tuesday, Aug.7/07, with some sense of
urgency. I haven’t taken my usual time to edit, or reflect for a few days,
as I wish to thank the participants while the glow of events is still on me.
Also a number of journalists have deadlines to meet, and this was also
written to give a quick summary of the Marmora events. I’d like to thank the
staff of “The Link”, “Upfront” and “Umbrella” magazines for their promotion
of PurdyFest. I’d also like to thank the staff of both local newspapers,
“The Shield” and “The Community Press” for giving us coverage the weekend
before events.
… and special thanks to Bill & Craig of The Marmora Inn
Click
on links below
— Festival Reading - "Dog
Days of August"
— Festival Reading - "Open Air"
— Children's Poetry Workshop - "Looking for Snowfleas Under the Hot August Sun"
— Children's Art Discovery
— Booth Exhibitors
— Booth Fees
— Location
— Bring
— Date
— Time
— CCLA Affiliates
— Purdy Country Literary Festival
— Overnight Retreat - discount to exhibitors
— Festival Reading - "Open Air"
— Children's Poetry Workshop - "Looking for Snowfleas Under the Hot August Sun"
— Children's Art Discovery
— Booth Exhibitors
— Booth Fees
— Location
— Bring
— Date
— Time
— CCLA Affiliates
— Purdy Country Literary Festival
— Overnight Retreat - discount to exhibitors
|
Bring the Family!!!
Artist booths, literary and book booths, refreshments, live open air stage with readings and music with a reading in the evening. Stay tuned for more information. We have booth/table space available for artists and authors. We will have an all day reading during the day from 1:30 to 5pm. Email us if you would like to be part of the open air mic. Visitors should bring a lawn chair for the Open Air readings. We will have an evening reading called Dog Days of August with 6 Canadian Authors in the evening - see reader list below. This one day CCLA Art and Lit Fest is linked to the Purdy Country Literary Festival that will be taking place in a number of locations in the area. You can find full information by clicking the link above. A special issue of "The Ambassador" - the CCLA literary journal, will be published with work considered by booth contributors and readers. You can navigate through this webpage quickly with the list of links on the left top of this page. |
Support our CCLA Affiliate Members |
The Temple Bookstore - http://www.thetemplebookstore.com Stellar Showcase Journal - http://www.stellarshowcasejournal.com/ |
|
"Open
Air"
Literary Reading MCed by RD Roy Readings will be held from 1:00 to 3pm Reader List: see bio's below Leah Browning Mark Clement Elizabeth Greene Kim Grove Mike Johnston Jennifer Londry David Pratt Kathryn Macdonald Bob MacKenzie Janet Richards Eric Wright Oni the Haitian Sensation See bios below: Leah Browning's fiction, poetry, essays, and articles have appeared in a variety of publications including The Saint Ann's Review, Literary Mama, Blood Orange Review, Salome Magazine, Autumn Sky Poetry, and Lily. Her website is1. www.leahbrowning.com. Mark Clement has been writing poetry all his adult life and has work published in various journals and anthologies. Mark is retired and spends most of his time writing and developing his poetry skills. He has 2 self-published chapbooks, Along the Path and Reading in Cobourg.Mark is a member of The Ontario Poetry Society and The Canadian Federation of Poets. Elizabeth Greene’s The Iron Shoes (poems) will be published by Hidden Brook Press in 2007. She has edited/coedited four books, most recently Kingston Poets' Gallery (Artful Codger Press, 2006). She lives in Kingston. Kim Grove is a new poet who usually puts her pen to prose. She has been published in The Christian Science Monitor, The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, The Boston Globe and Watershed. Mike Johnston is a Poet, short story writer, and playwright and retired engineer. He founded the Unionville Theatre Company for kids with learning disabilities. He and his wife, Carolyn adopted two orphans from 3rd world countries, raised them, and watch them love life now. Jennifer Londry. Beside a window in a little room Jennifer Londry writes. Kathryn MacDonald. The woods, fields and gardens of her Southeastern Ontario home provide inspiration for Kathryn MacDonald. Her poems have been published in Descant, The Fiddlehead, and Northward Journal (under the name Deneau) and more recently in Ascent Aspirations Magazine’s 2007 Poetry Issue. David Pratt. A former educator, he now spends as much time as possible in warm climates, including Cuba, where he studied at the University of Havana. His work has been published in numerous literary journals. Bob MacKenzie has intermixed writing, photography,
montage/collage, and performance. Poetry publications include:
The Dalhousie Review, Ball State University Forum, Poetry Canada Review, Canadian Author & Bookman, Alberta Poetry Yearbook, Tweed (Australia); in anthologies: Pine's the Canadian Tree, Souldust and Pearls. Janet Richards is a poet and journalist living in Ontario, Canada. Janet shares her home with her husband, three daughters, and a changeable number of pets." Eric Wright’s five published books include Through a Country Window, inspiring stories about country life in Northumberland. In his new book, The Lightning File, a journalist discovers a terrorist plot targeting US interests from Canada. |
|
"Dog Days of August" Literary Reading MCed by Mark Clement Location:
The Brighton Antiques Cafe 21 Meade Street, Brighton, Ontario 613-475-0342 (South off of Main Street a couple of blocks west of Memorial Park with plenty of parking) Time: Meet the authors - dinner / social gathering - 6:00pm Readings - 7:00 - 9:00pm See info about the cafe/restaurant - click here Our MC's bio Mark
Clement: "Dog Days of August" Reader List with Bios – Allan Briesmaster – James Dewar – John B. Lee – Deborah Panko – Susan Lynn Reynolds – RD Roy Allan Briesmaster: Among other things, Allan Briesmaster is a freelance editor, micro publisher, and literary consultant specializing in poetry and non-fiction. He was centrally involved in running the weekly Art Bar Poetry Reading Series in Toronto from 1991 until 2002, and is now one of the organizers of the popular monthly series, Toronto WordStage. As an editor, he has been instrumental in the production of over 40 books. Allan lives in Thornhill, ON, with his wife Holly, a visual artist. Three of his recent books, Pomona Summer, from Hidden Brook Press, and Urban-Pastoral and Galactic Music, both from Lyricalmyrical Press, included Holly's collages and pen-and-ink drawings. The Other Seasons, also from Hidden Brook, came out in May of last year. Allan's latest collection of poetry, Interstellar, from Quattro Books, was launched on February 28th. It reflects his continued interests in environmental matters, the impact of media, and the arts, and a lifelong fascination with science - especially astronomy and cosmology. James Dewar: James Dewar is a poet who actively promotes the popularization of poetry in the Toronto area through personal performances and by hosting poetry events. His first full-length book of poetry, The Garden in the Machine (March 2007) has just been published by Hidden Brook Press and has resulted in his invitation to join The League of Canadian Poets. His poetry has also been chosen for inclusion in many other publications previous to this, such as Quills, The Word Weaver and Labour of Love. His poems are anthologized in Renaissance Conspiracy Poetry Anthology (2004) and the follow-up, Renaissance Reloaded (2006) and his 2005 chapbook, Guys in Garages was very popular. James has been a regular host of the monthly Renaissance Conspiracy Poetry Reading Series for the last 3 years. He was the host of the Toronto Artbar Tribute to Irving Layton and has been organizing and hosting (with a laid-back, comedic flare) his own Poetry Reading Series, emphasizing audience participation, Hot-Sauced Words in Toronto for over a year. In addition to his regular appearances on Nik Beat's HOWL radio show on CIUT 89.5 FM, he has been a two time judge of the Dan Sullivan Memorial Poetry Contest and through his four year affiliation with the Writer’s Circle of Durham Region has offered workshops on every aspect of poetry from writing and editing, microphone usage and poetry feature-reading design strategies. His poetry course was available through Durham College in the winter of 2007 and he offers poetry workshops through the Oshawa Arts Council. James also helps other poets enjoy, edit and publish their own poetry via CreativeJames Publishing. (4chapbooks to date). Please see www.creativejames.com and his blog www.creativejames.wordpress.com for more information. John B. Lee: John B. Lee is the recipient of over 60 prestigious international awards in poetry. The most recent of his nearly 50 published books include How Beautiful We Are, winner of the 2006 Orion Souwesto Award; and Godspeed. Both books were published in 2006 by Black Moss Press. He was recently named winner of the Winston Collins Best Canadian Poem Award (Descant magazine). He lives with his wife Cathy in Brantford where he was named Poet Laureate of Brantford in perpetuity in 2006. His work has been translated into Spanish, Korean, French and Chinese. In the winter of 2007, he participated in CCLA events organized and hosted in Havana, Cuba. Twice featured in The Ambassador, his work has appeared internationally in over 500 publications. Deborah Panko: Deborah and her husband, Ron, moved to Cobourg three years ago. She joined the Cobourg Poetry Workshop and has been inspired and entertained by all of its members who share their work and give public readings each month at a local coffee house. She learned much about writing through teaching, her favourite material being poetry, and her favourite classes being Writer's Craft where her students were as excited about writing as she was. Starting with English as a Second Language in Algeria, Deborah went on to teach a variety of courses in different colleges and high schools, recently taking early retirement from the Toronto Board of Education. With the necessary autobiographical novel out of her system, poetry writing has now become a habit along with biking, playing the piano, watching birds and reading the classics. Writing poetry, for Deborah, provides a focus for what is happening to us and our world. Susan Lynn Reynolds: Susan Lynn Reynolds is a freelance writer and a creative writing instructor and has been teaching for 10 years, focusing on techniques learned in her work in New Mexico with Natalie Goldberg (of Writing Down the Bones) and in Massachusetts with Pat Schneider. Her recent literary work has appeared in Lichen Literary magazine and her short story “Gargoyles in Montmartre” was accepted for the British anthology Erotic Travel Tales 3. Her novel “Strandia” won the Canadian Library Association’s national award for Young Adult Novel of the Year. She is a three time winner of the Timothy Findlay Creative Writing Award for her poetry and short stories, and a winner of the Writer’s Circle of Durham Region’s 24 Hour Online Contest. Her emergence as a powerful voice for women in poetry resulted in her recent featured reading at the Diamond Cherry Reading Series in Toronto. She is doing her Masters in Psychology at Trent University where her focus is on writing for therapeutic benefit. Sue teaches creative writing to criminalized women in the Lindsay jail, work for which she has just been awarded the 2007 June Callwood Award for Outstanding Volunteerism by the Ministry of Citizenship. Please see www.goforwords.com for more information. RD Roy: R.D. Roy was raised and educated in Montreal, Quebec. He studied literature at the High School of Montreal, Dawson College, and a number of inner city coffee houses (where, he says, the best teachers were hanging out). He has published two collections of short stories (Panegyric Press) and a novella (Hidden Brook Press), and his work has appeared in Montreal’s Matrix magazine. Now living near Kingston, Ontario, he has been a regular reader in area coffee houses and poetry events. He was a featured reader at Queen’s University’s Dub Poetry festival in 2006. Roy, as member of the Canada Cuba Literary Alliance, participated in the recent Havana tour and was a featured reader at the Havana International Literary Festival. He is a contributing editor for the CCLA’s periodical, The Ambassador. For the past several years he has worked closely with many writers across Canada and is a member of PEN Canada. |
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Children's Poetry Workshop
"Looking for Snowfleas Under the Hot August Sun" by Diane Dawber 12:30 - 1:30pm Diane
and the workshop participants will give one another's amazing
experiences a good listening to and shape them into wonderful poems for performance.
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Children's Art Discovery
2 - 3pm Deb St, Amant invites the kids to join in an art discovery class.
Deb is a primary school teacher and Art Therapy specialist. |
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Individual Authors: - Allan Briesmaster - Mark Clement - Ellen Curry - Monkey lady - Diane Dawber - James Dewar - Graham Ducker - George Laidlaw - John B. Lee - Susan Lynn Reynolds - Melanie Martin - Shon McLean - Bob MacKenzie - Bonita Summers - Donna Wootton Small Presses and Associations - Stellar Showcase Journal - http://www.stellarshowcasejournal.com/ - Hidden Brook Press - www.HiddenBrookPress.com - Seraphim Editions - www.seraphimeditions.com. - Quattro Books - www.quattrobooks.ca - Aeolus House - www.aeolushouse.com - Dub Poetry Collective Artists - Holly Briesmaster - Water Colour - Chris Dawber - painter - Richard Grove - Digital Paintings - R.D. Roy - Photography - Anna - painting |
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The
First Annual
The inaugural PURDY COUNTRY
LITERARY FESTIVAL will be held the August holiday weekend in Marmora
and Brighton to celebrate People's Poetry.Purdy Country Literary Festival 2007 The CCLA Art and Lit Fest events are organized under the umbrella of The Purdy Country Literary Festival. More information to come. Saturday, Aug. 4th - 1 – 3 pm: A “Controversy” discussion in the William Shannon Room (library building). Host: James Deahl; recorded by author/academic Terry Barker for future publication Saturday, Aug. 4th 3:30 – 5:30 pm: Poetry parlour reading & cold buffet at The Marmora Inn B&B - Host: Allan Briesmaster Saturday, Aug. 4th 6 pm - ?: Open air poetry reading by the Marmora dam. Marmora musician Morley Ellis will open with John Lennon’s song “Workingclass Hero”; Poets: Richard Grove (Brighton), RD Roy (Kingston), James Deahl & Jeff Seffinga (Hamilton), Martin Durkin (raised this area), Laurence Hutchman (Doctorate on work of Al Purdy) The Dam Reading will include an OPEN SET when any author can read 2 poems or 5 minutes of their work. Host: Marmora poet Chris Faiers EVERYONE WELCOME! Sunday, Aug. 5th - 11am to 5pm - The CCLA Art and Lit Fest will feature art and literary booths. The art and literary festival will be held in Memorial Park, downtown Brighton, Ontari. Brighton is located south of the 401 on Lake Ontario, half way between Kingston and Toronto. Festival activities can be found on this page above. Sunday, Aug. 5th - 12:30 to 1:30pm - Children's Poetry Workshop "Looking for Snowfleas Under the Hot August Sun" presented by Diane Dawber Workshop information can be found on this page above. Sunday, Aug. 5th - 1:30 - 4pm - "Open Air" Lit Fest Reading MCed by RD Roy Location - Memorial Park - Brighton - same as the festival. Reader list can be found on this page above. Sunday, Aug. 5th - time and location to be announced. "Dog Days of August" Lit Fest Reading. Feature Readers will be Allan Briesmaster, James Dewar, John B. Lee, Deborah Panko, Susan Lynn Reynolds, RD Roy, with MC - Mark Clement. Reading information can be found on this page above. Contact Information: For Saturday events contact: Chris Faiers 613-472-6186 zenriver@sympatico.ca P.O. Box 69 Marmrora, ON Canada, K0K 2M0 For Sunday events contact: Richard M. Grove 613-475-2368 writers@HiddenBrookPress.com 109 Bayshore Rd. RR#4 Brighton, Ontario Canada, K0K 1H0 |
The Brighton Antiques Cafe
21 Meade Street
Brighton, Ontario
613-475-0342
Monday to Thursday 11am to 9pm
Friday and Saturday 11am to 11pm
(We are open for the Dog Days of August reading on Sunday Aug 5th)
Join us for lunch or dinner. We offer a vast selection of classic
lunch dishes for all tastes. We have select salads, fresh made
soups and sandwiches as well as the quiche of the day and hearty
pasta... or join us for dinner. We have a complete dinner menu
featuring a tantalizing selection of appetizers and entrees to suit
every palate including salad, pasta, rack of lamb, steaks, chicken
and much more.
Ask us about private functions, business meetings and group luncheons.
21 Meade Street
Brighton, Ontario
613-475-0342
Monday to Thursday 11am to 9pm
Friday and Saturday 11am to 11pm
(We are open for the Dog Days of August reading on Sunday Aug 5th)
Join us for lunch or dinner. We offer a vast selection of classic
lunch dishes for all tastes. We have select salads, fresh made
soups and sandwiches as well as the quiche of the day and hearty
pasta... or join us for dinner. We have a complete dinner menu
featuring a tantalizing selection of appetizers and entrees to suit
every palate including salad, pasta, rack of lamb, steaks, chicken
and much more.
Ask us about private functions, business meetings and group luncheons.
Retreat
Stay at a local retreat in Presqu'ile Provincial Park http://www.hiddenbrookpress.com/hbpRetreat.html |
More to come!
Come back soon!