Kate Sutherland and Stuart Ross' book launch

On Sunday, April 22 Kate and Stuart launched their new books together at Clinton's Tavern. Kate's is a new short story collection called All In Together Girls (Thistledown Press) and Stuart's is a collection of poems called I Cut My Finger (Anvil Press). Both writers gave great readings from their books, really engaging, they sold lots of copies. After the reading, Eric Bridenbaker played an acoustic set of his songs, and then much carousing ensued.

The launch was packed, and it was great to see so many familiar faces. I enjoyed hosting the event, but the only drawback is that when I host a reading, I find it harder to listen attentively to the readings, so I'm really looking forward to reading their two new books.

Here are some photos from the night. I can't seem to get the captions to appear beneath the photos, but there are shots of Kate, Stuart and Eric performing on stage, as well as me hosting (holding up copies of the books), social shots of Kate, Stuart, Alexandra Leggat, Bryan Muraki, Sandra Alland, and Jon Paul Fiorentino.

Simon Armitage reading

I'm behind on posting about a lot of different events and books at the moment, but I'll start catching up chronologically.

On Wednesday, April 18 I went to hear Simon Armitage read at Harbourfront Centre. I didn't think he read for long enough, only about 4-6 poems, but it was a great opportunity to hear his poems in his very own fantastic voice. He read mostly from his newest book Tyrannosaurus Rex Versus the Corduroy Kid, and started off with "I Am a Sperm Whale" and ended with the incantation-like "You're Beautiful."

I didn't stay for the q&a afterward but if I had, I would have liked to ask about the work he did writing lyrics for the wonderful film "Songbirds," and how his process for writing lyrics differs (if it does) from that of poetry.

I was surprised to see so few local poets to see him (Ken Babstock being the only other one I recognized); I mean, it's not like you get a chance to hear or meet Simon Armitage in Toronto very often.

Radio, Radio

Starting this summer, I will be hosting a radio show on CKLN 88.1. The program is called "In Other Words" and as you might suspect, it's a literary show. I will be hosting once a month, on the last Tuesday afternoon of the month at 2pm.

I'm really excited about this opportunity, as I love radio and have always wanted to produce and/or host a show. The sad part of it is that I'm replacing the amazing Sandra Alland, who is leaving the country for a while.

It will be tough to fill in for her but I'm hoping I'll bring something unique to the show. I intend to do lots of author-interviews and live readings and discussions and play some recordings too.

Before flying solo on the airwaves, I'll be on the show with Sandra on April 24 at 2pm.


RADIO RADIO by Elvis Costello

Exclaim! Hockey Summit - Crazy Pictures

Here are some photos from yesterday's fun, both on the ice and at Lee's Palace. Our victorious team is The Golden Girls, and the band shots are of the team Chart Attack Hack's performance. Participating teams are required to contribute "artistic expression" to the Hootenanny at Lee's... but ours was an exhibition game, so no stage hijinx for us. Maybe next year!

We Won!

Well, we won the women's game of the Exclaim! Hockey Summit of the Arts, 1-0. What an amazingly fun time. Holy crap, that was some crazy fun times. Video and photos forthcoming. Just home to change and have anothter beer, and off soon to the band-fest Hootenanny at Lee's. Hurray!

I've gotten to do a lot of my two favourite things lately: editing, and playing hockey.

Yay!

Hockey Rock!

I'm really excited to be playing in The 9th Annual Exclaim! Hockey Summit of the Arts this weekend.

Our team is The Golden Girls (no we are not seniors!) and we're playing against the awesomely-named Blackhearts. There is live music - "rink rock" - during the games, and most of the teams have bands which will perform each night at Lee's Palace in the Hootenanny cabaret (tonight, Friday night, and Saturday night).

It's going to rock!

If you want to come out and cheer us on, we're playing at 6pm on Saturday at York University's Canlan Ice Sports arena on Rink A. Maps and such are here. There are also a magic shuttle bus running from Bathurst Subway station up to York.

I hope we kick ass, of course, but regardless, I think it's going to be a wicked fun time.

So there!

THE HOCKEY SONG - Stompin' Tom Connors, of course

Simon Armitage

Simon Armitage is reading in Toronto! That's pretty exciting. I just bought my ticket for his reading at Harbourfront on April 18.

Who's with me?