Toronto Small Press Book Fair on Saturday!

This Saturday, May 26th from 11am-5pm is the twice-yearly Small Press Book Fair at Trinity St. Paul's Centre (427 Bloor St. W., just west of Spadina). Come out and see what local small press publishers, editors, writers and book-makers are up to!

I'll be launching the twelfth issue of my literary zine dig., featuring poetry, fiction, interviews, and unique handmade covers.

There will be readings throughout the day, an Instant Anthology, and probably door prizes.

Free admission, affordable ephemera.

See you there!

Evangelical Transit?

What's up with the bible quotations in the subway?!

I did a little poking around the "Bus Stop Bible Studies" website, and it seems they are a Canadian (Scarborough) registered charity, not directly affiliated with any particular religious group other than "Christian." The transit ads quote biblical verses and list information on how to register for a bible study, how to find god, how to become a Christian, and how to donate money to this organization (presumably so they can post more dogma in the subway...).

They must have anticipated some backlash against the public promotion of their beliefs and recruitment, because they've included on their website a pdf of the TTC's advertising standards.

I for one found it jarring to see a scripture where I would normally see an ad for some product I don't need. I've never noticed advertisements promoting a non-Christian religion on the TTC before; has anyone else? I'm usually reading so I may have missed it if this is common practise, but somehow I don't think it is.

My god. What is going on? Is Toronto going all Evangelical like so many areas of the U.S.?

David Byrne & Daniel Levitin on music and neuroscience

Brilliant musician and artist David Byrne and neuroscientist and author of This is Your Brain on Music Daniel Levitin discuss music, language, memory and the brain. Pretty cool stuff, check it out:

http://www.seedmagazine.com/news/2007/04/david_byrne_daniel_levitin.php?page=all&p=y