Inspiring words
Since 1995, the 麻豆传媒映画Book and Magazine Fair Society has produced The Word On The Street Vancouver, the primary literary festival for Western Canadian book lovers and literacy enthusiasts.
This year, the festival underwent a metamorphosis and emerged as a new name and feel for a growing festival, with the same reading and writing fun.
The festival has expanded to five days and now attracts an average of 30,000 attendees to events taking place at Carnegie Community Centre, Banyen Books & Sound, Historic Joy Kogawa House, Library Square, and other venues.
All events are free and will take place between Sept. 25 to 29 and big festival day happens on Sunday the 29th, in and around the Central Branch of the 麻豆传媒映画Public Library (350 W. Georgia, between Robson and Georgia and Hamilton and Homer).
Theres also a poetry theme this year check out automated poetry vending machines on site, a peace poem, and an amazing day of poetry in the poetry tent.
Then wander down for musical performances, author readings and panel discussions, and take part in free workshops. Canadian authors and book and magazine exhibitors are all gathered to share their passion for words and stories.
This years festival features many amazing writers, including: Peter Darbyshire, Cynthia Flood, Rawi Hage, Irene Watts, Adam Hart, Dennis Foon, Arno Kopecky, Mary Novik, Daniel Kalla, Mark Leiren-Young, Carellin Brooks, Shaena Lambert, Janie Chang, bill bissett, Amber Dawn, Evelyn Lau, Brad Cran, George Stanley, Moreka Jolar & Heidi Scheifley, Julie Flett, Robert Heidbreder, Gary Kent, Caroline Adderson, and Rachelle Delaney.
Heres a taste of all of Word 麻豆传媒映画2013, day by day, venue by venue:
Paper Hound
Word 麻豆传媒映画begins today at the Paper Hound Bookshop with poetry readings by Evelyn Lau and Pam Bentley. Wednesday Sept. 25: The Paper Hound Bookshop (344 West Pender Street), 12:30 p.m.
Carnegie Centre
On Thursday, September 26, various activities will take place at Carnegie Centre including a chapbook workshop and an open mic! Thursday Sept. 26: Carnegie Community Centre (401 Main St.), 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Cottage Bistro
At the Cottage Bistro on Thursday, the Twisted Poets Literary Salon presented by Pandoras Collective takes place. Share in an evening of literary surprises in an encouraging environment. An open mic session follows featured readings from Celeste Snowber and Carl Leggo. Thursday Sept. 26: The Cottage Bistro (4468 Main St.), 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Historic Joy Kogawa House
Also, on Thursday, Historic Joy Kogawa House features Genesis of Play and Screenwriting with Dennis Foon. Dennis discusses his success as a writer and reads from a selection of his favourite works. Friday Sept. 27: Historic Joy Kogawa House (1450 West 64th Ave.), 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
VPL downtown, Saturday:
Free professional development workshops for writers and publishers! Saturday Sept. 28: Central Branch, VPL (350 West Georgia St.), 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
VPL downtown, Sunday:
Sunday Sept. 29: Library Square (in and around VPL central branch), 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Canada Writes Tent This tent features fiction and non-fiction. Highlights include fiction writers such as VPL writer-in-residence Rawi Hage; Peter Darbyshire; Mary Novik; Daniel Kalla; Shaena Lambert; and, Janie Chang and non-fiction authors such as The Power of Food author, Adam Hart; Sexy Sick Chick Lit with Kim Clark and Robyn Michele Levy; and, memoir by Mark Leiren-Young.
Poetry Tent This years poetry tent features a full day of poets! Here are just a few: Amber Dawn, George Stanley, bill bissett, and current and past poet laureates of Vancouver, Evelyn Lau and Brad Cran.
Kids Words and Family Literacy Tent Check out fun, interactive family activities all day in the Family Literacy Tent and readings in the Kids Words reading area inside the library. Readers include: Julie Flett, Roy Henry Vickers and Robert Lucky Budd, Rachelle Delaney, and Caroline Adderson.
Mainstage Festival Central on the steps of Library Square, hosted by David C. Jones music galore and so much more! Acts include Barbara Adler with FANG; a UBC Creative Writing celebrates 50 years anniversary presentation; and, a performance by Jillian Christmas and Chelsea D. E. Johnson.
Magazine Words This venue is a showcase of activities by Canadian magazines demonstrations, panel discussions, and readings. A few activities include: Ricepaper Haiku Death Match with Kim Fu and Elaine Woo, a wellness discussion with BC Living, and Redefining The Skater presented by Color Magazine.
On site Various activities will take place on site, inside and out. Check out Mascall Dance and Radix Theatres Letters. Step inside and dictate your letter to an unseen typist working on a vintage typewriter. The letter will be mailed for you or you can mail it yourself. In the Moat (downstairs in the library), visitors will find This Must Be The Place Photo Project presented by Sad Mag.
Therell also be a Scavenger Hunt for families. Follow the clues and win a prize. For just $1 purchase the Scavenger Hunt Card. And, take part in our Book Bag Treasure Hunt. Gather treasure and explore the festival site! For just $20, visitors will get a festival book bag with our new logo printed on it that they can then use to collect treasures from participating exhibitors at the festival.
Some of these activities are part of the Unwritten Word project Words and stories are not always written down. The Unwritten Word project explores other forms of expressing stories and ideas, spoken and visual.
Downstairs Word Talks readings and panel discussions; and, Writing Talks editing, publishing, and writing explored from different angles.
