WOTS 2008

An amazing, gorgeous, sunny day. I could only stay an hour as I had a plane to catch, but here are some random impressions...

Illustrator, CWILL BC member and now Canadian Children's Book Centre rep Cynthia Nugent chats with a fan.



Crowd shot of folks listening to poetry being read. And in the centre of it all? Vancouver Poet Laureate George McWhirter (in the very fetching cap).

At the Canadian Authors Association booth, author and president Margaret Hume chats with an aspiring writer.

CWILL BC's author Meg Tilly chats about her new book FIRST TIME with Vancouver author Susan Juby.

I wish I could have stayed longer!

~kc

Edmonton Under Fan

Am currently at the Canadian Authors Association CanWrite Conference in Edmonton, a hot town with plenty of cool writers these days.

Suzanne Harris and her gang have put on a fabulous event, and I listened to a number of excellent speakers today. This evening I watched a performance done by the Spoken Word Choir, under the direction of author and creative hurricane Gail Sidonie Sobat. The group is made up of a bunch of teens who love to write, and they gave a knock-down performance that wowed the audience gathered at the Timm Centre for the CAA national Literary Award Readings.

Unfortunately, my camera battery died mid-day today, (too many pictures of baby Ronan in Calgary, methinks), but I should have a few shots to post when I get home.

Just posted a discussion of the terms 'advanced' and 'master' writer at the SiWC blog, too.

Now off to escape the heat with a cold shower and a fan...

~kc

On Teaching, Writing, Conferences and One Sweet Baboo

Where to begin....

I've been running on too little day for all those things needing my attention, lately, so will try to catch up here a bit.


Let's start with a shout out to James McCann's CWC class, who welcomed me as their guest-teacher last week. We talked about escape and time travel and had a wickedly competitive game of pictionary with words from the very funny (very Dalh-esque) YOU ARE A BAD MAN, MR. GUM, by Andy Stanton.



These shots (deliberately anonymous) were taken as the kids spent time on their own writing projects. By the end of the session, each student will have written a novel to call their own.















On Wednesday night, I had a great time participating in a panel discussion on the subject of writing for young people. The evening was put on by the Canadian Authors Association, and fellow author (and CWILL BC members) James McCann and Meg Tilly were the other panel members. We had a packed house, and the questions from the audience (and from most excellent moderator Jean Kay) drove the evening. Two hours went by in a flash. Thanks to all the CAA exec for their warm welcome!

While we're on the subject, one of the things on my agenda for this summer is to attend CanWrite, the CAA AGM in Edmonton this year. Conference coordinator Suzanne Harris and her team are going to put on a great show.

And to finish, for now -- allow me to formally introduce Ronan:



You've seen his picture before, but now that he is actually home in Calgary, I can proudly proclaim him as my newest canine nephew -- cousin to Seamus and Silas Ermineskin. (Silas is currently in the doghouse [both literal and figurative] after eating the steering wheel of the vehicle in which he was reposing during the lacrosse game today. Pictures to follow.)

Of course, Ronan will never do anything like that.

Isn't he a beauty?


~kc

Celebrate Black History Month in Vancouver!

At the Seasonal Event for the Canadian Authors Association, Vancouver Branch last December, I had the opportunity to sit with a most amazing and engaging woman. Her name is Ugette Ebony Johnson, and she is the brains and the energy behind The Vancouver Pan African Film Festival.

Ugette is a woman with a passion. In 2007, she threw all her resources into creating the remarkable achievement of the first Vancouver Pan African Film Festival. Now she has turned her attention to celebrating Black History Month with a remarkable film and arts festival.

Looking for something EXTREMELY cool to do this weekend?
Check this out:

You are invited!
Travelling Pan African Film & Arts Festival African Heritage/Black History Month 2008, showcasing contemporary issues and expressions of the world's African/"Black" Diaspora for a Canadian audience.

A Canadian Heritage Celebration through Dialogue & Art
Officially proclaimed by the Province of British Columbia as "Black History Month"
VPAFF TPAFF Event Co-presented by Shadbolt Centre for the Arts
6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby

(near City Hall see www.vpaff.org for map)

11:00am - 11:00pm

Breath Control: The History of the Human Beat Box (everything you need to know about beat boxing)
When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts (Social Justice)
The Origins of AIDS (Social Justice)
Wormhead, Canadian Premiere (Youth & anti-bullying, anti-racism/African Animation)

Afrikan World Civilizations (African Achievements)
Destiny Found: BC's Early Black Settlers, Ralph Taylor
What is Pan Africanism? Albert Smith
Door Prize
Cabaret Pavilion (featuring Vancouver's raw and seasoned talent)
Contact us to find out how to bring TPAFF to your event: info@vpaff.org
See full Program: www.vpaff.org

ABOUT THE VANCOUVER PAN AFRICAN FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL (VPAFF)
The Vancouver Pan African Film & Arts Festival aims to inspire contemplation through its programs. We wish to engage our audience in dialogue - inter-cultural dialogue - towards community solidarity primarily through film and art. Our mandate encompasses the commitment to present films of historical and political intrigue that reflect the moral dilemmas of our times under the segment "Human Rights Conscience." We wish to showcase a broad range of creative artworks by Africans in the global Diaspora, and we invite you to "Cast Yourself!" under the protective shade of the majestic Baobab tree!

CONTACT FESTIVAL PRODUCER:
Executive Director & Producer
Ms. U. E. Johnson

778-887-8438

~kc