The Writing Life #2

Hiromi Goto's book, Hopeful Monsters, is a must read. She gives a polished and expressive reading. Funny stuff. Creative writing classes did her well apparently. David Gilmour (tall man) has another potential best seller. Pick up his book, A Perfect Night to Go To China. For that matter, pick up Sparrow Nights, too. Melanie Little had some real talented guests on stage. Well done.

Tonight: 7:30 pm Writing Life #3 with John Metcalf; Kathryn Kuitenbrouwer; Nalini Warriar; Dionne Brand Hosted by Elizabeth Hay $12 / $10 for Students or Seniors / $8 for Festival Members After this show @ 9:30 pm Write Across Canada with Sheila Heti, Tess Fragoulis Nalini Warriar, and Alan Cumyn Hosted by Sean Wilson (A FREE EVENT)


Later on, the poetry cabaret really did come together rather nicely. This was the best mix of world poetry on one stage that the Wilson's put together to date. The earlier event in the evening which showed the documentary film Capidava by the Romanian Dr. Cristian Matei was a bit of a stinker, but hell, it was a free event.

The cabaret was hosted by the talented David O'Meara which his three guests read from their works of poetry. John Terpstra (Canada) gave well-crafted readings influenced by the Niagra escarpment in Disarmament. Wonderful images. Erik Lindner (Netherlands) well, this guy could read from the proverbial phone book and enthrall an audience. This guy had most of his poems memorized. Talented. O'Meara provided the English translation of Lindner's poems simultaneously. Taja Kramberger (Slovenia) wrapped up the trio of readings with her very personal book of poetry and also finished with a poem in her own language. I was glad I stuck around for this late night performance.