poetry (reading) month, part two

Attempting to attend all of the next two week's poetry readings may be dangerous for one's health. If you're looking to cut down, I'd focus on the two I'm participating in (though I wouldn't blame you for a second if you picked the Al Purdy parties)...


Robson Reading Series: Launch of the Open Wide a Wilderness Anthology of Canadian nature poetry
Monday, April 20th, 7:00 PM
UBC Bookstore at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street
Featuring: Tim Lilburn, David Zieroth, Barbara Nickel, and more.
FREE


The Al Purdy Party Tribute Night
Tuesday, April 21st, 8:00 - 11:00 PM
Cafe Deux Soleils, 2096 Commercial Drive
Featuring: George Bowering, Lionel Kearns, Peter Trower, and more.
$5-$15 sliding scale (fundraiser for the Purdy A-Frame Project)


A Verse Map of Vancouver Launch
Tuesday, April 21st, 7:00 PM
Vancouver Central Library, Alice McKay Room
Featuring: Sandy Shreve, George Stanley, John Pass, ME! and more.
FREE


Rocksalt Reading @ the Main Street Literary Tour
Thursday, April 23rd, 7:45 - 8:20 PM
The Grind, 4124 Main Street
Featuring: Daniela Elza, Trevor Carolan, ME! and more.
FREE


Robson Street Reading Series
Thursday, April 23rd, 7:00 PM
UBC Bookstore at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street
Featuring: David O'Meara and Elise Partridge
FREE


Al Purdy A-Frame Fundraiser
Sunday, April 26th, 3:00 - 10:00 PM
Heather and Josef's Place (email hshaley(at)emspace.com for details/directions), Bowen Island
Featuring: George Bowering, Peter Trower, Jamie Reid, Heather Haley, and more.
By Donation?


World Poetry Reading Series
Monday, April 27th, 7:00 PM
Vancouver Central Library, Lower Level
Featuring: Jacob Scheier, Bonnie Nish, Sita Carboni, and more.
FREE


PRISM Poetry Reading
Thursday, April 30th, 7:30pm - 10:30 pm
Pulp Fiction Books
2422 Main Street
Featuring: Jacob Scheier and Sonnet L'Abbé
FREE


David Zieroth Book Launch: The Fly in Autumn
Friday, May 1st, 7:30 PM
32 Books, 3185 Edgemont Boulevard, North Vancouver
Featuring: David Zieroth (shocker!)
FREE


And I even left a few readings out! Most notable among them being the rest of the readings at the Main Street Literary Tour, which you should take in in its entirety.

I'd been feeling lousy about having to miss the Al Purdy tribute (in order to attend the launch of A Verse Map of Vancouver, featuring my poem "Down One at The Nat"), Al being someone I've never hidden my affection for.

It was therefore that much more wonderful that I got a note recently from Verse Map editor George McWhirter asking me to read Purdy's "Piling Blood" at the launch. An incredible honour and a great opportunity to keep Al out there on his day.

Marta and I are leaving town for a three-week road trip on Thursday - hope to see a few people at readings before I'm off!