Lots of readings TOFU working with oil and more
Phew — I’m only now recovering from my Harry Potter hangover. Between the midnight street party on Stephen Avenue the all-night reading sessions and the stress of concealing spoilers from those who haven’t finished yet it’s been a messy week. Ah but the mess isn’t over yet — it’s Calgary Folk Music Festival time. I’ll be working in the beer gardens so if you’re looking for a good low-foam pour pay me a visit. Perhaps more importantly however TOFU is playing. Tons of Fun University consists of C.R. Avery Shane Koyczan and Mike McGee three incredible spoken-word performers who come together as an explosive poetic trio. They have three performances on Prince’s Island Park — on July 28 they play Stage 5 at 11:30 a.m. and Stage 6 at 12:40 p.m. then on July 29 they play Stage 6 at 11:25 a.m. Jesus and Mary Magdalene are all set for the Second Coming but the Great God Convention wants nothing to do with it. The Orishas the Aesir the Faerie the Greek Pantheon Patriarchy Inc. and more get together for polytheistic pandemonium in The Forgotten Ones by McNally Robinson’s own Douglas Ferguson who reads on his home turf on July 26 7 p.m. The title says it all: Want to Work in Oil & Gas? Strategies for Finding a Great Job in Calgary’s Hot Energy Sector. If that’s you then join Catherine Brownlee at McNally Robinson on July 27 noon where she’ll sign copies of her book and dish out some handy career advice. July is almost over (already?) heralding the end of the Literary Journalism Conversations. The last event promises to be a sizzler though as CBC personality and acclaimed author Bill Richardson closes off the series with “One Chaste Kiss or One Thing Leads to Another.” Drawing from his librarian training Richardson explores random connections in a world that seemingly has none. Don’t miss this exceptional speaker at The Banff Centre’s Rolston Recital Hall on July 30 8 p.m. Therapy and standup comedy united at last. David Granirer presents a unique approach to self-help in The Happy Neurotic: How Fear and Angst Can Lead to Happiness and Success. Don’t fight your neuroses — use them. Granirer hits McNally Robinson on July 31 noon. Ever wondered why it’s called the Kicking Horse Pass? In the mid-1800s during the Palliser Expedition geologist James Hector’s horse fell in the river. As he tried to help it back to land the horse kicked him in the chest. He was knocked unconscious and thinking him dead his companions dug him a grave. Fortunately someone noticed his chest was moving before they managed to bury him alive. That was just one of his many adventures in the Canadian Rockies and Ernie Lakusta has more to share in The Intrepid Explorer a vivid portrait of Hector’s life and travels. Lakusta reads at the Memorial Park Library on July 31 7 p.m. It’s time for a changing of the guard at the flywheel reading series. To celebrate all the previous curators (myself Christopher Blais and ryan Fitzpatrick) will join the new team (Emily Elder Bronwyn Haslam and Natalie Zina Walschots) for a jam-packed evening of wordplay. I’m writing some brand-new material for the occasion… and if that’s not enough to grab you rumours are flying that Blais will show up in a Princess Peach dress. Join the mayhem at McNally Robinson on August 2 7 p.m.
