Evelyn Lau has just started what will be a busy week as Distinguished Visiting Writer at the University of Calgary. An accomplished writer from Vancouver Lau has served as that city’s poet laureate and been recognized with several awards and nominations. Her first book Runaway: Diary of a Street Kid was made into a CBC TV movie starring Sandra Oh. Lau will be participating in three events as part of her short residency including: One Woman’s Life: A Talk by Evelyn Lau on Thursday February 5 at 7 p.m. at the Women’s Centre; The Diary of Evelyn Lau: Transforming a Book into Film on Friday February 6 at Plaza Theatre; and An Evening of Poetry with Evelyn Lau on Saturday February 7 at 7 p.m. at the Arrata Opera Centre. All events are free but registration is required.
If you’re more interested in exploring Calgary’s “sacred cows and taboo topics” you can expect a lively discussion at PEN Canada’s Don’t Fence Me In. The organization which champions free speech and helps writers who face persecution for expressing their views is holding its first-ever event in Calgary on Thursday February 5. Award-winning writer Chris Turner and associate professor Patrick Finn of the University of Calgary’s School for Creative and Performing Arts will consider questions such as: “Does Calgary’s booster-driven cultural scene silence criticism?” “Does the city’s reputation for an independent-minded cowboy’s approach to business include open conversation about faults and shortcomings?” The event takes place at 7 p.m. at Shelf Life Books.
If those literary events are of interest you might also want to keep track of WordFest’s schedule of book club-themed events — the next one in the lineup is being held February 23 in recognition of Freedom to Read Week but more details on that at a later date.
The Kinkonauts will be fulfilling a company-wide dream by launching into song this week if you believe artistic director Owen Chan (which you probably shouldn’t). The improv troupe will be presenting The Improvised Musical which will be created on the spot based on a suggestion from the audience. The performances are part of the improv troupe’s third showcase of the season which runs until February 7 at Birds and Stone Theatre and also features Obviously Improv Mixtape Presents special guests and more (kinkonauts.com).
Award-winning Edmonton artist Jill Stanton’s Dream City Series (pictured) is currently showing on a billboard near you — and across Canada — as part of the Alberta Biennial of Contemporary Art. Best known for her comic book illustrations Stanton’s animated GIFs described as “dreamscapes” are being presented on digital screens in the Calgary airport Edmonton LRT Toronto subway and malls throughout the country as part of an initiative to extend the art exhibition beyond provincial borders (artintransit.ca). Meanwhile the intentionally under-the-radar Calgary Biennial continues with artworks infiltrating public spaces until the end of March — keep your eyes open and go to calgarybiennial.ca for more information about what you’re looking for.
