Miramichi Blog

The Moncton Chapter of the Professional Writers Association of Canada will host two skills-building workshops this fall on photography and editing.

Renowned British Columbia photographer John Watson will present the first workshop on October 3 at the Moncton Public Library, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. "Take Photos that Sell" is a full-day session that provides the information and techniques for creating better photographs. The event is tailored for beginning photographers and writers/journalists who want to use their images to accompany articles, enhance a website or build a stock library.

Watson will discuss key elements for good photos and provide information on how to sell photos, what magazine editors are looking for, submission requirements, and more. There will be a presentation followed by a shooting session with 'assignments' and critiques.

Watson began his professional career as a weekend photographer for the local newspaper in Charlottetown, when he was just 15. After receiving his basic education at Holland College, John opened Imagemaker Photographic Studio in 1989. Four years later, he relocated his business to Vancouver, BC, but maintains ties with PEI and often returns to the region on assignment.

John's photographs have appeared on the covers of books and magazines in Hong Kong, the UK, USA, Canada and Europe, and have graced the inside pages of many publications around the world. To view his work, visit his website at imps.ca

Cost is $85 and includes refreshments. Participants are responsible for their own lunch. Payment is required in advance. Please pre-register by emailing your name and telephone number to info@monctonwriters.ca and put "Photography Workshop" in the subject line. Payment is accepted by cheque made payable to "Moncton Chapter PWAC" and mailed to: Deborah Carr, 143 Taylor Lane, Hillsborough, NB, E4H 3C7. The deadline for registration is September 25. Class size limited to 15, so register early to avoid disappointment.

Editing Workshop
The second editing workshop, cheekily called "The Secrets of Sin (oops..Syntax)" will be led by by Frances Peck at the Moncton Press Club on November 6 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.This seminar looks at syntax from various angles, including how to shape it for different documents and readers.

Topics covered include subordination and coordination, periodic versus cumulative sentences, proximity of subject and verb, echo words, and special techniques such as ellipsis and isolation. This is the fourth in a series of very popular editing workshops Peck has given in the Maritimes (which means they fill up fast!).

Cost is $150 for members of provincial writers' associations and $170 for general public. Price includes the seminar, workbook, coffee breaks, and lunch. Advance payment is required to confirm registration. Registration deadline is October 23. Seating is limited to 25 participants, so register early to avoid disappointment.

For any queries, please email info@monctonwriters.ca or call Deborah Carr at 506-734-2367.

Visit the Moncton Writers website at monctonwriters.ca for information on these and other upcoming workshops and events of interest to writers and editors.

Labels: arts, culture, workshop

Wade Hallihan and Kyle Richardson are Half-Snapped!
Join them tonight at O'Donaghue's Pub in downtown Chatham for the very best of a good time!
10pm - 2am
www.odonaghuespub.com

Labels: arts, culture, event, Miramichi, music

Date: Thursday, August 20, 2009
Time: 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Location: Saltwater Sounds, 1738 Water Street Miramichi, NB
Phone: 506.773.8010
Email: editor@breadnmolasses.com

This month the Words on Water series is happy to have Carla Gunn with us to read from her acclaimed debut novel, Amphibian.

Along with writing, Carla Gunn works as an occupational consultant and teaches psychology. Her writing has been published in the Globe and Mail, the National Post and heard on CBC radio. Raised in rural Miramichi, she now lives in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

About Amphibian:

Nine-year-old Phineas William Walsh has an encyclopedic knowledge of the natural world. He knows that if you wet a dog's food with your saliva and he refuses to eat it then he's top dog, and he knows that dolphins can sleep half a brain at a time. What he doesn't know, though, is why his grandfather died, or why waste-of-flesh Lyle always picks on him. Or why his parents can't live together -- after all, when other mate-for-life animals have a fight, it's not like one of them just packs his bags and leaves the country.

To make it to-infinity worse, he's worried sick about what humans are doing to the planet, and his mother is worried sick about him. But shouldn't everyone be losing sleep over the fact that a quarter of all Earth's mammals are on the Red List of Threatened Species? So, when a White's tree frog ends up in an aquarium in his fourth-grade classroom, it's the last straw, and he and his best friend, Bird, are spurred to action.

Praise for Amphibian:

"Carla Gunn has fashioned (more likely been possessed by) an irresistible voice. I confess this kid grabbed me from the top and held me in tender thrall." – Globe and Mail

"Sometimes you start reading a book and fall in love by page two. That's what happened when I tore through Carla Gunn's novel Amphibian ... [A] sparkling, memorable debut." – The Coast

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And, as WOW has each month, we have a theme for the evening. This month's theme is "Environment". So dig out any stories, songs, poems or skits with an Environmental theme that you've crafted and share it with an attentive and warm audience during the open mic portion of our evening. Or, if you'd like to share something with us that does not have to do with the theme, that's ok too. We'd love to hear from everyone!

Admission is free, but donations are happily accepted to help us continue with the Words on Water series.

Labels: arts, culture, event, Miramichi, music, tourism, Words on Water

Front book cover pictured right of limited edition (250 print run) Come Home to the River coffee table book.

These soft covered (in colour) books feature 200 pages of photographs and short stories including 60 pages of colour pictures and 140 pages of black and white photos. The book measures 8.5 inches by 11 inches with a perfect bind. It is a magnificent book containing picture and story submissions about this stretch of the Main Southwest Miramichi River and its people. The book includes photographs of community area schools, the footbridge, homesteads, work, stores, churches, families - just about anything and everything that depicts the past and present lifestyle in this area.

The price is $30 per book. (Shipping costs not included.) To obtain your copy, you must pre-order with your deposit of the full purchase price. Only 250 copies are available.

Contact Viola O'Donnell Savage at (506) 459-3938 or via email at vhsavage@nbnet.nb.ca

Remember the Come Home to the River - McNamee event happens this weekend August 14-16. For more information and to register visit www.comehometotheriver.com

Labels: arts, culture, event, festivals, Miramichi, music, tourism

Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: Rodd Miramichi 1809 Water St. Miramichi, NB
Phone: 506.843.2208
www.thelighthouseevents.com

Tickets are $10 and can be acquired through Genesis Spa and Salon or by calling/emailing LIFE Radio and thelighthouseevents.com for more details.

A bit of history on Warren:

Born in Goldsboro, North Carolina, Barfield's music is often classified as a mix of pop, rock, folk, and soul. His compositions are largely inspired by the Christian writers, Brennan Manning and Philip Yancey. He was part of the "In the Name of Love Tour" in 2005 with Todd Agnew and BarlowGirl. In 2004, he toured with Toby McKeehan and Third Day.

Discography

* Worth Fighting For (2008)
* Reach (2006)
* Warren Barfield (2003)

www.facebook.com/warrenbarfield
www.myspace.com/warrenbarfield
www.youtube.com/warrenbarfield

Labels: arts, culture, event, Miramichi, music

For those who are interested in the Writers in the Schools (WiSP) program, the registration deadline is fast approaching. Ginny Hill, the WiSP administrator, would like confirmations of participation by August 25.

There have been changes this year, including the honorarium being increased to $250 per school visit, but also the requirement of a police check (a necessity that can't be worked around).

If you wish to participate you may write Ginny Hill - Ginnyh@nb.sympatico.ca - for more information.

Labels: arts, culture, Job Opportunity, Miramichi, program

Closing Concert
Time: 6:00 P.M.
ADMISSION: $25.00, by reservation only, Weekly pass will also cover this show.
Location: Beaverbrook Kin Centre, 100 Newcastle Blvd
Featuring: Whoop Step & Driver (A History of the Miramichi Folksong Festival) Written by Bernie Colepaugh and performed by the Heritage players.
Sponsored by: Econolodge & City Square Restaurant, 365 Pleasant St., Miramichi, NB.

Labels: arts, culture, event, festivals, Miramichi, music

Noon Luncheon with live music
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Beaverbrook Kin Centre, 100 Newcastle Blvd.
Tickets: Adults :$12.00 Children : $5.00
Featured Music: 11:30 a.m. - singer - Robbie Currie from Halifax
12:00 Noon - singer - John Lordon & David Bunnell
12.30 p.m. - singer- BobMcCallum
Reservation can be made for the first seating only
By Phone: (506) 622-1780 or by
E-mail: bb2@sympatico.ca or ph. 506-611-1780
Sponsored by Rodd Miramichi River

Story Telling Workshop
Time: 2:00 pm
Location: Beaverbrook Kin Centre, 100 Newcastle Blvd.
Tickets: Free
Featured Music: Peter Pacey, Bull of the woods from Fredericton, N.B.

SPECIAL GUESTS
Ivan & Vivian Hicks, New Brunswick's ambassadors of fiddle music and 2008 ECMA winners, plus Robert Currie, Gerry Roberts, Steve Heckbert, Cathy Daigle, David Stone, Melanie Ross Breen, Elizabeth Smith, Peter Pacey, Wesley Jagoe,and Smith School of Highland Dance.

Time: 7:30 pm
Location: Beaverbrook Kin Centre
Advance Tickets:$12.00 At the Door: $15.00
On Sale at Books Inn, Bills Kwik Way - Stitching Post Bathurst
By E-mail at bb2@sympatico.ca or ph. 506-622-1780
Children under 12 with adult FREE

Jam Session
Following evening concert at the Black Horse Tavern, across the street from the Beaverbrook Kin Centre. For those 19 and over, bring your voice and your musical instruments or just come and enjoy the music.

Labels: arts, culture, event, festivals, Miramichi, music

Drea Macdonald is coming to Miramichi, NB to promote her new CD Between You and Me. Based in Charlottetown, PEI, Drea is a talented singer/songwriter/musician.

When: Saturday, May 9th 2009
Time: 3:00-5:00
Where: Saltwater Sounds
1738 Water Street, Chatham (Miramichi), NB
506-773-8010

Labels: arts, culture, event, Miramichi, music

The Words on Water arts series and Saltwater Sounds invite you to the official launch of Bread 'n Molasses magazine Volume 3, Issue 3, featuring ECMA nominees The Terry Whalen Band.

Join us for an evening of the blues with Miramichi's own Terry Whalen Band as featured on the cover of Bread 'n Molasses magazine. With special guests The Heritage Players theatre group, who will give a special sneak peek performance from their upcoming production, Grammy Grace: A Midwife's Tale.

Following the main event, the mic will open up to anyone who wishes to perform through music and words on the theme of "the blues." Share your blues through music, poetry, short stories, etc. in five minutes or less, and you might even find yourself featured in an online video or published in an upcoming edition of Bread 'n Molasses magazine.

Everyone welcome! Come enjoy a good old fashioned night of Miramichi entertainment with Bread 'n Molasses magazine at Saltwater Sounds for Words on Water.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009
6:30pm - 9:00pm
Saltwater Sounds
1738 Water Street
Miramichi, NB

For more information contact Kellie at (506) 773-7668 or email editor@breadnmolasses.com

Please feel free to forward this invitation to all of your contacts who might be interested in attending.

Labels: arts, event, music

Frye Festival Celebrates 10 Years in Style


The Frye Festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary! The Festival will begin its celebrations today by unveiling the line-up for the 2009 edition, which will be held from April 17 to 26 in Moncton, NB. Canada's only, bilingual, international literary festival will bring together world renowned authors with audiences of all ages in a bilingual celebration of words.

Founded in honour of the famous literary critic Northrop Frye, the Frye Festival attracted over 16,000 attendees in 2008 and over 80,000 since its inception. This event receives its financing from all levels of government, generous corporate sponsors and individuals. The Frye Festival is managed by two employees who are supported by over a hundred volunteers.

"Ten days of festivities, ten days of wonderful discoveries, ten days to celebrate words and literature. What better way to celebrate the tenth year," said Stefanie Wheaton, Executive Director of the Festival. "We want to thank all those who have supported us from the very beginning and those who join us each year. Thanks to the public and our generous sponsors, the Frye can create these unforgettable moments between authors and readers."

There is truly something for everyone at this year"s Festival. Heading the tenth anniversary celebration is Jane Urquhart, author of five award-winning books: The Whirlpool, Changing Heaven, Away, The Underpainter, The Stone Carvers, and A Map of Glass. Urquhart will be joined on stage by Wayne Johnston and Miriam Toews for an evening featuring the best of Canadian literature, hosted by the Globe and Mail's Martin Levin. Wayne Johnston is best known for The Custodian of Paradise, his fictional account of former Newfoundland Premier Joey Smallwood and Miriam Toews is the celebrated author of A Complicated Kindness (winner of the Governor General's Award) and The Flying Troutmans.

On the francophone side, the famous French novelist Alexandre Jardin, well known for his successful Roman des Jardins and who just released Chaque femme est un roman in 2008 will be attending. Also attending is journalist, writer, columnist, and television director, Jean Barbe, creator of the weekly publication Voir and of the Montreal cultural newspaper Ici. His most recent novel, Le travail de l'huitre, was published in October 2008.

The Frye Festival is Canada's only officially bilingual literary festival. Every year thousands of New Brunswickers meet face-to-face with some of the brightest literary minds of our times. The Frye Festival has hosted winners of all the major international literary prizes bringing globally renowned literary talent to New Brunswick communities. Tickets for the 2009 edition of the Frye Festival can be purchased from the Greater Moncton ticketing network. For more information on the Frye Festival and its program, go to www.frye.ca.

Must-see events

The Frye Festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary in style with John Ralston Saul and Antonine Maillet, in an evening extravaganza on Friday, April 17. The Festival is planning another special evening with Alexandre Jardin, an excellent and intriguing French author. In addition, the public will be able to discover some of the best young writers in the province, hosted by Governor General's Award winning poet Serge Patrice Thibodeau and Gerard Beirne, UNB's Writer in Residence.

This year, the Antonine Maillet-Northrop Frye Lecture will be given by Monique LaRue, a novelist and literature professor at College Edouard-Montpetit. The title of the talk is "Between Two Books: the Writer's Time." She has published numerous novels, articles, and essays, such as La Demarche du crabe, for which she received the Grand Prix du Journal de Montreal in 1996, and La Gloire de Cassiodore, for which she received the Governor General's Award in 2002. The lecture will take place at noon on Saturday, April 25, at Moncton City Hall.

The film-writing workshop, a very popular annual event, will be hosted this year by the New Brunswick scriptwriter Tony Sekulich. Let's not forget, the traditional Soiree Frye, the many workshops, the Night Howls hosted by Paul Bosse at the Caveau, and the Frye Jam back by popular demand with Les Paeens and their guests. The official opening of the Frye Festival will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday April 17, at Moncton City Hall.

The importance of promoting literature among young people

The School Youth Program is a vital component of the Frye Festival that seeks to encourage students to discover the magic of reading and the written word. From April 17 to 26, the Festival will offer youth from schools all over New Brunswick the opportunity to interact with authors in their classrooms. Last year, more than 10,000 pupils met authors face to face, totalling 180 school visits. Over $6,000 was donated in new books to participating schools and the Festival gave $4,200 in prizes to writing contest winners and their schools. The traditional KidsFest - with its games, contests, author readings, and writing workshops - will take place on Saturday, April 25, at the Moncton Public Library.

Among the list of children's authors, the Festival will feature Sheree Fitch, one of Moncton's most loved authors. Sheree will do it all - from school visits, to workshops, and even an appearance at KidsFest! Other authors on the children's roster are Lesley Livingston, a trained thespian whose spoken word performer, broadcast journalist and musician Nova Scotia and Alain M. Bergeron, author of more than 100 children's books.

Labels: arts, festivals

Author Appearances Includes Miramichi Stop

Labels: arts, event

David Adams Richards Up for a GG
David Adams Richards

The Canada Council for the Arts announced the finalists for the 2008 Governor General's Literary Awards yesterday and a Miramichier is among the nominees.

David Adams Richards is nominated in the fiction category for The Lost Highway. The Canada Council for the Arts statement said, "The Lost Highway is an intimate and compelling psychological portrait of a lost soul. David Adams Richards writes with an overarching humanity that points to our foibles with sympathy and humour. His open, honest and supple prose creates a world we at once recognize and see anew."

Richards is one of only three writers to have won both the fiction and non-fiction awards for Nights Below Station Street in 1988 and Lines on the Water: A Fisherman's Life on the Miramichi in 1998, respectively.

The finalists include authors from ages 28 to 77, several previous finalists and three first-time finalists who are journalists. The awards are in the categories of fiction, non fiction, poetry, drama, children's literature (text and illustration) and translation.

A total of 1,469 books were nominated for this year's awards. Thirty-two of the 73 finalists are nominated for the first time. At least nine of the finalists are under the age of 35. The themes of mortality, war and place figure prominently in several of the books.

Canada Council for the Arts funds, administers and promotes the Governor General's Literary Awards. Each winner will receive $25,000 and a specially-bound copy of the winning book. The publisher of each winning book will receive $3,000 to support promotional activities.

Non-winning finalists will each receive $1,000 in recognition of their selection as finalists, bringing the total value of the Awards to approximately $450,000.

The winners will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. EST at the McCord Museum of Canadian History in Montreal.

Labels: arts, awards

Frye Festival Writing Contest for Students

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, the Great- West Life / London Life Writing Contest is open to high school students province-wide! Check out the new themes and write to win $100, $300 or $500! This year, there will be two distinct categories for creative writing and essays, so express yourself in your own style. The deadline for entries is December 12th.

The Great-West Life – London Life Writing Contest provides student authors the opportunity to demonstrate their writing skills.

Prizes are $500 first place, $300 second place, and $100 third place. Participating schools will also receive one ballot per submission (max. 15) to be placed in a draw for a prize of $500 toward the purchase of books.

Download PDF for full details.

Labels: arts, contest, youth

Writers Federation of New Brunswick Literary Fall Fair to Feature Beaverbrook Author


Saturday, October 25, 2008
Join us for an autumn afternoon of readings and a workshop. The afternoon activities will be held at Doodles Cafe, Charlotte Street Arts Centre, 732 Charlotte St, Fredericton.

12 - 1 PM: Beth Powning, award-winning author of The Hatbox Letters and Shadow Child will read from a selection of her work.

1:30 - 2:30 PM: Jacques Poitras, CBC journalist and author of Beaverbrook: A Shattered Legacy and The Right Fight: Bernard Lord and the Conservative Dilemma will lead a workshop on non-fiction writing.

3 - 4 PM: Mark Anthony Jarman, acclaimed writer of short fiction collections such as 19 Knives will read from his recent publication My White Planet, followed by a Q&A on short-story writing.

7 - 9 PM. In the evening, join us for a free member book launch and readings at Alden Nowlan House, 676 Windsor St, Fredericton.

Early Bird Registration by October 20: $15 for members / $20 for non-members. After October 20: $20 for members / $25 for non-members.

To register and for more info contact Michelle Lovegrove Thomson: wfnb@nb.aibn.com / 506-459-7228 /

Labels: arts, event

WFNB Seeking to Fill Executive Director Position

The Writers' Federation of New Brunswick invites applications for the position of part-time Executive Director. The candidate should have a BA or equivalent, and possess grant-writing experience, excellent writing skills, organizational ability, book-keeping and administrative experience, and be proficient with computers/e-mail. Knowledge of writing in New Brunswick and arts funding agencies would be an asset.

The Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick is a non-profit organization that represents writers in all disciplines and at all levels of development. The WFNB currently has 150 members. Its objectives are:

1. To promote the works of New Brunswick writers and encourage greater recognition of our writers.
2. To assist writers at all stages of their development.
3. To promote literacy and provide additional educational services to schools and libraries.
4. To promote a sense of community among New Brunswick writers.
Please visit our website for additional info on the Federation: www.wfnb.ca

Emailed or postmarked applications must be received by October 24, 2008. Candidates should send a copy of CV and two letters of recommendation to:

Search Committee / WFNB
PO Box 37, Station A
Fredericton, NB
E3B 4Y2

OR wfnb@nb.aibn.com
If emailing, please save attached documents as MS Word Documents, or Rich Text Files.

Labels: arts, Job Opportunity

Dungarvon Whooper Wrap Party

First two shows sold out to rave reviews!

Dungarvon Whooper Wrap Party with the Heritage Players Sunday April 20th at the Eco-Centre

Tickets $20 at Eco-Centre,Books Inn,Bill’s Kwik Way
Seating at 1 p.m. (Visit Squarebriggs exhibit)
Play begins at 2
Desserts served at 2:45
Wrap up party at 4
Light fare and refreshments served during the wrap party
Free photo with you, the Dungarvon Whooper, and the entire cast. Then get it autographed.
Live music, reading and storytelling.
Bar open throughout!
It’s a whoop of a wrap!

Dungarvon Whooper play not showing again until the Irish festival in July.

Labels: arts, event, Miramichi

Days of wooden ships and iron men

An exhibit featuring the work of world-renowned model shipwright and master carver Robert Squarebriggs April 9th through April 20th at the Ecology Education Centre 21 Cove Road Miramichi.

Full and half-models of famed frigates, barques, clippers, cutters, brigs and warships that rode the rough seas throughout the 18th century are on display.

Exhibit open from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. until April 20th
The artist will be on deck from 2-4 p.m. every day except Monday, April 14th and Tuesday, April 15th.

$5 admission supports education programs at the Eco-Centre.
For more details call 773-9524.
Robert Squarebriggs is featured in “Ships in Scale” and “WoodCarving Illustrated.”

Labels: arts, event, Miramichi

Miramichi's FatKat Animation Part of Frye Festival Workshops in Moncton

Aspiring writers can study their craft with the masters at the 2008 Frye Festival.

Workshops, led by such literary celebrities as award-winning novelist and screenwriter Russell Banks, headline Moncton’s annual celebration of words, April 23-27.

These unique learning experiences will be offered to students of various genres, from poetry and playwrighting to storyboarding and screenwriting.

The festival’s workshop series begins with a two-hour class on playwrighting, presented by Shediac playwright Don Hannah, at Théâtre l’Escaouette, April 24, at 9 a.m. Registration fee is $15. St. George writer Robert Rayner will deliver a workshop for adults writing for children at the Moncton Library that afternoon, starting at 1:30 p.m. Cost to participate is $10.

Russell Banks’ film writing workshop is among event highlights on April 25. His class begins at 9 a.m. at the Théâtre l’Escaouette and is a joint presentation of the Frye Festival, Enterprise Greater Moncton and Film New Brunswick. Cost is $35. To guarantee your participation, pre-register now by calling 506-859-4389 or emailing workshops.ateliers@frye.ca.

Jo-Anne Elder and Paris poet Jacques Rancourt will co-present a creative writing workshop in French that afternoon beginning at 2 p.m. at l’Alliance française, while Nova Scotia poet Peter Sanger will deliver a poetry workshop in English at the same time at the Moncton Public Library. Registration fee for both events is $10.

On Saturday, April 26 St. John’s poet Mary Dalton and Montreal poet and novelist Rachel Leclerc will lead poetry workshops in English and French, respectively, at the Moncton City Hall and the Dieppe Public Library, beginning at 9:30 a.m. with a $10 charge to participate.

And we can’t forget our youngest writers! Local cartoonist Eric Dyke will present a Creative Comics workshop in English and Diane Léger will present a Creative Writing workshop in French. Both workshops are for 8 to 10-year-olds and will take place at 10:00 a.m. at the Moncton Public Library. Both are free.

Workshops continue that afternoon with a presentation on chaotic creativity by members of the South East New Brunswick Chapter of Professional Writers Association of Canada at the Moncton Public Library, beginning at 1:30 p.m. Cost to take part is $10.

Miramichi’s Fatkat Animation will share the tools of the animation trade during a storyboarding and writing workshop at Mad City Comics, starting at 2 p.m. The fee to register is $15.

To register for these workshops, call the Frye Festival office at 859-4389, email workshops.ateliers@frye.ca or check out all the details at www.frye.ca.

Labels: arts, event, festivals, workshop

Public Reading — David Adams Richards

David Adams Richards
Owens Art Gallery, Sackville, NB
February 13, 2008. 7:30 pm

Mount Allison University will welcome noted New Brunswick author and poet David Adams Richards to campus for a public reading on Wednesday, February 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Owens Art Gallery. Everyone is welcome to attend this event, sponsored by Mount Allison’s Centre for Canadian Studies, the English department and the Office of the President, and presented in collaboration with the Frye Festival, and there is no admission charge. Sackville’s Tidewater Books will have a selection of David’s books available for sale at the reading, which will be followed by a book signing and reception with the author.

Labels: arts

CONNIE & PAUL RELEASE NEW CD AS FUNDRAISER FOR PALLIATIVE CARE EDUCATION

Miramichi folk duo Connie & Paul are releasing their 4th recording Sunday January 20, 2008, 2PM at the Miramichi Regional Hospital Viewpoint Cafeteria on the 5th floor. The recording entitled “Let Me Walk You to the Corner” will be used as a fundraiser for the Miramichi Hospital Foundation PCU/EMP Palliative Education Fund and will sell for $20.00 each. The duo has pledged $5.00 to the fund from the sale of each of the 1000 CDs printed for a total of $5,000.00. To honour their pledge Connie & Paul have decided to donate the entire proceeds from the first 250 CDs sold to the fund. The fund will be available to staff of the Palliative Care Unit and the Extramural Program at Region 7 Hospital for palliative education purposes.

The recording features a varied selection of thought provoking songs. Selections include old gospel favourites as well as contemporary songs all arranged by Connie & Paul. The title song “Let Me Walk You to the Corner” is a powerful and inspiring original composition that was written specifically for palliative care.

The CD release will feature a performance by Connie & Paul and light refreshments will be served. Copies of the CD will be available for purchase at a cost of $20 each.

Connie Doucet & Paul McGraw have been sharing the stage together for 20 years. Their previous albums have met with critical acclaim worldwide and they have been described as being “. . . at the top of their craft . . .” as songwriters. They have performed throughout the Maritimes at festivals, concerts and pubs as well as special events such as Canada Day on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, La Place des Arts in Montreal and Seatrade in Miami Beach Florida. They have kept a schedule of 30-50 appearances per year including their acclaimed Miramichi Kitchen Party.

For more information on Connie & Paul or the CD release please visit: www.ConnieandPaul.com

Labels: arts, event, fundraiser, health, hospital

Ray Fraser will be launching his new book, WHEN THE EARTH WAS FLAT,
at BOOKS INN in Newcastle tonight, 7-9 pm

WHEN THE EARTH WAS FLAT
Remembering Leonard Cohen, Alden Nowlan, the Flat Earth Society, the King
James monarchy hoax, the Montreal Story Tellers and other curious matters

ABOUT THE BOOK
In this collection of memoirs, essays and sketches, Raymond Fraser writes
of such fascinating subjects as Leonard Cohen, Alden Nowlan, Leo Ferrari,
Queen Elizabeth II, Irving Layton, Al Pittman, Lord Mountbatten, F. Scott Fitzgerald,
Santa Claus in Chatham, the Flat Earth Society, the notorious Stewart
Monarchy in Exile, Halloween on the Miramichi, tabloid journalism, New
Brunswickers in Hollywood, evangelistic miracle workers and assorted
eccentrics met along life's way.

"Reading When The Earth Was Flat is next best thing to a voyage of
discovery, a ride on a runaway train, the thrill of a roller coaster, and
a front row seat in the theatre of the absurd. This wonderfully
entertaining book is the work of a gifted and accomplished author."
-- Hilary Prince, THE GUARDIAN
* * *
For more on the book and other things click here.

"One of the finest I've seen." -- The Phantom Fringer

Labels: arts

“Fly Tying Contest”

The Southwest Miramichi Council for Arts and Culture at Blackville, New Brunswick is proud to sponsor a fly tying contest for the development of a hair wing salmon fly in recognition of the Spirit of the “Dungarvon Whooper”.

The Fly Tying Contest is open to all fly tyers who inhabit the area along the Southwest Miramichi River and its tributaries between the Anderson Bridge at Miramichi City and Juniper, New Brunswick. All fly tyers within these boundaries are asked to submit their creation, to be named the “Dungarvon Whooper”, to the following address no later than June 15, 2007.

Curtis Miramichi River Outfitters
163 Main Street, Blackville, N.B. E9B1S3
curtisoutlet@nb.aibn.com

RULES

• There will be one winner only.


• All entries, including the winning fly and all rights to it, will be the property of the Southwest Miramichi Council for Arts & Culture at Blackville, New Brunswick. The judge’s decision will be final.


• Only one entry can be submitted by each contestant.


• All submissions will be submitted in a secure package and clearly marked “DUNGARVON WHOOPER FLY TYING CONTEST”


• Entries arriving later than the closing date will not be accepted.


• The entry will include the contestant’s full name, age, address, and telephone number along with a written pattern for their entry. Contestants will explain how she/he came up with the design for the pattern.


• Components for the fly cannot be from any animal or bird that is on the endangered species list (C.I.T.E.S.) Convention For International Trade of Endangered Species).


• The fly must be a hair wing version.


• The fly must be tied on a #2 regular salmon iron (Mustad 36890)


• The winner of the contest will receive a cash prize of $100.00.


• If contestants require further information they can call (506) 843-7757.
  
  To assist in the development of this very special fly pattern contestants are encouraged to read the following poem “The Dungarvon Whooper” as a theme and to help inspire them with their creation. The poem can be accessed by going to www.nbflytyers.com
  
  The poem, “The Dungarvon Whooper” was written January 1912 by Michael Whalen (1858-1937) famous Poet of Renous River, New Brunswick. The poem was printed in the Newcastle newspaper, The Union Advocate, on April 3, 1912.
  
  The Dungarvon Whooper
  
  Far within the forest scene, where the trees forever green,
  Form a contrast with the beech and birches gray.
  Where the snow lies white and deep and the song birds seem to sleep,
  And cease their sweetest singing all the day;
  Where the mighty, monster moose, of limbs large and long and loose,
  Thro’ the forest sweeps with stride both swift and strong,
  Where the caribou and deer bound the brooks so crystal clear,
  Where the dark and deep Dungarvon rolls along.
  
  Where the black bear has his den, far beyond the haunts of men,
  And the marten, mink and sable swim the stream,
  Where the squirrel light and free, swiftly springs from tree to tree,
  And the little snow-white rabbit sleeps and dreams;
  Where the sounds of toil resound far across the frozen ground,
  With the thousand things that to the woods belong,
  Where the saws and axes ring and the woodmen wildly sing,
  Where the dark and deep Dungarvon sweeps along,
  
  In a lumber camp one day, while the crew were far away,
  And the boss and cook were in the camp alone,
  A sad tragedy took place and death won another race,
  When the young cook swiftly passed to the unknown;
  From that day of long ago comes this weird tale of woe,
  The sad and solemn subject of my song,
  When this young man drooped and died in his youth and manhood’s pride,
  Where the dark and deep Dungarvon rolls along.
  
  When the crew came home at night, what a sad scene met their sight,
  There lay the cook all silent, cold and dead,
  Death was in his waiving hair, in his young face pale and fair,
  While his knap sack formed a pillow for his head;
  From the belt around his waist all his money was misplaced,
  Which made the men suspect some serious wrong,
  Was it murder cold and dread that befell the fair young dead
  Where the dark and deep Dungarvon sweeps along?
  
  When they asked the skipper why he had made no wild outcry,
  He turned away and hung his haughty head;
  “Well, the youngster took so sick and he died so dreadful quick.”
  “I hadn’t time to think” was all he said;
  Each heart heaved a heavy sigh and a tear was in each eye,
  While strangest feelings thro’ each bosom throng;
  Then each reverent head was bared as the funeral they prepared,
  Where the dark and deep Dungarvon rolls along.
  
  Fast fell the driven snow, while the wildest winds did blow,
  Till five feet deep it lay upon the ground,
  So that on the burial day, to the settlement away
  To bear the corse impossible was found;
  So a forest grave was made and therein the cook was laid,
  While the woodmen and the song-birds ceased their song,
  The farewell words were said o’er the young and lonely dead
  Where the dark and deep Dungarvon sweeps along.
  
  When the crew to camp returned, their dear comrade still they mourned
  While the shades of night were falling o’er the hill,
  All that long and fearful night all the camp were in affright,
  Such fearful screams and whoops the forest fill;
  Pale and haggard was each face. “We will leave this horrid place,”
  “For this camp unto the devil does belong,
  “At the dawning of the day we will hasten far away
  From where the deep Dungarvon sweeps along”.
  
  Since that day, so goes the word; fearful yells have long been heard,
  Around the scene where lies the woodman’s grave,
  Sounds the stoutest hearts to thrill, yells that warmest blood to chill,
  And strike terrors to the bravest of the brave;
  Till beside the grave did stand God’s good man with lifted hand,
  And prayed that He this scene would not prolong,
  That these fearful sounds should cease, that this soul might rest in peace
  Where the dark and deep Dungarvon sweeps along.
  
  Since that day the sounds have ceased and the region is released
  From those most unearthly whoops and screams and yells,
  All around the Whooper’s Spring there is heard no evil thing,
  And around the Whooper’s Grave deep silence dwells;
  Be the story false or true, I have told it unto you
  As I heard it from the folklore all life long,
  And I hope all strife shall cease and our people dwell in peace,
  Where Renous and deep Dungarvon sweeps along.

Labels: arts, contest, fishing, sports

David Adams Richards at Frye Festival in Moncton this Weekend

Renowned New Brunswick author David Adams Richards will present the second Antonine Maillet - Northrop Frye Lecture on Saturday, April 28 from noon to 1 pm. The theme of the lecture will be “Playing the Inside Out”. The event will take place during the Frye Festival at Moncton City Hall in the Council Chambers at 655 Main Street. The conference will be in English with simultaneous interpretation.

Born in 1950 in Newcastle, N.B., David Adams Richards currently writes in Toronto. He is known for his almost mythic vision. The Vancouver Sun calls him “perhaps the greatest Canadian writer alive”. His latest book The Friends of Meager Fortune was published in 2006 by Doubleday Canada.

In his lecture, David Adams Richards will consider the intellectual, emotional and imaginative strength required to stand by one’s convictions as a writer of fiction.
“A writer must never compromise his imaginative vision in order to be accepted. The result will be an erosion of his art,” explains Paul Curtis, English Professor at the Université de Moncton and one of the organizers of the event, in reference to Richards’ talk.

The writer will also observe how writers in the Maritimes have long been outside the economic and political centres of power, but not the cultural centre. “From this relatively marginal position, the attraction to modify one’s vision in order to be accepted appears all the more powerful,” says Curtis.

These themes of the outsider as well economic and political centres of power are very much in evidence in Mr. Richards latest and perhaps most powerful novel The Friends of Meager Fortune.

Labels: arts, event

Frye Festival Schedule of Events

Now in its 8th year, this five-day celebration of words officially opens April 25 on a quest to promote the pleasure and discovery of reading. Canada's only bilingual literary festival boasts appearances by almost 300 award-winning authors to date, an annual economic impact of $2 million plus on the greater Moncton region. This year its school visits will double, with some 8,000 schoolchildren throughout New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island to welcome authors into their classrooms. The not-for-profit, volunteer-driven festival attracted 10,000 people to its events, donated $4,000 worth of new books to local schools (increases to $6,000 this year), and gave out $2,800 in prize money to new and young writers (this year's amount will also more than double).

Frye Festival Schedule

Tuesday, April 24

6-8 pm: Soirée littéraire - An evening to promote the fun of reading for kids and their families (in French). École Marée Montante, 49 College St., Saint-Louis-de-Kent

7-8:30 pm: Frye Symposium: Pop et Frye - "Anxieties of Identity: Popular Potboilers, Gothic Literature and Stories of the Self". Robert Lapp and Deborah Wills from Mount Allison University discuss popular literature past and present, with a focus on horror, literature of the macabre, and the Gothic (in English). Free admission. Moncton City Hall, 6th floor, 655 Main St

Wednesday, April 25

Writers in Schools - Beginning at 8:30 a.m. and continuing throughout the school day

9:30-10:30 am: Frye Symposium: Lecture by Jean O'Grady - "Revaluing Values". Simultaneous translation. Free admission. Moncton City Hall, Council Chambers, 655 Main St.

11 am: Official Launch of the Festival, Moncton City Hall, Lobby, 655 Main St.

12:00 noon: YMCA Literacy Luncheon. Proceeds to the YMCA's Youth Tutor Club. Guest Speaker: Lesley Choyce. Tickets are $25 per person or $200 for a table of 8. To reserve, call the YMCA at 857-0606. Ramada Plaza Hotel, Crystal Palace, 499 Paul St., Dieppe

1:30-3:30 pm: Frye Symposium Roundtable. Authors discuss the topic: "Ways of Understanding Popular Culture". Moderator: Hélène Destrempes. Panelists: Brecken Rose Hancock, Serge Morin and Tony Tremblay. Simultaneous translation. Free admission. Moncton City Hall, Council Chambers, 655 Main St.

3-5 pm: Workshop for Adults Writing for Children with Lesley Choyce (in English). To register call: 382-3015 or fryeworkshops@hotmail.com. Registration fee: $10. Moncton Public Library, 644 Main St


5 pm: Entre Nous, Rogers Television Frye Festival Special with Manon Levesque (repeated at 10 pm)

5-7 pm: A Tribute to Jean O'Grady. L'Auberge, Delta Beauséjour Hotel, 750 Main St.

7-9 pm: Reading and Discussion with Lorette Nobécourt, sponsored by Alliance Française and the Consulate General of France. Alliance Française, 241 St. George St.

7-9:30 pm: Aliant Café Underground - Performances by high school students of their own poetry, prose and songwritingMentors: Emily Pohl-Weary and Dano LeBlanc. Free admission. Empress Theatre, Robinson Court (adjoining Capitol Theatre, 811 Main St.)

Thursday, April 26

Writers in Schools - Beginning at 8:30 and continuing throughout the school day

9-11 am: Bilingual Postcard Story Workshop with Jo-Anne Elder - "I'm writing to tell you..."
To register call: 382-3015 or fryeworkshops@hotmail.com. Registration fee: $10. Moncton Public Library, 644 Main St.

9:30-10:30 am: Frye Symposium Lecture by Robert D. Denham - "Frye's Magnum Opus: Fifty Years After". Simultaneous translation. Free admission. Moncton City Hall, Council Chambers, 655 Main St.

12-1 pm: Dialogue - Jean Fugère in conversation with Lorette Nobécourt (in French). Free admission. Moncton Public Library, 644 Main St.

1:30-3:30 pm: Writers Federation of New Brunswick Readings, hosted by Lee Thompson. Readers include Tammy Armstrong, Elizabeth Blanchard, Noeline Bridge, Kelly Cooper, Laurie Glenn Norris and Ed Gates. Admission: $5. Mexicali Rosa's, 683 Main St.

5 pm: Entre Nous - Rogers Television Frye Festival Special with Manon Levesque (repeated at 10 pm)

6 pm to 7 pm: Dialogue - Patrick Lane in conversation with Bernice Eisenstein (in English). Free admission. Moncton Public Library, 644 Main St.

8 pm: Soirée Frye - Readings by Karen Solie, Georgette LeBlanc, Marilyn Lerch and Bryan Perro
Musical Guests: Isaac & Blewett with Les Païens. Award Presentation to the winners of the State Farm Essay Contest. Admission is $5 at the door. Reception to follow. Capitol Theatre, 811 Main St.

10 pm: Night Howl - Featuring George Fetherling and Brigitte Harrison with musical guest Marc-André Léger. Admission: $5. Kramer's Corner, 702 Main St.

Friday, April 27

6-8:40 am: CBC Information Morning - Festival Broadcast. CBC Moncton's Information Morning will air an entire show on the Festival. The program is broadcast on CBC Radio One.

Writers in Schools - Beginning at 8:30 and continuing throughout the school day

9 am-5 pm: Writing for Film and Television Workshop with Randy Pearlstein (in English). Effective techniques for both advanced and beginning film and television writers. To register call 859-4389 by Monday, April 23. Registration fee: $35 - Simultaneous translation. Théâtre l'Escaouette, 170 Botsford St.

9-11 am: Poetry Workshop with Karen Solie (in English). To register call: 382-3015 or fryeworkshops@hotmail.com. Registration fee: $10. Moncton Public Library, 644 Main St.

9-11 am: Creative Writing Workshop with Georgette LeBlanc (in French). To register call: 382-3015 or fryeworkshops@hotmail.com. Registration fee: $10. Moncton Public Library, 644 Main St.

12-1:30 pm: Roundtable - Authors discuss the topic: "The Graphic Novel Grows Up"
Moderator: Jean Fugère, with Bernice Eisenstein, Dano LeBlanc, Harvey Pekar and Michel Rabagliati. Simultaneous translation - Admission: $10. Moncton City Hall, Council Chambers, 655 Main St.

1:30-3:30 p.m.: Creative Non-Fiction Workshop with Patrick Lane (The Memoir) (in English). To register call: 382-3015 or fryeworkshops@hotmail.com. Registration fee: $10. Moncton Public Library, 644 Main St.

5 pm: Entre Nous - Rogers Television Frye Festival Special with Manon Levesque (repeated at 10 pm)

5-6 pm: Book Signing by Harvey Pekar, United Book Store, 347 Mountain Road

5-6:30 pm: Mostly Fiction - Readings by: George Fetherling, Gilles Gougeon, Lorette Nobécourt and Elaine McClusky. Admission: $10. Creek Restaurant, 107 Robinson St.

8-9 pm. Harvey Pekar Live. Admission: $10. Théâtre l'Escaouette, 170 Botsford St.

10 pm: Night Howl - Featuring Emily Pohl-Weary and Serge Patrice Thibodeau with musical guests Urban Café. Admission: $5. Kramer's Corner, 702 Main St.

Saturday, April 28

9 am-12 pm: State Farm KidsFest for children 2 to 12 and their families. Author readings, book signings, workshops, comic strip writing, contests, etc. Free admission. Moncton Public Library, 644 Main St. KidsFest schedule includes:

9 am: Michèle Laframboise - Reading
9:30 am: Jeremy Tankard - Reading
10 am: Coro Atlantica - Performance of excerpt from Seussical the Musical
10:30 am: Lesley Choyce - Reading
11 am: Marie-France Comeau - Reading
11:30 am: Dano Leblanc - Signing by Acadieman Creator


10-11 am: Comics in the Library Workshop for Students Aged 8 to 10 with Scott Tingley (in English). To register call: 382-3015 or fryeworkshops@hotmail.com. Free admission (www.comicsintheclassroom.net). Moncton Public Library, 644 Main St.

10-11 am: Writing Workshop for Students Aged 6 to 9 with Marie-France Comeau (in French). " Sur la trace des sens - avec Diego l'escargot ". To register call: 382-3015 or fryeworkshops@hotmail.com. Free admission. Moncton Public Library, 644 Main St.

10 am- 12 pm: Special Festival Broadcast: "Anne et compagnie". Host: Anne Godin. Radio-Canada Atlantique. www.radio-canada.ca/atlantique

9:30-11:30 am: Creative Writing Workshop with Arlette Cousture (in French). To register call: 382-3015 or fryeworkshops@hotmail.com. Presented by Université de Moncton’s Alumni Association, Moncton Campus. Registration fee: $10. Dieppe Public Library, 333 Acadie Ave.

10-11:30 am: Saturday Brunch and Books. Brunch begins at 9:30, with readings at 10 by Laura Byrne Paquet, Gilles Gougeon, Brigitte Harrison and Elaine McCluskey. Admission: Cost of the meal. Kramer's Corner, 702 Main St.

11:30 am: The "Association France-Canada Moncton" Hosts Author Lorette Nobécourt. On the menu: Acadian Fricot - Admission: $15 (not included in Festival Pass). Registration: Ronald Cormier, 383-8563 or rcormier8563@rogers.com. Rotary Pavilion - St. Anselme Park, Dieppe

12-1 pm: The Antonine Maillet - Northrop Frye Lecture - Lecture by David Adams Richards entitled "Playing the Inside Out". Simultaneous translation. Admission: $10. Moncton City Hall, Council Chambers, 655 Main St.

1:30-2:30 pm: Dialogue - Tony Tremblay in conversation with David Adams Richards (in English). Admission: $10. Moncton City Hall, Council Chambers, 655 Main St.

2-4 pm: Comic Book Workshop for Students 12+ with Jeremy Tankard (in English). To register call: 382-3015 or fryeworkshops@hotmail.com. Registration fee: $10. Sponsored by Read's (all proceeds to Laubach Literacy). United Book Store, 347 Mountain Road.

2-4 pm: Comic Book Workshop for Students 12+ with Jimmy Beaulieu (in French). To register call: 382-3015 or fryeworkshops@hotmail.com. Registration fee: $10. Sponsored by Read's (all proceeds to Laubach Literacy). United Book Store, 347 Mountain Road.

3-3:30 pm: Book Signings with Allan Cooper and Others! Festival Bookstore and Café, Lobby, Delta Beauséjour Hotel, 750 Main St.

3-4 pm: Dialogue - Gilles Gougeon in conversation with (to come) (in French). Admission: $10. Moncton City Hall, Council Chambers, 655 Main St.

3-4:30 pm: Aliant Budding Writers, Grade 5 to 8 students read their own work
Mentors: Emily Pohl-Weary and Paul Roux. Free admission. Riverview Middle School, 45 Devere Road, Riverview.

4-6 pm: The 'Not Just Another Book Launch' Event - Goose Lane Editions and Éditions Perce-Neige present their new titles, including works by Laura Byrne Paquet, Lesley Choyce, Tammy Armstrong, Georgette LeBlanc and others. Hosted by Goose Lane Editions' Susanne Alexander and Éditions Perce-Neige's Serge Patrice Thibodeau. Free admission. Reception to follow. Moncton City Hall, Lobby, 655 Main St.

8-11 pm: Frye Jam - An extravaganza of readings of all kinds, music and a comic jam.
Hosts: Les Païens. Musical Guests: Suzanne Léger, Sean Booth & ParaNerd, Pascal Lejeune and pAn. Admission: $10. Aberdeen Cultural Centre, 140 Botsford St.

Sunday, April 29

10-11:30 am: Brunch and Books - Readings and musings on the writing life with (to come) and Arlette Cousture. Also includes the Greater Moncton Literacy Advisory Board's annual "Adult New Writers Contest Awards". Tickets are $20 and must be purchased by April 27 through the Capitol Theatre Box Office or by telephone at 856-4379 or 1-800-567-1922. Delta Beauséjour Hotel, Mezzanine, 750 Main St.

1-2 pm: Poet flyé Says Bye Bye! Paul Bossé reads his Poet flyé epic creation. Unveiling of the Northrop Frye commemorative plaque. Free admission, food, music and parking. Greater Moncton International Airport, Destinations Lounge, 2nd Floor, 777 Aviation Ave., Dieppe.

Labels: arts, event