Francis Arevalo is the 2009 Vancouver youth
slam champion, as well as a graduate from the East Van Cultural Centre's IGNITE!
Spoken Word Intensive, and a member of the touring spoken word Candelabra
Collective. His writing career spans from napkins to journals, and is in his
second year of exploring the Vancouver Spoken Word community.
Franny Beazer
One hot vocalist that has been schooled in jazz at VCC, has been a member of
several different choirs, most recently - Earl Peach's Inchoiring Minds. She is
the front woman for Drum Boogie and the drummer for the Cliff Avenue Band.
Franny also plays guitar and the penny whistle although I suspect her favourite
instrument is the washboard.
Jill Binder is a former touring performance
poet who began pouring her creative energies into an odd-ball 4-stringed
instrument last year: the ukulele. Silly songs and rocking out on popular tunes,
as much as one can rock out on a plinky plinky instrument. Same stage presence,
new silly ukulele fun. www.jillbinder.co
Alara Bretanne was introduced to the wonderful world of Poetry at the
tender age of 15 while in grade 11 at her High School by an extraordinary and
inspiring English Literature teacher from Trinidad who was one of the best
teachers of her life. Encouraging her to write poetry, he also submitted a
piece to the local newspaper for publication. However, poetry was set aside for
the world of livelihood, marriage and the procreation of two daughters. It
would be 23 years later before the Muse entered her life again and another 10
years before Alara was willing to share her poetry. Alara is also a
professional belly dancer, dance teacher, singer, songwriter, loves to perform
in musicals and has had a couple of articles published. She is delighted to
meet other poets and writers to share her ideas and listen to theirs.
Natasha Boskic: Natasha has always been in love with words. It was her
mother’s fault, perhaps, naming her after a character in a novel. What else
could she have done? She published her first poem in a school journal in grade
three. It was about a snowman. The snowman has melted hundreds of times since,
but she has never stopped writing, from personal journals to poetry and short
stories. Because she is interested in exploring digital technologies for
creative expression, she experiments with narratives in different media. Natasha
moved from Serbia to Canada in 1999. She writes in English and Serbian. She
works at UBC.
Fran Bourassa is a poet/artist/performer and contributing writer to
numerous anthologies including Sono Nis Press -Breaking the Surface and the
North Shore Writers Association Millennium Anthology - Shore Lines. Fran
recently won the NS Writers Festival contest for best Postcard story as well as
the NSWA contest for best poem. She also freelances as an Arts Reporter. She has
been awarded a Scholarship to the Banff Wired Writing Studio, has been a
Finalist Vancouver Poetry Slam, and a feature at many venues including, Word on
the Street. She co-hosts Word Whips; the North Shore Edition - an open Monthly
Reading/Writing Series supported by Pandora’s Collective. (To see some of her
poetry – check out the contest winners links on this website.) Fran lives and
works on the North Shore. Contact her at
Sita Carboni
is co-founder of Kits Writers Group and Pandora's Collective Outreach Society.
Her love for life has made her a mainstay in the local poetry community as a
writer, reader and promoter of the arts. She has been featured throughout the
Lower-mainland at various events including The World Poetry Readings Series and
Radio Show, Word on the Street and The North Shore Writers Festival. She enjoys
the creativity of authors such as Salmon Rushdie, Jose Saramago and Joy Kogawa
and hopes to one day learn how to sculpt, combining words with three dimensional
form. You can find her poetry in Quills Canadian Poetry Magazine, luluzine, The
BluePrint Reivew and Goodgoshalmighty.
Jabez Churchill was born in California and educated in Argentina and the
U.S. He has worked as a mariner and charter skipper, a teacher of Spanish at
Santa Rosa Junior College and a creative writing teacher with the California
Poets in the Schools. He's been writing poetry since 1975 and has published four
books: Songs of Seasons, Controlled Burn, and most recently Sleeping With
Ghosts/Durmiendo con Fantasmas and The Veil by Kulupi Press. In August 2007, The
Artist's Embassy International recognized Jabez Churchill's excellent work in
contributing to understanding and good will between different cultures and
peoples, and awarded him the Dr. Kenneth Kuanling Fan Multicultural Award.
Jen Currin A former poetry editor for Hayden’s Ferry Review and Nightboat
Books, Jen Currin has taught creative writing for many years. She has published
two books of poems, The Sleep of Four Cities and Hagiography, and has one
forthcoming, The Inquisition Yours.
Michel Drouin
songwriter, lead guitar
our West Coast mountain man
Michel was once known for his kick ass bass playing.
Now he is known for his kick ass guitar playing.
Mary Duffy was born in Dublin, Ireland, her mother's home but grew up on
Red Island, Newfoundland which had been her father's family home for
generations. She has two daughters, works as a librarian in Vancouver's Downtown
Eastside/Chinatown and volunteers as a Doula. Her poetry has been published in "Luluzine",
"Quills", "Benches" and "The Return of the Downtown Eastside Poets". She reads
with the "Twisted Poets" and the "The Downtown Eastside Poets" and works as a
board member for "Pandora's Collective". In April, 2006 she worked as one of a
number of community writers on a shadow puppet play on addiction in the downtown
eastside under the direction of Savannah Walling (Vancouver Moving Theatre) and
Rosemary Georgeson and Marie Clements (Fathom Labs). She is currently working on
"Red Island Rocks"; a book of linked story-poems about Newfoundland's outport
resettlement.
S.R. Duncan: Shoe-string Marketing and Publicity Expert S.R. Duncan is a
poet, performer, graphic designer, blogger and host of Wax Poetic Radio Show.
His blogs include Commercial Drive Live, BC Entertainment Facts & Trivia and My
Life as a Blog.
K.C. Dyer was born in Calgary, and has lived and worked in Toronto,
Seattle and Vancouver. For many years she was a teacher in public, private and
Montessori schools. Currently, she lives with her children and other animals
just outside Vancouver, British Columbia. Her books include SEEDS OF TIME,
SECRET OF LIGHT and SHADES OF RED. While awaiting the publication of two
upcoming novels, (MS. ZEPHYR'S NOTEBOOK and A WALK THROUGH THE WINDOW) kc is
hard at work on the first novel in a new series of stories set in the United
Kingdom.
Maureen Egan is a BC-based freelance editor who recently rediscovered the poetic
region of the right side of her brain. She is continually inspired and
encouraged by the network of stunningly gifted poets from the Pacific to the
Rockies; from them she is always learning.
Trina Ferguson (performing with Night and Day
Dance): In recent years, Trina Ferguson has spent time in the spoken word and
open mike community. She has had several poems and stories published and is now
taking on the guitar. This year Trina also performed with Now Who's Talking
Recovery Theatre and is continuing with acting classes. In the fall of 2007,
with the help of a few friends, she made a short film about the time she ran for
mayor of Vancouver. Trina is happy to be a part of the Summer Dream Reading
Festival once again this year.
Lee Edward Fodi: Known as the “Wizard of
Words” or simply as “Mr. Wiz,” Lee Edward Fodi has been writing and illustrating
stories about magic, monsters, and mystery for as long as he can remember.
Growing up on a farm, he was subjected to various horrible chores such as
cleaning up after chickens, pigs, geese, and younger siblings. He was often in
trouble for his constant daydreaming, so eventually “flew the coop” to pursue
his love of art, mythology, and storytelling. Fodi is the author and illustrator
of The Chronicles of Kendra Kandlestar, which include The Box of Whispers, The
Door to Unger and the The Shard from Greeve. When he is not chronicling, Fodi
spends his time speaking at schools or helping kids sculpt their own stories
through creative writing workshops.
Warren Dean Fulton is a poetic prospector,
panning for gold along the banks of language. He runs a micro poetry publishing
company, pooka press. This June, he embarked on a tour, pookapalooza - a poetry
roadshow celebrating 15 yrs of pooka press, which brought him to 8 different
cities in 6 provinces in 15 days ( Kamloops , Calgary , Regina , Winnipeg ,
Ottawa , Montreal , Thunder Bay , Vancouver ). He has been published in lit mags,
now & then, here & there.
Sean Emeny is a stand-up comic who began
attending the 'Vancouver Story Slam' this past March. He had a great time and
keeps going back. He is also a professional hop-scotch player.
Mary Gavin: Raised in the Celtic countries of Scotland and Ireland, I wanted to
be a singer but my family threatened to disown me if I sang in public. Thus, I
learnt the traditional stories from my grandparents. I weave Celtic traditions
with currents events and lace them together with humour.
Lucia Gorea, Ph.D. - Originally from Transylvania, she is the founder and
creator of the award-winning group POETRY AROUND THE WORLD. An award-winning
poet and a widely published writer, Lucia is the author of several books,
including JOURNEY THROUGH MY SOUL and SPEAK ENGLISH FOR SUCCESS.
Heather Haley: Poet, author, musician and media artist Heather Haley
pushes boundaries by creating across disciplines, genre and media. She has been
published in numerous journals and anthologies is the author of the forthcoming
Three Blocks West of Wonderland and Sideways, described as "brawny and
uncompromising" and ³supple and unusual.² She was an editor at the LA Weekly,
publisher of Rattler and the Edgewise Cafe, one of Canada's first electronic
literary magazines. Architect of the Edgewise ElectroLit Centre and the
Vancouver Videopoem Festival, her own works have been official selections at
dozens of international film festivals. She is the host and curator of SEE THE
VOICE: Visible Verse at Pacific Cinémathèque. An accomplished performer, Haley
has shared her poetry and music with audiences around the world. Most recently
she toured eastern Canada and the U.S. in support of her AURAL Heather CD of
spoken word songs, Princess Nut.
Jane Hall is a creative non-fiction writer and author of The Red Wall: a Woman
in the RCMP, published in July 2007 and short-listed for the Edna Staebler Award
for Creative Non-fiction in 2008. A member of the first wave of female RCMP
officers, she served in the force from 1977-98 in North Vancouver , Vancouver ,
Langley and Surrey . Jane is a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow award, a
Member of the International Consortium for Leadership in Public Safety and the
Police Futurists, and a team leader on an international group of subject matter
experts, “Women in Leadership.” She is also a member of the Canadian Authors
Association, the Federation of BC Writers, RCMP Vets Association, and the RCMP
Ladies Auxiliary.
Sandra Harper, Vancouver writer, has four
books published: Not Until Now - The Rattenburys Story; Breaking Out - a
children's novel that accompanies the BC Social Studies instructional unit,
Kenya - Our Global Friend, that is used in classrooms; Inside Kenya - Creating
Tomorrow; and Traveling the Sun. She also is a writer of travel articles, based
on her wanderings of the globe. She runs a small publishing company - Hawthorne
and is a member of CAA, BCATW, and BC Federation of Writers
Christianne Hayward: Dr. Christianne Hayward founded the Lyceum of
Literature and Art as part of her dream to contribute to the rich literary and
arts community in Vancouver. She has been educating children and adults for over
thirty years. Christianne established her unique parent and youth bookclubs in
1996, and now facilitates 17 bookclubs, 4 writers' workshops and literature and
art classes for young children at the Lyceum. She also teaches at post-secondary
institutions, works as a teacher consultant, facilitates parent groups in the
ANCHOR Program at the Vancouver Child Study Centre, works at Vancouver Kidsbooks,
and is mother of two sons. Christianne is a local storyteller and popular
reviewer of children’s literature.
Hi Rise Dex and the Stellar Jays is a Vancouver roots country jazz
influenced group formed in 1995. The core of the band is the leadership of
Kempton Dexter, aka Hi-rise Dex, the band's writer, singer and guitarist. The
band's choice of cover and original songs ranges from rollicking up-tempo
country stomps to quiet jazz influenced songs about the wonder of love and
attraction, love found and love lost. Dexter's songs present an honest look at
life lived, the complexities of relationships and the absurdities of the human
condition. Hi-Rise Dex and the Stellar jays have played many of Vancouver's
original music venues including the WISE Hall, the Railway Club, the Press Club,
the Pic, El-Cocal, the Whip, and the Silvertone.
Christy Hill: Originally from the Eastern Townships in Quebec ,
Christy grew up in a rustic log cabin in a remote landscape where only a few
channels flickered on a black and white screen. Combined with an alternative
education this way of living provided Christy with ample time to look inward and
develop creatively which she holds close to her heart today. Writing continues
to provide the perfect outlet for her ambitious imagination and combines her
love of sound and language. She is constantly searching for the depth that
literature provides. In her extra time Christy can be found writing short
fiction and poetry. She participates in The Word Whips Writing Series, Word
Whips The North Shore Edition and also runs a bi-weekly writing group, The
Cellar Door. She can be found making her foray into the Vancouver writing scene
at open mics and readings. Writing ties in nicely with Christy’s small business,
Chill Factor Communications. She creates editorial illustrations, graphic design
and web sites. Her illustration work has graced many fine North American
newspapers and magazines.
Jess Hill Like the intuition implied by synchronized movement, Jess
Hill's music reminds you of something you thought you'd forgotten. Anchored in
the tendencies of folk, blues and jazz, Jess tells stories: cyclones and
downpours, hovering birds, white skies. Seven years ago, she picked up a
careworn guitar. A little while later she grabbed hold of a banjo. Since then,
she has collaborated with acclaimed spoken word trio Tons of Fun University at
the Vancouver Folk Music Festival and played to spellbound audiences in cafes,
bars and living rooms from Vancouver to Cape Town. 2006 marked the release of
her first full length album Road. In the dim light of midnight living rooms and
in the hearts of singing shadows, Jess Hill is building something beautiful.
Ibrahin Honjo was born on April 16, 1948 in former Yugoslavia (Bosnia and
Herzegovina). He arrived in Canada and Vancouver in 1995. He published 9 books
and represented in 3 anthologies, many magazines, newspapers, and radio stations
in former Yugoslavia and Canada. Honjo won several prizes in former Yugoslavia
where he worked as an economist and journalist, book and newspapers editor,
marketing director, etc. He organized many poetry events and festivals. His
poetry has been translated in Korean, Slovenian, German and English. The last
two collections “Do Not Write This Down” and “Roots in the Stone” Honjo
published in both English and Serbo-Croatian language. Honjo is the founder and
host of Poetry Planet Port Moody.
Stephen Karr was born in Vancouver over 41 years ago, I returned four
years ago to pursue training as a library technician at Langara College. I soon
started writing poetry, and connected with the Vancouver literary scene through
Pandora's Collective. I often write descriptively about social issues that
concern me, as well as personal observations. Sometimes these writings are
developed through the lenses of my experiences, and sometimes through my
imagination. Word Whips in Vancouver, where I am a regular participant, has
been a great venue for me in terms of writing inspiration. I have read at open
mics such as Twisted Poets, Spillious Speak and Sing, and the Summer Dream
Literary Arts Festival. I participated as a poet in the Poets and Painters show
in Delta in 2008.
Michael Lagace was born on the prairies nearly thirty years ago. A year
ago, he found himself lost by the ocean, and here he spends his time making
things up and writing them down.
Evelyn Lau's fiction titles include Fresh Girls and Other Stories
(HarperCollins), Other Women (Random House) and Choose Me (Doubleday). Her
non-fiction titles include Runaway: Diary of a Street Kid (HarperCollins) and
Inside Out: Reflections on a Life So Far (Doubleday). Her poetry includes the
award-winning You are Not Who You Claim (Beach Holme), Oedipal Dreams and In the
House of Slaves (Coach House). Treble (Polestar Book Publishers), her fourth
book of poetry is everything we expect of Lau: it is precise, elegant, honest
and powerful.
Christine Leclerc, originally from Montreal, now lives in Vancouver. She
is currently pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing at the University of British
Columbia. Her work has appeared in 42opus, Dig, FRONT, FU, Memewar, OCHO,
Pistola, subTerrain, terry, the Worksound gallery, and is forthcoming in
Interim. Leclerc is the author of Counterfeit, a book of poetry published by
Capilano University Editions (CUE) in fall 2008. She teaches creative writing at
Langara College Continuing Studies.
James Lewis is President of the Burnaby Writers Societ. James has written
poetry and performed his poetry with music, Oceandrums. He has written and
produced a play, Mud Man, that was well received. James has written one novel,
Lake Else, and has just finished his second, Light in the Shining Heavens.
C. J. Leon is a hilariously bleak writer of poetry, essays, stories, and
art criticism. With imagination, clarity, and comical cynicism he writes about
everything from insects to medical privatization. He composes for jazz and
classical guitar, beatboxes, and tries hard to make everything he does available
for free on the internet. For example, his latest album "Street Corner Gothic"
is on youtube. Google him, he's fun!
Al Mader – The Minimalist Jug Band,
is somewhat of a local legend and perhaps one of the most original performers on
the Vancouver Spoken Word scene. He’s been called a cross between Johnny Cash
and Steven Wright and his performance (in which he accompanies himself on a
simple washtub bass and on delightful occasion, a plastic banana harmonica) is
best-described as a fusion of rockabilly and beatnik jazz. Something of a
poet’s poet, Mader’s songs are often homaged by other artists. His “Dead Man’s
Pants” has become a house party anthem. Check him out performing it here on
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftVDyrK5PbQ Lately he has been collaborating with Folk singer/songwriter
Petunia, to produce an even deeper
and broader range of music and spoken word.
Joe McDonald is a 21 year-old poet living in East Vancouver. He's only
recently stepped onto the Vancouver Poetry Slam stage, winning two youth slams
and one regular slam. Through his poetry, he seeks to explore both frustration
and the need for living intentionally. Joe also writes and publishes story games
and role-playing games.
James McCann: Growing up on the icy plains of Manitoba, James McCann
spent most of his time as a teen reading comics and playing Dungeons and
Dragons. Both of these hobbies taught him his storytelling tools that he now
uses as an author and creative writing instructor. He is the author of Rancour
(first released in 2005 with a second edition due in 2008), Pyre (2007), and
Dawn (Christmas 2008). Before turning to mentoring youth in creative writing, he
worked in a children's bookstores for seven years. Unlike the creatures of the
night of which he writes, he lives peacefully in the daylight with his Shih Tzu,
Conan. You can learn more about him at www.jamesmccann.info.
Jack McCarthy was born in Massachusetts and
now lives in Seattle, Washington. He began writing poetry in the 1960s, but did
not begin performing his works for audiences until the 1990s. It was then that
he was introduced to slam poetry at the Cantab Lounge in Boston, Massachusetts,
after intending to get his daughter interested in the art form. McCarthy has
described his performance style as "stand-up poetry," or that he is a "stand-up
poet," in that the work he does on stage is not subject to a specific regimen of
poetic style, but is loose enough in form to be humorous and performed in a
manner similar to that of stand-up comedy. He was awarded "Best Standup Poet" by
the Boston Phoenix in the 1990s. In short time, McCarthy has placed himself into
a niche of spoken word that had long been unnoticed: the funny character. His
storytelling and humor are well regarded within the performance poetry
community. McCarthy has relocated with his wife to the Seattle, Washington area
and can be found performing at the Seattle Poetry Slam and other such events in
the Pacific Northwest. In 1996, McCarthy competed and took a spot on the Boston
poetry slam team and went to the National Poetry Slam held that year in
Portland, Oregon.
Thad McIlroy is an electronic publishing analyst and author, and founder
of the website www.TheFutureofPublishing.com. Nearly a decade in the making, it
is the most comprehensive source of information on where publishing is heading.
A well-established expert in the technology and marketing issues surrounding
electronic publishing and the Internet, he has authored a dozen books and over
200 articles on these subjects. McIlroy served also for five years as Program
Director for Seybold Seminars. As a consultant Thad McIlroy works closely with
publishing and media companies, printers, design and advertising agencies, as
well as vendors serving the publishing industry. He serves also as an expert
witness on patent litigation. He is a contributing editor to PrintAction
magazine, and on the editorial board of the journal Learned Publishing, and the
Canadian literary journal Geist. For three years McIlroy was named as one of
Canada’s 50 most influential people in graphic communications.
Spike McKinley bass and vocals
Spike will not admit how long she has been playing music. Suffice to say, she
started with a uke, moved to guitar then discovered the bass. She has sung all
her life, whether in choirs or in pubs, she just doesn’t stop singing!
Bill McNamara is a Storyteller and Poet from Vancouver. He was the Story
Slam Champ of Vancouver from '05 to '06 and is presently the city's oldest Slam
Poet. He is also the host/organizer of Thundering Word, Vancouver's Finest Open
Mic. Since the passing over a year ago of it's originator, the late, great
T-Paul Ste.Marie, Bill, and his co-host Wanda-Sue Nowicki have kept this
wonderful event going strong. He still performs at various events and festivals
around town and in the Fraser Valley.
George McWhirter: On March 8, 2007 George
McWhirter, Professor Emeritus of UBC’s Creative Writing Program, was named the
City of Vancouver’s inaugural Poet Laureate. A Vancouver resident since 1968,
George McWhirter was born in Belfast where he received his B.A. from Queen’s
University. His extensive teaching experience has taken him from Kilkeel,
Bangor, County Down to the University of Barcelona’s Escuela de Idiomas, to Port
Alberni and finally to UBC, where he was Head of the UBC Creative Writing
Department from 1983 until 1993 and where he earned a Killam Prize for teaching.
An author of six books of poetry, two poetic works in translation, five short
stories and three novels, McWhirter has been the Advisory Editor for PRISM
international magazine and has edited several anthologies.
Melic Thrum (Chad York -vocals, bass, Mike Peacock -vocals, piano, Ryan
Drolet - guitar, Alex McFarlane - drums) “This crew blends funk, soul, rock,
jazz and every other thing into its 12-song disc and it’s classy. Besides
knowing how to write songs, both writers are fine singers too. ”, Stuart
Derdeyn, The Vancouver Province. www.melicthrum.com
Alejandro Mujica-Olea, author of six books, World Poetry co-host and
co-founder originally from Chile. Voted one of the 75 top Canadian Immigrants
and newly elected president of Project Cultural South Canada. Radio show host
and producer (The World Poetry Café CFRO FM) He is currently working on a
collection of short stories.
Anita Aguirre Nieveras, MA. World Poetry Lifetime Achievement Award Winner and
World Poetry Ambassador to the Philippines. Noted educator and facilitator who
reads in English and Tagalog. Author of two books and one chapbook. She is
published in various anthologies.
Bonnie L. Nish is a captivating storyteller,
who allows us to see the world in a unique way, presenting a refreshing view of
life through her poetry. Published widely throughout North America you may view
some of her work (both poetry, prose and book reviews) in the anthologies,
"Undercurrents," and "Quills," and on-line at luluzine.com, hackwriters.com and
greenboathouse.com. In September 2001, Bonnie's poem "Don Quixote's Love Song,"
a grand prize winner in the Artist's Embassy International Dancing Poetry
Contest, was performed at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor in San
Francisco. Bonnie is currently pursuing her Masters in Arts Education at SFU and
lives in Vancouver with her teenagers which includes her dog Cody who is the
worst behaved of the lot.
Wailin’ Wayne Pattern
singer/songwriter, harp and rhythm guitar
Wayne is one of the finest harp players around. Add to that his strong writing
style and smooth vocals and you have a great show folks. Long time member of the
world of music...began in the east based out of Toronto then moved west passing
through Edmonton on his way to Vancouver. He has seen the light.
Ivan Penaluna: Host of the Vancouver Story Slam, Ivan Penaluna, takes his
proud Lancastrian heritage and turns it into a series of disturbing stereotypes
for rooms full of comfortable Canadians. Ivan Penaluna, originally from Preston,
Lancashire - home of the black pudding & indiscriminate drunken beating-, now
lives in Vancouver with his wife, Anna & son, Otto. Ivan started out as a
performance poet, before branching out into comedy in 1999. Penaluna had a
glittering career in the Intelligence Services ahead of him, until a scandal
involving a girl with a bare botty in a Bogota hotel ended it abruptly. Since
then he has been traveling the world divulging state secrets for sometimes the
price of a large brandy.
Lois Peterson published short stories, articles and personal opinion
pieces for adults for more than 20 years before turning to writing for children
in 2007. Her kids’ novel MEETING MISS 405 was published in 2007. Two more are
scheduled for 2010 publication by Orca Book Publishers.
Kelsey Savage is a member of the 2009 vancouver youth slam team, as well as
a graduate from the East Van Cultural Centre's IGNITE! Spoken Word Intensive,
and a member of the spoken word Candelabra Collective. Her writing career spans
from a youth columnist, to non-fiction essay and poetry competitions, and is in
her second year of exploring the Vancouver Spoken Word community.
Ariadne Sawyer, World Poetry Co-host and co-founder, poet, writer, radio
show host and producer (The World Poetry Café CFRO FM) neurotherapist and
creative consultant. Author of three books and 7 award winning CD’s as well as
three internet courses. She is currently working on a novel Journey of Love and
Agony and a storytelling book, Stories of Everyday Miracles.
Lisa Shatzky poetry has been accepted for publication in The New
Quarterly, The Nashwaak Review, Canadian Literature, and The Sun (U.S.)
and has been published in Monday's Poem (Leaf Press, 2009), Jones Ave., The
Prairie Journal, The Dalhousie Review, The Antigonish Review, Canadian
Woman Studies, Cahoots, Quills Canadian Poetry Magazine, Insights, Sandstar
Poetry for Peace (U.S.), Canadian Poetry Institute, Between the Sheets, The
McGill Daily, and others. Her work has been performed at Vanxouver's Word on
the Street, Kaslow Folk Festival, Sunshine Coast Aboriginal Day, The Pacific
Rim Whale Festival, World Poetry, and most recently, at The Montreal Jazz
Festival, as well as other literary and cultural events around BC.
Her poetry book "A Pail for the Blackberries" is currently being considered
by aCanadian publisher for 2010. When not writing she works as a
psychotherapist on Bowen Island, B.C. where she lives.
Bryan Siiver
drums
Bryan is a longtime member of Carnival Band and also a long time member of the
music world in Vancouver.
Tiffany Stone is a children’s poet from Maple Ridge, BC. Her first
collection of humorous verse, Floyd the Flamingo and his flock of friends,
published by Tradewind Books, received critical acclaim. Helen Norrie of the
Winnipeg Free Press declared “…Stone has a delightful sense of the ridiculous….”
Tiffany’s second book with Tradewind, Baaaad Animals, is full of rhymes about
sheep that steal, sneaky slugs and other naughty creatures. aRHYTHMetic, a
picture book of math poems she created with Kari-Lynn Winters, Lori Sherritt-Fleming
and Scot Ritchie, is a new release from Gumboot Books. Tiffany also writes
science poems for KNOW Magazine.
Sylvia Taylor is an award-winning freelance writer, editor and educator
in Metro Vancouver, with a passionate commitment to communication. She writes a
wide variety of magazine and newspaper articles and commercial works and
consults with a diverse range of entrepreneurs and businesses. She edits in all
genres and works extensively with authors through all stages and phases of
writing and publishing.
Sylvia is current President of the Federation of BC Writers, after eight years
as a Regional Director. She is also an inspiring public speaker and presenter at
conferences and in writing programs and judges numerous writing competitions.
Her creative writing has appeared in anthologies and genre magazines, in Canada
and the U.S, and was shortlisted for the 2008 CBC National Literary Awards. Her
devotion to wellness and the arts led to a nomination for the 2002 Women of
Excellence Awards.
Max Tell: Dubbed the international troubadour by the Vancouver
International Children’s Festival, Robert Stelmach, a.k.a. Max Tell, has toured
the Pacific Rim five times as a singer and storyteller. In 2007 his story, Fiezo,
the Book Burro, was runner-up for the Writing for Children Competition sponsored
by the Writers’ Union of Canada. Max’s fourth CD and audio book, Little Johnny
Small and Other Stories, in English and with Spanish translations, is now
available. Recently, he conducted workshops at the Williams Lake Young Writers’
Conference and the Burnaby and Surrey Historica Fares. www.maxtell.ca.
Eva Waldauf was born in Toronto , Ontario . In
ninth grade she found her1st love, art. She wanted to be a painter/artist. In
1990 she graduated from the Ontario College of Art in the Experimental Art
Department . Eva had followed her dream. In 1993 she moved to Vancouver , BC
with her husband, where she continued to create art and exhibit. She attended
Simon Fraser University , taking Arts and Culture Studies, and graduated with a
BA in 1998. During her last year of University Eva wrote her first poem. Since
then she has written over 160 poems and has read at many literary events in
Greater Vancouver including Banyen Book’s Speakeasy, The First Tuesdays Assembly
of Poets at Chapters, Twisted Poets Literary Salon, The Mutanabbi St. Memorial
at Upstart Crow Books, AfricaDey, and the Vancouver Poetry Slam.
Chris Williamson-Rooney is a writer, musician and performance
artist who has been working on a re-interpretation of Dante's Divine Comedy for
experimental music and modern poetry. Amongst his other projects he is the
co-editor for The Christian Radical, an Anarchist Christian news and information
service online and formerly also a monthly journal. His writing is available
online at
www.wiresource.blogspot.com and The Christian Radical can be read at
www.thechristianradical.blogspot.com.
Rita Wong has written three books: sybil unrest (with Larissa Lai, 2008),
forage (2007), and monkeypuzzle (1998). Wong has received the Dorothy Livesay
Poetry Prize and the Asian Canadian Writers' Workshop Emerging Writer Award. An
Assistant Professor at the Emily Carr University of Art + Design, she is
currently researching the poetics of water.
