Edmonton Story Slam finds new home at The Haven: May 19 Launch

The Edmonton Story Slam Society is pleased to announce the popular storytelling event will re-launch on Wednesday, May 19 at The Haven Social Club. The Edmonton Story Slam will hold events at the jazzy new venue on the 3rd Wednesday of every month, as it has since its inception in February 2006.

“We’re thrilled with this partnership,” said Susan Hagan, executive director of the Edmonton Story Slam Society. “It means everything to us that The Haven’s mandate is to support artists and that they, too, are a non-profit organization. We have been nurturing this event for four years to give writers a free voice in a celebratory atmosphere. This venue change will only make our mandate easier.”

The format remains. First 10 writers. 5 audience judges. Original material presented by the author. Sign up is at 7 p.m. The show will now start at 7:30 p.m. Excellent wines, fine draughts and well made cocktails are available from the bar. Popcorn is served and food from neighbouring restaurants is welcome.

“The Haven Social Club, a not-for-profit organization whose primary focus is arts in the community, is excited to welcome Story Slam into The Haven family,” according to the venue managers. “As a live music venue with an art gallery hosting provocative and passionate visual art, The Haven is a space where artistic mediums collide, where collaboration is spontaneous, and where a synergy is created between artists and forms. The Haven Social Club believes Story Slam is essential to the expansion of arts in our community. We look forward to providing a host-environment where open minds and expressive souls are always welcome and anticipate a strong partnership that will flourish for years to come.” Please see www.thehavensocialclub.com for more details.

There will now be a Story Slam “after party.” The Haven hosts a Wednesday Jam where Edmonton’s finest musicians gather to play funk, jazz, blues and rock.

The Haven is located at 15120 Stony Plain Road (about 8 minutes west of downtown) in Edmonton’s next major arts district. Street parking is available. Story Slam is thrilled to be a part of the community’s efforts to revitalize.

For more information, please contact Susan Hagan (780) 915-8869 or email: edmontonstoryslam@gmail.com

Rhyme 'em, Cowboy - Poetry at the Palamino

On Thursday, April 29 -- To cap off National Poetry Month -- Talonbooks, Freehand Books, filling Station and Coach House Books are teaming up to bring Calgary's poetry fans and readers 'Rhyme 'em, Cowboy,' a celebration of new poetry at The Palomino.

This event, hosted by the Griffin Prize-winning author of Eunoia, Christian Bök, will feature five great poets (Calgarians and out-of-towners alike) reading from brand-new books (and the brand-new issue of Calgary's own fillingStation). You'll hear and see poetry based on the harmonic music series, visual poetry based on anachronistic alphabets like Shorthand and Unifon, manifestoes of documentation and a not-overly-handy guide on how to write.

The readings will be followed by a musical set from Steve Van Kampen (from Beija Flor). 'Rhyme 'em, Cowboy' promises to be the most entertaining, feel-good poetry event of the the month, and a stellar way to end National Poetry Month.

Pages Books on Kensington will be on hand with copies of the poets' books and copies of fillingStation.

Rhyme 'em, Cowboy: Poetry at the Palomino

featuring readings by derek beaulieu, Dennis Cooley, Weyman Chan, Jesse Ferguson, Jani Krulc and kevin mcpherson eckhoff

hosted by Christian Bök

music by Steve Van Kampen

Thursday, April 29, 2010

The Palomino, 109 – 7th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB

7:00 p.m.

Find out more about poetry events in Calgary, at: http://spancalgary.blogspot.com/

Volunteer, and you could win a trip to Toronto...

...if your dedication exceeds "showing up" at meetings.

Rob Tanner, AMPA's Volunteer of the Year, committed nine years to providing valuable feedback to the AMPA Board of Directors, committees, and advocating on behalf of the Alberta magazine industry via the Alberta Cultural Industries Association. Today, his commitment to the industry remains as stalwart as ever.

And that, my friends, is how you win awards.

Eco Papers for Earth Day

Happy Earth Day to you!

Today, as we all remember that sustainability is no longer just a buzzword but a way of life, AMPA and Canopy urges you to consider eco paper options whether you're a magazine consumer, or a magazine publisher. Find out more in the April edition of MagaScene.

While you're at it, check out the current magazine internships.

And remember to tread lightly in your consumption of material goods. Future generations will thank you for it.

Lunch with Three Notorious Poets

Here's another great literary event in Calgary, to go along with your Earth Day celebrations!

Central Library, 616 McLeod Trail S.E., Calgary

Thursday, April 22, 2010

12:00 PM (noon)

“Lunch with Three Notorious Poets”: Join Robert Kroetsch, rob mclennan, and Alice Major, who are each launching new works.

U of C's Creative Writing Program End of the Year Gala 2010

What?
The End of Year Gala! Come see the University's of Calgary's Creative
Writing Students read some of their best work!

When?
The Gala begins on Wednesday, April 21 at 5:30 p.m.

Where?
In the John Dutton Theatre at Central Library (616 MacLeod Trail SE)
downtown.

Who?
Anyone and everyone who enjoys poetry, prose and all things literary
to spring from the U of C's Creative Writing Program.

Why?
If you have to ask, you'll never know.

--
spanc: small press action network calgary. www.blogspot.com/spancalgary
also on facebook, twitter, & listserv. send your literary events to spanclist@gmail.com

Taking AMPA to the next level

The AMPA board of directors returned this week from a 2-day board retreat in Canmore to discuss the future of AMPA; how we can elevate the Alberta magazines industry; and how to spend the money we do have (thanks to our budget-savvy executive director Colleen Seto).

AMPA President Gary Davies (Executive VP at RedPoint Media, publisher of Avenue magazine) , is confident that AMPA's forthcoming initiatives will make "Alberta the magazine and digital publishing hub of Western Canada." Read on for more of Davies' predictions...

Featured Magazine: Alberta Oil

Alberta Oil magazine offers its readers a unique insight into the Canadian energy sector, a community attracting international attention as "the quiet energy superpower." Throughout the pages of Alberta Oil, readers meet those individuals who are shaping the policy, the practice and the pursuits of Canada's energy industry.

Subscribe to Alberta Oil

www.albertaoilmagazine.com


Did you know that there are almost 200 magazines published in Alberta? Each week, AMPA will feature one of them on this blog. Find an Alberta magazine for your passion at www.albertamagazines.com.

The Writers Guild of Alberta Announces The 2010 Alberta Literary Awards Shortlist

The Writers Guild of Alberta is thrilled to announce the finalists for the 2010 Alberta Literary Awards! The Alberta Literary Awards recognize and celebrate the highest standards of literary excellence from Alberta authors.

Awards jurors have deliberated 183 submissions to select 32 finalists in nine categories. Finalists represent extraordinary literary work written by Alberta authors and published in 2009.

Winners will be announced and awards presented at the Alberta Book Awards Gala on Friday May 14, 2010 at the Delta South Hotel (4404 Gateway Boulevard) in conjunction with the Book Publishers Association of Alberta’s (BPAA) Alberta Book Publishing Awards and the presentation of the inaugural Alberta Readers’ Choice Award, a $10,000 prize!

See who this year’s shortlisted authors are.

The Writers Guild of Alberta is a provincial arts service organization that represents both professional and emerging writers in Alberta. Their mission is to support, encourage and promote writers and writing, to safeguard the freedom to write and to read, and to advocate for the well-being of writers.

Registration for the Awards Gala is $55/person. For more information or to register, please call 1-800-665-5354 or visit www.writersguild.ab.ca

Conference Photos and other happy thoughts!

I slipped and fell on the ice today (thanks to Calgary's freak blizzard) bruising my leg and ego.

So I thought it would be nice to think of more pleasant times. If you haven't done so yet, take a peek at the photos from the 2010 Alberta Magazines Conference.

Thanks to our executive director Colleen Seto, for taking the lead on the silly photo!

Happy Friday!