I Heart Alberta Arts & Lit

There are a handful of longtime AMPA member magazines which we fondly refer to as our "arts/lits". These are literary and visual arts magazines, typically published in a press-run of around 500 copies per issue, lovingly and arduously assembled by a predominantly volunteer-based team. In other words, magazines published by people with a love for words who work their butts off to share those words with you!

In an effort to help promote their hard work (and this is just the first step) we've launched an Arts & Literary Promotion -- postcards and a website to start spreading the word about these unique and diverse magazines produced here in Alberta. At www.albertamagazines.com/artslit you'll find descriptions and distribution details for five magazines: dandelion, filling Station, FreeFall, Other Voices and Prairie Journal.

Better yet, subscribe to any of these five magazines at www.albertamagazines.com/artslit, enter the discount code "artslit" and receive 30% off your one year subscription! Plus, we reimburse the full subscription price to the magazine, so they don't lose a penny while you save.

Basically what we're saying is that Alberta offers some of Canada's most innovative arts & literary magazines. Each offers a unique perspective, from eloquent inspirational to edgy experimental. Share in their passion for the creative. Explore Alberta's arts and literary magazines: www.albertamagazines.com/artslit

filling Station offer: will trade your community space for our print space

filling Station is a literary and arts magazine run entirely by volunteers, dedicated to publishing only the most original and innovative poetry, short fiction, creative non-fiction, and creative criticism. Those involved with its creation and outreach events mandate comprise the filling Station Publications Society, a non-profit society registered with the Province of Alberta. We have been publishing filling Station Magazine for 15 years (and, this fall, 50 issues) with help from the Canada Council for the Arts, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, and Calgary Arts Development Authority.

Unlike other literary magazines based in Calgary, we do not currently have university affiliation; as such, we often have more difficulty securing free, central community space. We have a crucial need for space for events such as literary workshops, our Blow Out Alternative Literary Festival, fundraisers, magazine launches, and, ideally, an office.

If your organization has space that is appropriate, benefits extended to you from filling Station could include a free full page ad in each of our issues distributed locally and nationally through Magazines Canada, both in print and online (our electronic edition, iPhone compatible, is available through Magazines Canada's Digital Storefront), a banner ad on our website (currently being designed by the wonderful Structured Abstraction), inclusion in our electronic newsletter, and preferential recognition in all of our publications and event materials alongside our other major funding bodies (CC, AFA, CADA), a sponsorship package with a dollar value of over $1500.

If this proposal sounds interesting, we would love to bring you some magazines, take a look at your Calgary location, and discuss possibilities further. Please contact Managing Editor Laurie Fuhr at meditor.fs@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/