Date: March 9th, 2013
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: UFV Mission Campus, Heritage Park Centre
33700 Prentis Avenue, Mission BC

Fees:

• Early Bird (available until Jan. 31) $35.00
• Regular admission (after Jan 31): $40.00 Students (student id required): $20.00
• Includes Lunch (Subway sandwiches, fruit/chips, beverages) included in all fees.

Schedule of Events

• Traditional Opening Ceremony with Eddie Gardner
• Keynote Speaker – Joanne Arnott
• Readings/Performances
• Workshops
• Closing Remarks

Workshops

Finding Your Voice through Poetry & Song

With Cathy AJ Hardy

We are so influenced by culture around us that it is difficult to know our own voice.  The discipline of poetry & song-writing is to come home to one’s true self and to listen to the ‘story’ within and to communicate that. This is a task that takes time apart, time to listen and to honour the soul journey if one is to be truly authentic and honest. This workshop would include a telling of my personal story in this journey of song-writing/poetry writing and would include an exercise/time where we could each embark on our own listening/writing and if time allows, forming small groups to share with one another.

Cathy AJ Hardy is a singer/songwriter living in Mission, B.C.  Love Shines, her first solo release, is filled with the stories, sounds, and songs of her life.  Deeply connected to the land where she lives and rooted in a deep spirituality, Cathy sings from soul depths.  Love Shines was nominated for Folk/Roots Album of the Year with the Canadian Gospel Music Awards.   Her music has been called ‘inspired world music’ and has been played for women’s groups, hospitals, hospice, folk festivals and other community gatherings.  Her poem ‘Begin Again’ will be the first of her poetry published in the upcoming book, Tending Your Inner Garden, a collaborative book of women’s stories and poetry from around the world.  Cathy continues to perform as well as teach music to people of all ages in her music studio in Mission.
www.cathyajhardy.com

Symbols, Metaphors, and Archetypes

With Wil George

We will explore the personal, cultural/spiritual components of symbols, metaphors, and archetypes in our writing. As well, we would examine mixed metaphors and how to avoid them in our writing. Discussions and writing exercises are included in this workshop.

Wil George is Coast Salish from the Tsleil Waututh Nation (Burrard Indian Band) in North Vancouver. He is a poet and contemporary story-teller. Wil’s poetry chapbook called Survival In It’s Many Shapes was published by UNIT/PITT Projects (formerly known as Helen Pitt Gallery). He has been published in various anthologies and literary magazines including Salish Seas  an anthology of text and image published by the Aboriginal Writers’ Collective West Coast and In Our Own Voices   Learning and Teaching Towards Decolonisation edited by Proma Tagore and published by Larkuma.

Ancestors 

With Joanne Arnott

The actual and imagined lives of our ancestors can inspire wonderful writing in any genre. In this workshop, participants will embark on a journey that will delve into the past, and its relationship with both the present and future. We will look at how writers navigate the flowing stream of generations to make memories and historical fact come to life, through narrative, vivid description, dialogue, character and other literary means. This workshop will provide a safe space to start or continue to explore ancestral linkages and dislocations that can inform your present or future writing projects.

Joanne Arnott is a Metis/mixed-blood writer, originally from Winnipeg, living on the west coast since 1982. Her first book, Wiles of Girlhood, won the Gerald Lampert Award for best first book of poetry (1992). She has published five additional books: Breasting the Waves: On Writing & Healing (creative nonfiction), Ma MacDonald (illustrated children’s book) Steepy Mountain love poetry (Kegedonce, 2004) and Mother Time: Poems New & Selected (Ronsdale, 2007). Mother to six young people, all born at home, Joanne is a founding member of the Aboriginal Writers Collective/west coast, recently served on the National Council of The Writers Union of Canada, and continues to sit with the Author’s Committee, The Writers Trust of Canada. She hosts two occasional blogs, Vera Manuel Tribute http://veramanueltribute.blogspot.com and Joanne Arnott http://joannearnott.blogspot.com and a storyteller’s e-group.

Real Life w/ a little bit of Rhythm

With Zaccheus Jackson

Beginning w/a presentation on Spoken Word, Story-telling and Slam Poetry, “RealLife” (w/a little bit of Rhythm)” is a performance-based, but production-oriented workshop specifically designed to include every attendant in both its’ entertainment and personal production aspects. Using efficient, simple, well proven methods – as well as personal momentum and natural ability – “RealLife” segues into a discussion session specifically designed to subconsciously spurn abstract thought and ideas. Following our discourse, we transition into three short writing exercises that will have the great majority of its’ participants leaving the room w/ not only a more intimate appreciation of Spoken Word, Slam Poetry, and the Art of Story-telling : but the beginnings of their own written piece of spontaneous creativity. “RealLife” closes with a performance exercise that allows its’ participants to utilize the lessons they just learned and understand the benefit of them.

About Zaccheus Jackson

Raised by wolves since birth, Zaccheus Jackson came of age on the streets of Western Canada. Having battled through addiction, apathy and a nasty case of ‘Virgo’ – Zaccheus has twice been honoured to represent Vancouver and Western Canada at the Individual World Poetry Slam, as well as tying for 3rd @ the innaugural Canadian Individual Poetry Slam in 2011. Usually infusing rapid-fire delivery, gritty street tales, intricate rhyme patterns and social criticism, this ‘East Van ghetto poet’ will leave you counting syllables in your sleep.

Inside Story: Writing about your memories without fear

With Tara Morin

Let’s talk about the healing power of words not only for the writer but for the reader who can relate. When we write without fear our emotions become a tool for readers to get to know us, relate and accept us. Our memories make up pieces of our lives and everyone has a story. My aim is that by the end of the workshop, people will leave with the beginnings of an outline for their very own short true life story, and a better idea of the existing market for their written works.

Tara Morin is a published writer of a memoir and a writer of poetry. Her most recent project was working with folk artist Kerry Hooper on Vancouver Island on a children’s book that is focused on children new to foster care. In the past she worked with local bands as songwriter. She now resides in Smithers, British Columbia where she continues to write and aspires to inspire others to express themselves through creative writing.

• Traditional Opening Ceremony
• Keynote Speaker – Joanne Arnott
• Readings
• Connect with writers and publishers

Festival Committee

• Shelley Haggard
• Michelle LaFlamme
• Helene Littmann
• Teresa MacLeod
• Diana Marshall
• Diana Muntigl

Registration

Lifetime Learning Centre
32444 – 7th Ave.,
Mission, BC V2V 2B5
Phone: 604-820-0220
Hours: Tues – Thurs 9 am – 3 pm

Lifetime Learning Centre Society acknowledges our partners and the the support provided by of the University of the Fraser Valley and Fraser Valley Regional Library.

 

 

 

Additional Thanks to the Following Community Businesses

• Miracle Springs Water
• Sue’s Copy Place
• Mackie Naturals
• MSA Poets Potpourri