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Thursday October 15, 2020

09:00
AM
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11:59
PM
2020-10-15 09:00:00 2020-10-15 09:00:00 America/Edmonton Immersive Reading: Michelle Parise Michelle Parise, Alone: A Love Story: Experience a bit of Parise's Calabrese heritage as you cook along with her reading. Food is love, family, and all things Italian. Virtual/Online LitFest Alberta info@litfestalberta.org
Feature Author
Free Events

Immersive Reading: Michelle Parise

Virtual/Online
Edmonton, AB
    Tickets
    Performer/Artist

    Michelle Parise, Alone: A Love Story: Experience a bit of Parise's Calabrese heritage as you cook along with her reading. Food is love, family, and all things Italian.

    09:00
    AM
    -
    11:59
    PM
    2020-10-15 09:00:00 2020-10-15 09:00:00 America/Edmonton Immersive Reading: Vivek Shraya Vivek Shraya, God Loves Hair: Colour in Juliana Neufeld's illustrations from the 10th anniversary edition of the book as you listen to this reading. This book comes with an author-signed bookplate. Virtual/Online LitFest Alberta info@litfestalberta.org
    Feature Author
    Free Events

    Immersive Reading: Vivek Shraya

    Virtual/Online
    Edmonton, AB
      Tickets
      Author
      Performer/Artist
      Performer/Artist

      Vivek Shraya, God Loves Hair: Colour in Juliana Neufeld's illustrations from the 10th anniversary edition of the book as you listen to this reading. This book comes with an author-signed bookplate.

      09:00
      AM
      -
      11:59
      PM
      2020-10-15 09:00:00 2020-10-15 09:00:00 America/Edmonton Immersive Reading: Beyond the Food Court Beyond the Food Court: An Anthology of Literary Cuisines: The authors of this book are writers from diverse ethnic backgrounds that call Edmonton home. The reading is a selection of short parts from five of the contributors, each musing on foods found here and in their homeland. Enjoy this with a mix of international spices and accompanying recipes. Virtual/Online LitFest Alberta info@litfestalberta.org
      Feature Author
      Free Events

      Immersive Reading: Beyond the Food Court

      Virtual/Online
      Edmonton, AB
        Tickets
        and more...
        Beyond the Food Court: An Anthology of Literary Cuisines: The authors of this book are writers from diverse ethnic backgrounds that call Edmonton home. The reading is a selection of short parts from five of the contributors, each musing on foods found here and in their homeland. Enjoy this with a mix of international spices and accompanying recipes.
        Event Sponsors
        09:00
        AM
        -
        11:59
        PM
        2020-10-15 09:00:00 2020-10-15 09:00:00 America/Edmonton Immersive Reading: David Berry David Berry, On Nostalgia: Nothing says "memories of Edmonton" like a walk along the High Level Bridge, along with a cup of cocoa and sweet treats. Virtual/Online LitFest Alberta info@litfestalberta.org
        Feature Author
        Free Events

        Immersive Reading: David Berry

        Virtual/Online
        Edmonton, AB
          Tickets
          Author
          Performer/Artist
          David Berry, On Nostalgia: Nothing says "memories of Edmonton" like a walk along the High Level Bridge, along with a cup of cocoa and sweet treats.
          05:00
          PM
          -
          06:00
          PM
          2020-10-15 17:00:00 2020-10-15 17:00:00 America/Edmonton Beyond the Food Court Launch To kick off the festival in virtual space, the contributors to Beyond the Food Court — all writers from diverse ethnic backgrounds that call Edmonton home — gather to celebrate the launch of their anthology, along with editor and publisher Luciana Erregue. Virtual/Online LitFest Alberta info@litfestalberta.org
          Free Events
          Panel

          Beyond the Food Court Launch

          Virtual/Online
          Edmonton, AB
            Tickets
            and more...
            To kick off the festival in virtual space, the contributors to Beyond the Food Court — all writers from diverse ethnic backgrounds that call Edmonton home — gather to celebrate the launch of their anthology, along with editor and publisher Luciana Erregue.

            Friday October 16, 2020

            05:00
            PM
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            06:00
            PM
            2020-10-16 17:00:00 2020-10-16 17:00:00 America/Edmonton Big Friendship Top-ranking podcasters Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow of Call Your Girlfriend discuss their new book, Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close. Note: Admission to this event includes a copy of Big Friendship, delivered by Glass Bookshop. Virtual/Online LitFest Alberta info@litfestalberta.org
            Feature Author

            Big Friendship

            Virtual/Online
            Edmonton, AB
              Tickets
              Author
              Author
              Moderator / Host
              Top-ranking podcasters Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow of Call Your Girlfriend discuss their new book, Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close. Note: Admission to this event includes a copy of Big Friendship, delivered by Glass Bookshop.

              Saturday October 17, 2020

              10:00
              AM
              -
              11:00
              AM
              2020-10-17 10:00:00 2020-10-17 10:00:00 America/Edmonton Masterclass: Adventurous Writing: Exploring the Environment Through Creative Non-Fiction with James Raffan James Raffan explores the challenges and opportunities that come with writing about the environment. He discusses creative nonfiction as an effective approach to engaging readers, and addresses the connections between wild spaces and Indigenous peoples, along with the challenges of voice and appropriation that exist for the creative nonfiction writer. Virtual/Online LitFest Alberta info@litfestalberta.org
              Workshop

              Masterclass: Adventurous Writing: Exploring the Environment Through Creative Non-Fiction with James Raffan

              Virtual/Online
              Edmonton, AB
                Tickets
                Author
                James Raffan explores the challenges and opportunities that come with writing about the environment. He discusses creative nonfiction as an effective approach to engaging readers, and addresses the connections between wild spaces and Indigenous peoples, along with the challenges of voice and appropriation that exist for the creative nonfiction writer.
                02:00
                PM
                -
                03:00
                PM
                2020-10-17 14:00:00 2020-10-17 14:00:00 America/Edmonton The Memoir Hour: Helen Knott, David A. Robertson & Christa Couture Three panelists with memoirs on incredible resilience, and finding your identity amid challenges of all kinds. Featuring Helen Knott (In My Own Moccasins), David A. Robertson (Black Water), and Christa Couture (How to Lose Everything). Virtual/Online LitFest Alberta info@litfestalberta.org
                Feature Author
                Free Events
                Panel

                The Memoir Hour: Helen Knott, David A. Robertson & Christa Couture

                Virtual/Online
                Edmonton, AB
                  Tickets
                  Author Panelist
                  Author Panelist
                  Author Panelist
                  Moderator / Host
                  Three panelists with memoirs on incredible resilience, and finding your identity amid challenges of all kinds. Featuring Helen Knott (In My Own Moccasins), David A. Robertson (Black Water), and Christa Couture (How to Lose Everything).
                  04:00
                  PM
                  -
                  05:00
                  PM
                  2020-10-17 16:00:00 2020-10-17 16:00:00 America/Edmonton In Conversation: Michelle Parise Alone: A Love Story is Michelle Parise's memoir of falling in love, the fallout of infidelity, and everything messy in between. Her memoir is the inspiration behind the hit CBC podcast of the same name. Virtual/Online LitFest Alberta info@litfestalberta.org
                  Feature Author
                  Free Events

                  In Conversation: Michelle Parise

                  Virtual/Online
                  Edmonton, AB
                    Tickets
                    Moderator / Host
                    Alone: A Love Story is Michelle Parise's memoir of falling in love, the fallout of infidelity, and everything messy in between. Her memoir is the inspiration behind the hit CBC podcast of the same name.

                    Sunday October 18, 2020

                    11:30
                    AM
                    -
                    12:30
                    PM
                    2020-10-18 11:30:00 2020-10-18 11:30:00 America/Edmonton Masterclass: Jottings from a Nonfiction Insomniac This seminar will touch upon some of the questions that keep me awake: How do you write a memoir when your memory’s shot? How do you tell the truth when the truth hurts others? When is nonfiction therapy and when is it art? Virtual/Online LitFest Alberta info@litfestalberta.org
                    Workshop

                    Masterclass: Jottings from a Nonfiction Insomniac

                    Virtual/Online
                    Edmonton, AB
                      Tickets
                      Author
                      This seminar will touch upon some of the questions that keep me awake: How do you write a memoir when your memory’s shot? How do you tell the truth when the truth hurts others? When is nonfiction therapy and when is it art?
                      01:00
                      PM
                      -
                      02:00
                      PM
                      2020-10-18 13:00:00 2020-10-18 13:00:00 America/Edmonton PANEL: Get Outside In these pandemic times, we're all looking for ways to spend time in the great outdoors. Authors Gina Rae La Cerva (Feasting Wild), Julia Zarankin (Field Notes from an Unintentional Birder), and Tørbjørn Ekelund (In Praise of Paths) offer stories and ideas on how to make the most of your time outside. Hosted by Alexis Kienlen.  Virtual/Online LitFest Alberta info@litfestalberta.org
                      Free Events
                      Panel

                      PANEL: Get Outside

                      Virtual/Online
                      Edmonton, AB
                        Tickets
                        Moderator / Host
                        In these pandemic times, we're all looking for ways to spend time in the great outdoors. Authors Gina Rae La Cerva (Feasting Wild), Julia Zarankin (Field Notes from an Unintentional Birder), and Tørbjørn Ekelund (In Praise of Paths) offer stories and ideas on how to make the most of your time outside. Hosted by Alexis Kienlen. 

                        Monday October 19, 2020

                        06:00
                        PM
                        -
                        07:00
                        PM
                        2020-10-19 18:00:00 2020-10-19 18:00:00 America/Edmonton In Conversation: Ian Keteku Join us in meeting Ian Keteku, spoken word poet, musician, and artist, with a look into his celebrated body of work, his new book and latest album, and an immersive Q & A about his process of writing, his history as an artist, and where he is headed next. Ian's work is transcendent, defying the boundaries of single disciplines and genres, and asking listeners to lean in and embrace art for all it has to offer. This event is not to be missed for fans of sound, words, and music. Hosted by Edmonton Poet Laureate, Nisha Patel. Virtual/Online LitFest Alberta info@litfestalberta.org
                        Feature Author
                        Free Events

                        In Conversation: Ian Keteku

                        Virtual/Online
                        Edmonton, AB
                          Tickets
                          Poet
                          Moderator / Host
                          Join us in meeting Ian Keteku, spoken word poet, musician, and artist, with a look into his celebrated body of work, his new book and latest album, and an immersive Q & A about his process of writing, his history as an artist, and where he is headed next. Ian's work is transcendent, defying the boundaries of single disciplines and genres, and asking listeners to lean in and embrace art for all it has to offer. This event is not to be missed for fans of sound, words, and music. Hosted by Edmonton Poet Laureate, Nisha Patel.
                          07:30
                          PM
                          -
                          08:30
                          PM
                          2020-10-19 19:30:00 2020-10-19 19:30:00 America/Edmonton Harnarayan Singh: One Game at A Time From the distinct and vibrant voice behind Hockey Night in Canada Punjabi comes the story of pursuing a dream and defying the odds, reminding us all of hockey’s power to unite. Author Harnarayan Singh discusses his new book with Sportsnet senior columnist Mark Spector. Virtual/Online LitFest Alberta info@litfestalberta.org
                          Feature Author

                          Harnarayan Singh: One Game at A Time

                          Virtual/Online
                          Edmonton, AB
                            Tickets
                            Moderator / Host
                            From the distinct and vibrant voice behind Hockey Night in Canada Punjabi comes the story of pursuing a dream and defying the odds, reminding us all of hockey’s power to unite. Author Harnarayan Singh discusses his new book with Sportsnet senior columnist Mark Spector.

                            Tuesday October 20, 2020

                            05:00
                            PM
                            -
                            06:00
                            PM
                            2020-10-20 17:00:00 2020-10-20 17:00:00 America/Edmonton In Conversation: Billy-Ray Belcourt The youngest ever winner of the Griffin Poetry Prize, Billy-Ray Belcourt mines his personal history to reconcile the world he was born into with the world that could be in his debut memoir, A History of My Brief Body. With startling honesty, and in a voice distinctly and assuredly his own, Belcourt situates his life experiences within a constellation of seminal queer texts, among which this book is sure to earn its place. Virtual/Online LitFest Alberta info@litfestalberta.org
                            Feature Author

                            In Conversation: Billy-Ray Belcourt

                            Virtual/Online
                            Edmonton, AB
                              Tickets
                              Moderator / Host
                              The youngest ever winner of the Griffin Poetry Prize, Billy-Ray Belcourt mines his personal history to reconcile the world he was born into with the world that could be in his debut memoir, A History of My Brief Body. With startling honesty, and in a voice distinctly and assuredly his own, Belcourt situates his life experiences within a constellation of seminal queer texts, among which this book is sure to earn its place.
                              07:00
                              PM
                              -
                              08:00
                              PM
                              2020-10-20 19:00:00 2020-10-20 19:00:00 America/Edmonton In Conversation: Jordan Abel Jordan Abel is a multimedia artist with roots in exploring colonization through textual and poetic interpretation. His work encompasses multifaceted research and presents an intense, calculated and human look at the conditions of living in a colonial state. His works weave a technical mastery of elements and story, provoking us to think about how we read and what we're reading. His new work, out soon, is again defiant of a single genre. Join us in this reading and Q&A, hosted by Matthew James Weigel. Virtual/Online LitFest Alberta info@litfestalberta.org
                              Feature Author
                              Free Events

                              In Conversation: Jordan Abel

                              Virtual/Online
                              Edmonton, AB
                                Tickets
                                Moderator / Host
                                Jordan Abel is a multimedia artist with roots in exploring colonization through textual and poetic interpretation. His work encompasses multifaceted research and presents an intense, calculated and human look at the conditions of living in a colonial state. His works weave a technical mastery of elements and story, provoking us to think about how we read and what we're reading. His new work, out soon, is again defiant of a single genre. Join us in this reading and Q&A, hosted by Matthew James Weigel.

                                Wednesday October 21, 2020

                                07:00
                                PM
                                -
                                08:00
                                PM
                                2020-10-21 19:00:00 2020-10-21 19:00:00 America/Edmonton Nonfiction Sto-Po Slam Co-curated by LitFest and Edmonton Poetry Festival, this year's Nonfiction Slam will feature prose stories and poetry entries. 4 stories, 4 poems, one winner. All glory. Grab a beverage and join in to be part of the live audience that votes for winner! Virtual/Online LitFest Alberta info@litfestalberta.org
                                Feature Author
                                Free Events

                                Nonfiction Sto-Po Slam

                                Virtual/Online
                                Edmonton, AB
                                  Tickets
                                  and more...
                                  Co-curated by LitFest and Edmonton Poetry Festival, this year's Nonfiction Slam will feature prose stories and poetry entries. 4 stories, 4 poems, one winner. All glory. Grab a beverage and join in to be part of the live audience that votes for winner!

                                  Thursday October 22, 2020

                                  05:00
                                  PM
                                  -
                                  06:00
                                  PM
                                  2020-10-22 17:00:00 2020-10-22 17:00:00 America/Edmonton Masterclass: On Biographies with Michael Posner Everything you need to know about oral biography in one easy lesson, with renowned biographer Michael Posner. Virtual/Online LitFest Alberta info@litfestalberta.org
                                  Workshop

                                  Masterclass: On Biographies with Michael Posner

                                  Virtual/Online
                                  Edmonton, AB
                                    Tickets
                                    Everything you need to know about oral biography in one easy lesson, with renowned biographer Michael Posner.

                                    Friday October 23, 2020

                                    05:00
                                    PM
                                    -
                                    06:00
                                    PM
                                    2020-10-23 17:00:00 2020-10-23 17:00:00 America/Edmonton Sh*t, Actually with Lindy West Shit, Actually is a love letter and a break-up note all in one: to the films that shaped us and the ones that ruined us. More often than not, West finds, they’re one and the same. New York Times opinion writer and bestselling author Lindy West will be in conversation with Vivek Shraya. Virtual/Online LitFest Alberta info@litfestalberta.org
                                    Feature Author

                                    Sh*t, Actually with Lindy West

                                    Virtual/Online
                                    Edmonton, AB
                                      Tickets
                                      Author
                                      Moderator / Host
                                      Shit, Actually is a love letter and a break-up note all in one: to the films that shaped us and the ones that ruined us. More often than not, West finds, they’re one and the same.
                                      New York Times opinion writer and bestselling author Lindy West will be in conversation with Vivek Shraya.
                                      07:30
                                      PM
                                      -
                                      08:30
                                      PM
                                      2020-10-23 19:30:00 2020-10-23 19:30:00 America/Edmonton The Polyglot: Indigenous Languages Issues Launch Are you fascinated by poetry, languages, and art? Are you curious to witness Indigenous language reclamation and revitalization through creative self-expression? Then please join us for The Polyglot’s (www.the polyglot magazine.com) launch of our double issue—nimitêyaniy and nitêh. These issues were curated by Naomi McIlwraith and Dorothy Thunder, and feature 36 brilliant Indigenous poets and artists. This launch showcases a film of sixteen of our contributors reading their poems or talking about their art, weaving their insights on language, culture, and Indigenous identities The Polyglot would like to acknowledge and deeply thank the Edmonton Arts Council for their support and funding of this project. A special mahsi cho to the Edmonton Poetry Festival for supporting us with this launch. The covers of the issues feature art by Lana Whiskeyjack (nimitêyaniy) and Jade Roberts (nitêh). The words of the issues correspond to tongue and heart in nêhiyawêwin (Cree). Virtual/Online LitFest Alberta info@litfestalberta.org
                                      Feature Author
                                      Free Events

                                      The Polyglot: Indigenous Languages Issues Launch

                                      Virtual/Online
                                      Edmonton, AB
                                        Tickets
                                        and more...
                                        Are you fascinated by poetry, languages, and art? Are you curious to witness Indigenous language reclamation and revitalization through creative self-expression? Then please join us for The Polyglot’s (www.the polyglot magazine.com) launch of our double issue—nimitêyaniy and nitêh. These issues were curated by Naomi McIlwraith and Dorothy Thunder, and feature 36 brilliant Indigenous poets and artists. This launch showcases a film of sixteen of our contributors reading their poems or talking about their art, weaving their insights on language, culture, and Indigenous identities

                                        The Polyglot would like to acknowledge and deeply thank the Edmonton Arts Council for their support and funding of this project. A special mahsi cho to the Edmonton Poetry Festival for supporting us with this launch. The covers of the issues feature art by Lana Whiskeyjack (nimitêyaniy) and Jade Roberts (nitêh). The words of the issues correspond to tongue and heart in nêhiyawêwin (Cree).

                                        Saturday October 24, 2020

                                        10:00
                                        AM
                                        -
                                        11:00
                                        AM
                                        2020-10-24 10:00:00 2020-10-24 10:00:00 America/Edmonton Masterclass: Confronting our own bias with Lauren McKeon Whether we’re writing memoir, fiction, or reported non-fiction, our ability and willingness to confront our own bias and privilege informs the quality, richness, and intellectual rigour of our work. Editor and journalist Lauren McKeon knows that recognizing bias is a messy and often uncomfortable task. It involves talking—and, more importantly, listening—to people who have different lived experiences than we do, and being deeply honest about our own assumptions, experiences, and shortcomings. In this 90-minute workshop, McKeon discusses strategies for tackling bias in our research and writing, and how to intentionally hold space for diverse voices. The author also talks about how she learns from each project, and why recognizing privilege and bias is constant, ever-evolving, and always worthwhile work. Virtual/Online LitFest Alberta info@litfestalberta.org
                                        Workshop

                                        Masterclass: Confronting our own bias with Lauren McKeon

                                        Virtual/Online
                                        Edmonton, AB
                                          Tickets
                                          Author
                                          Moderator / Host
                                          Whether we’re writing memoir, fiction, or reported non-fiction, our ability and willingness to confront our own bias and privilege informs the quality, richness, and intellectual rigour of our work. Editor and journalist Lauren McKeon knows that recognizing bias is a messy and often uncomfortable task. It involves talking—and, more importantly, listening—to people who have different lived experiences than we do, and being deeply honest about our own assumptions, experiences, and shortcomings. In this 90-minute workshop, McKeon discusses strategies for tackling bias in our research and writing, and how to intentionally hold space for diverse voices. The author also talks about how she learns from each project, and why recognizing privilege and bias is constant, ever-evolving, and always worthwhile work.
                                          12:00
                                          PM
                                          -
                                          01:00
                                          PM
                                          2020-10-24 12:00:00 2020-10-24 12:00:00 America/Edmonton Masterclass: To The Bone: The Poetic in the Personal with Titilope Sonuga If “the poem does not start until you start to tell the truth” then a poet’s work is to be relentless in the search for that truth both on and off the page. This workshop is an excavation into the bone, into the truth, to write poems from the depth of our personal experiences. Through a series of writing exercises and discussion, the workshop will ask, “Who am I?”, “What do I want to say?”, "Why does my story matter?" and “What is my responsibility to myself and to the audience in telling my story?” Virtual/Online LitFest Alberta info@litfestalberta.org
                                          Workshop

                                          Masterclass: To The Bone: The Poetic in the Personal with Titilope Sonuga

                                          Virtual/Online
                                          Edmonton, AB
                                            Tickets
                                            Moderator / Host
                                            If “the poem does not start until you start to tell the truth” then a poet’s work is to be relentless in the search for that truth both on and off the page. This workshop is an excavation into the bone, into the truth, to write poems from the depth of our personal experiences. Through a series of writing exercises and discussion, the workshop will ask, “Who am I?”, “What do I want to say?”, "Why does my story matter?" and “What is my responsibility to myself and to the audience in telling my story?”
                                            02:00
                                            PM
                                            -
                                            03:00
                                            PM
                                            2020-10-24 14:00:00 2020-10-24 14:00:00 America/Edmonton Divine Bodies & Disfigured: Narratives on Disability A one-on-one conversation with author Amanda Leduc (Disfigured: On Fairy Stories, Disability, and Making Space) and poet Brandon Wint (Divine Animal). Virtual/Online LitFest Alberta info@litfestalberta.org
                                            Feature Author
                                            Free Events

                                            Divine Bodies & Disfigured: Narratives on Disability

                                            Virtual/Online
                                            Edmonton, AB
                                              Tickets
                                              A one-on-one conversation with author Amanda Leduc (Disfigured: On Fairy Stories, Disability, and Making Space) and poet Brandon Wint (Divine Animal).

                                              Sunday October 25, 2020

                                              11:00
                                              AM
                                              -
                                              12:30
                                              PM
                                              2020-10-25 11:00:00 2020-10-25 11:00:00 America/Edmonton Brunch of Writers It's Food Matters + the annual Brunch of Writers rolled into one online potluck! Host Jennifer Cockrall-King leads the way with MasterChef Canada season 3 winner Mary Berg and Beyond the Food Court Luciana Erregue and Mila Philipzig. Virtual/Online LitFest Alberta info@litfestalberta.org
                                              Feature Author
                                              Free Events

                                              Brunch of Writers

                                              Virtual/Online
                                              Edmonton, AB
                                                Tickets
                                                It's Food Matters + the annual Brunch of Writers rolled into one online potluck! Host Jennifer Cockrall-King leads the way with MasterChef Canada season 3 winner Mary Berg and Beyond the Food Court Luciana Erregue and Mila Philipzig.
                                                07:00
                                                PM
                                                -
                                                08:00
                                                PM
                                                2020-10-25 19:00:00 2020-10-25 19:00:00 America/Edmonton In Conversation with Desmond Cole (STARfest) Both Cole’s activism and journalism find vibrant expression in his first book, The Skin We’re In: A Year of Black Resistance and Power. Puncturing the bubble of Canadian smugness and naive assumptions of a post-racial nation, Cole chronicles just one year—2017—in the struggle against racism in this country. In conversation with host Jesse Lipscombe. This event is presented by STARfest. Virtual/Online LitFest Alberta info@litfestalberta.org
                                                Feature Author

                                                In Conversation with Desmond Cole (STARfest)

                                                Virtual/Online
                                                Edmonton, AB
                                                  Tickets
                                                  Both Cole’s activism and journalism find vibrant expression in his first book, The Skin We’re In: A Year of Black Resistance and Power. Puncturing the bubble of Canadian smugness and naive assumptions of a post-racial nation, Cole chronicles just one year—2017—in the struggle against racism in this country. In conversation with host Jesse Lipscombe. This event is presented by STARfest.
                                                  Event Sponsors