Word! Symposium: talk, poetry, and performance
September 21-22, 2007
Muttart Hall, MacEwan – Alberta College Campus, 10050 MacDonald
Drive, Edmonton
Edmonton Cultural Capital partners with Grant MacEwan College to explore the many connections between everyday life, poetry, and art.
SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 21
SESSION ONE: 10:00 am – 12 noon
PAGE TO STAGE
Poetic inspiration comes in many forms. The artists featured in this
session discuss the nuances of creating work for different modes of
expression – from page to stage.
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FEATURED SPEAKER: ANNE SIMPSON (Nova Scotia) Anne Simpson is an acclaimed Canadian novelist and poet. Among her many honours are the 2004 Griffin Poetry Prize (for Loop) and the Journey Prize (for Dreaming Snow). She will speak to the topic Minding the Difference: Approaching Poetry and Fiction. |
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KRIS DEMEANOR (Calgary) Poet, songwriter, and underground legend from the alternative art world, Kris Deamenor will speak about expressing The Song in Words. |
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JACK McCARTHY (Washington) The presentations will be followed by audience participation and discussion |
LUNCH: Noon - 1: 30 pm
Lunch is included with registration
SESSION TWO, 1:30 – 4:00 pm
HEAR THIS! LIVE AND PERSONAL
Words jump off the page in this session, which showcases writers
who express personal, political and social issues through live performance.
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CHRIS CRADDOCK (Edmonton) A multi-talented and multi-award winning theatre artist, Chris Craddock is known for clever, poetic, and fast-paced writing, audaciously challenging both theatrical conventions and social taboos. He will speak on Acting Up and Out. |
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JAMES CARSON (Edmonton) Pianist and poet James’ daring and personal expression has many influences. He will speak on Celebrating Muses. |
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HEATHER HALEY (Vancouver) Poet, singer, publisher and media artist, Heather Haley is architect of the Edgewise ElectroLit Center and the Vancouver Videopoem Festival. Her own work has been published in numerous journals and e-zines. Anvil Press published a book of verse, Sideways, in 2003. Surfing Season, an audio CD of song and spoken word (2004). |
TALK BACK
4:00 – 5:00 pm
An open session for audience discussions and feedback.
Breaks will occur as needed during the day.
SHOULD’VE
FRIDAY EVENING, 8 pm
Timms Centre for the Arts - Second Play Space
3-146 Fine Arts Building, University of Alberta
Canadian Premiere
Should’ve
Death, mysteries, new bonds … a play about ethics in science
and art.
by Roald Hoffmann
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Roald Hoffmann is a Nobel Prize chemistry winner, poet and playwright. His third play, Should’ve is a riveting drama about survival, ethical conflicts and the social responsibility of scientists and artists. |
Edmonton based actors Maralyn Ryan, Michele Brown and Robert Clinton
star in this all absorbing seventy five minute drama
Directed by Stephen Heatley
Produced by Daniel van Heyst
Should’ve is free special event for all Word! Symposium registrants.
Presented by the Edmonton Cultural Capital Program
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
THE WIDER WORLD
SESSION ONE, 10AM-12 NOON
FEATURED SPEAKER: ROALD HOFFMANN (New York)
Thought Reactions, Science and Poetry
Dr. Roald Hoffmann’s achievements in art and science are remarkable
and wide ranging. He has written extensively about science, poetry and
philosophy, and in this session he will talk about the sometimes surprising
links between them.
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JALAL BARZANJI (Iraq/Edmonton) Writer in Exile Jalal Barzanji is an accomplished poet whose life and work encompasses many complexities as both an artist and ‘world’ citizen. He was recently honoured by being named Edmonton’s first Writer in Exile. |
VIDEO POETRY PROJECT: RHYTHM OF THE HEART (Edmonton)
Participants in this ongoing outreach project are youth who have experienced
challenges and struggles in their lives. Working alongside a poet,
video artist and mentor, video poems have been produced.
SESSION TWO, 1.30-4PM
Learning the Art of…
This session explores how poets marry creativity and craft, learning
to take delight in shaping inspiration through technique.
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FEATURED SPEAKER: GEORGE McWHIRTER (Vancouver) Vancouver’s Poet Laureate, acclaimed writer and beloved teacher, George McWhirter is a Canadian icon. He is renowned for his singular insight into the art of poetry, and his ability to inspire precision and skill in the poet. He will speak on Fitting Nuts to Thunderbolts: Precision out of Passion. |
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DOUGLAS BARBOUR (Edmonton) and SHEILA
MURPHY (Arizona,USA) |
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MORNINGSTAR MERCREDI (Edmonton) Writer and poet Mercredi Morningstar, acclaimed for her raw and honest portrayal of her own experiences, will talk about the traditions and contemporary view on making Stories of Lives. |
TALK BACK
4:00 – 5:00 pm
An open session for audience discussions and feedback.
SATURDAY EVENING, 8PM
WORD! GALA
MUTTART HALL, MacEwan – Alberta College Campus
10050 MacDonald Drive
Join us for a celebration of all things poetic! Featuring the world premiere
of Honour Songs, a fusion of Aboriginal poetry and art; Edmonton’s
new Poet Laureate Ted Blodgett, the Spoken Word Youth Choir, Jack McCarthy,
Jalal Barzanji, Alice Major and Anne Simpson.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
To register for Word! Symposium go to TIX on the Square, located on the SW corner of Sir Winston Churchill Square, or call 420-1757.
WEEKEND PASS IS $40, to all sessions, gala and special events, and includes
lunches and beverages and gift bag.
Individual tickets to daytime symposium sessions are $10, as available.
Word! Gala tickets are $10
Single tickets to the Canadian premiere of the play “Should’ve” are only available for registrants and are included with their registration package.
