It is my friend Marc Lindy who came up with the idea of a PWB readings event.

Marc is a phenomenon. He is a recently retired podiatrist, but a very active, talented and sought-after player of the tuba and the serpent who performs across the world. He was a board member for Vancouver Co-Op Radio for years and hosted no fewer than three programs on the station.

Marc suggested, a few months ago, that there be a gathering, at Notional Space, where a group of local writers and artists would read five-minute passages from my poems and stories. My response, at first, was “Really?”. There followed the expected agonies of gratitude, self-doubt, excitement, nervousness…

As to my modest protestations, Marc took Lydia’s lead and told me, simply, to “get over myself”, and “it’s happening”. As much as I’m able, I have “got over myself”. It is, indeed, happening. On Sunday, March 24th from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm.

The lineup of readers is truly a marvel. These are people whom I deeply admire; they are my friends and, in some cases, my mentors. What an honour it will be to hear my work delivered in their voices. I am so thankful to the following people for agreeing to read:

• Dana Cromie
• Marc Lindy
• George McWhirter
• Donal O’Hanlon (appearing by video from Newry, Co Armagh, Northern Ireland)
• Shauna Paull
• Louise Schwarz
• Kevin Spenst
• John Swanson
• RC Weslowski
• Sangeeta Wylie

Notional Space is the coolest possible venue for holding such a gathering. Hosts Mark and Yoo-Mi are generous proponents of the gift economy and the space they have created for performances of music, dance, drama, literature and activist presentations has enriched the cultural landscape of Vancouver immeasurably. Read about the gift-economy ethos that animates Notional Space here.

For further details about the event, click here. It would be wonderful if you would join us.