Festival Metropolis Bleu : All Lit in a Week
Joseph Boyden at Blue Metropolis. Photo Rachel Levine
The annual Blue Met/Metropolis Bleu festival is literature heaven in Montreal. Book launches, readings, homages, panel discussions, fund raisers… there’s a little something for everyone during this week that is hot off the presses.
With a week of concurrently running event, it can be difficult to pick out what to attend. Here are some of our picks:
Vallum Magazine Launch 14:1 “Evolution”
Poetry, reviews, essays, and art all in one journal. James McKee, Phil Hall, Erin Moure, Sonnet L’Abbé, Catriona Wright, and E. Canine McJabber are around for readings. April 25 at 7 p.m. at the Rocket Science Room.
Anatomy of Malice: Joel E. Dimsdale
Author Joel Dimsdale and Munk Institute of Global Affairs and Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University Stephen Toope discuss their research on the Nurmeberg trial and Nazi criminals. April 26 at 7 p.m. Jewish Public Library.
Spreading the Word Webinar Launch
There are plenty of those in Quebec who enjoy reading books written in English by Quebec writers who are outside Montreal. The Quebec Writers’ Foundation, Seniors Action Quebec, and Canadian Heritage join forces to launch Spreading the Word, a new resource for retirees to create traditional and virtual book clubs. April 27 at 6 p.m. Hotel 10, Salle St. Laurent.
This Really Happened: This Isn’t What I Signed Up For
For fans of live storytelling, listen to tales by Francisco Goldman, Samah Sabawi, Josip Novakovich, Jeff Gandell, Maggie Panko, and Nisha Coleman about the moments that changed their lives. April 28 at 9 p.m. Hotel 10, Salle Godin.
Denise Donlon: As Fearless as Possible (Under the Circumstances)
Denise Donlon talks about everything from touring with Whitesnake to being president of Sony Music Canada. It’s a look at feminism, leadership, and of course, pop culture. April 28, 7:00 P.m., Hotel 10, Salle Jardin.
Who’s Afriad of the Past, Who’s Afraid of the Future
Alex Shoumatoff is a name that should be familiar to readers of The New YOrker. In his latest book, The Wasting of Borneo, he discusses how human greed is costing us the biodiversity of the planet. Hear him in conversation with Matt Zimbel. April 29, 3:30 p.m. Hotel 10, Salle Jardin.
Little Sister: Barbara Gowdy in Conversation with Kathleen Winter
Local author Heather O’Neill’s latest book, Little Sister, looks at motherhood, sisterhood, and empathy. April 29, 7 p.m. Librairie Drawn and Quarterly
This is just a small sampler of the many incredible events. Take writing workshops with Monique Polak, check out theatre at the Centaur, listen to the homage to Ann Charney, or attend a panel discussion on Cuba after Fidel. For more information, click HERE.
