Great news, book lovers! Imaginairium, Wordfest’s celebrated annual literary festival, has expanded this year with a full week of events from October 15 to 21. The venues include Memorial Park, downtown Central Libraries and DJD Dance Centre, and you can buy a festival pass and individual event tickets or enjoy some of the many free events.
With over 30 shows across the week, there’s a lot to take in, so here is just a sampling of events we’re excited about — one for every day of the week.
Tuesday, October 15, 7:30 p.m.
Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Created the Illusion of Success
Starring Susanne Craig. Hosted by Zain Velji
Patricia A. Whelan Theatre, Central Library
Calgary-raised Susanne Craig’s extensive sleuthing as a New York Times reporter deconstructed Trump’s story of being a self-made billionaire for the myth it is, thus throwing into question Trump’s claims that his business expertise qualifies him to lead the United States.
Wednesday, October 16, 7:30 p.m.
The Kris Demeanor & Deborah Willis Variety Show
Starring Carleigh Baker, Sig Burwash, Leah Hennel and Clem Martini
DJD Dance Centre
When you think of a literary festival, you likely don’t think of a cabaret-style show, but that’s what you’ll get when Calgary poet, songwriter (and writer of poetic songs) and actor Kris Demeanor and partner Deborah Willis, whose book Girlfriend on Mars earned a recent gushing review in the New York Times, anchor this show. Throw in talents like Leah Hennel, whose photos make meaning of life by holding moments aloft from time, playwright, novelist and screenwriter Clem Martini, graphic novelist Sig Burwash (also lauded by the NYT) and add ice – well, Icelandic/nêhiyaw writer Carleigh Baker and blend. You’re not sure what you’ll get, but this Kool-Aid will be worth drinking.
Thursday, October 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Turtle Island Reads (New Show)
Starring Carleigh Baker, Shashi Bhat, Fanny Britt, Sig Burwash, Anne Fleming, Richard Kelly Kemick & Conor Kerr. Hosted by Paula Turcotte
DJD Dance Centre
French, English, First Nations, and Métis writers from coast to coast expand on their takes on plays, stories, and poems, informed but not restrained by the boundaries of time and place.
Friday, October 18, 7:30 p.m.
Literary Death Match
Hosted by Adrian Todd Zuniga
Starring Shashi Bhat, JD Derbyshire, Roddy Doyle, Catherine Hernandez, Alice Kuipers, Heather O’Neill, Nita Prose & Alice Winn
DJD Dance Centre
The title intrigues, but beyond is a jewelled array of authors of short stories, novels, plays and children’s books from Ireland to authors across Canada and across landscapes from cis-gender to non-binary. This varied mix of writers will likely offer an anything-goes session with surprises in store.
Saturday, October 19, 1 PM
Our Green Hearts
Starring Diana Beresford-Kroeger & Kate Neville
Hosted Rosemary Griebel
Memorial Park Library, 2nd Floor
At press time, 11 Wordfest events were scheduled for Saturday, so this is a tough call. Diana Beresford-Kroeger specializes in medical biochemistry botany. But as a young girl, she was the last child in Ireland to receive a Druidic education, so reading her newest book, Our Green Heart: The Soul and Science of Forests, is like experiencing a parallel Braiding Sweetgrass universe across oceans. Paired with U of T professor Kate Neville, whose recent book Going to Seed: Essays on Idleness, Nature & Sustainable Work brings a lovely blend of personal reflection, science, literature and poetry to a look at a just future, this session will surely bring joy, introspection, and food for actionable thought.
Sunday, October 20, 3:30 p.m.
Tegan & Sara Crush Book Launch
Hosted by Sonia Clement
Patricia A. Whelan Theatre, Central Library
Whether you’ve been listening to their music for decades or just fell in love with them while watching High School, the series based on their memoir, hometown heroes Tegan and Sara have given voice to thousands of teens and beyond finding their way through life’s clouds and quagmires. Crush, a delightful graphic novel updated to reflect the impact of technology on teen lives, continues to illuminate that journey.
Monday, October 21, 7:30 p.m.
An Evening with Rachel Kushner
Hosted by Eric Volmers
Memorial Park Library, 2nd Floor
Rachel Kushner is one of Calgary Herald entertainment writer Eric Volmers’ favourite authors. But there’ll be no fanboying at this session, just a focused, fun exploration of Los Angeles-based Kushner’s secret-agent-focused novel, Creation Lake, and her many books beyond.
Find the complete Imaginairium schedule at wordfest.com.
