SUPPORT THE LITERARY ARTS BY ATTENDING ONE OR MORE OF THESE ONTARIO EVENTS OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC!
(DISCLAIMER: Information is updated on a regular basis but please double check with the organization of each respective event to ensure the details haven’t changed before you head out. – January 3, 2020)
TARNISHED TROPHIES BOOK TOUR SCHEDULE: 2014 AND 2015.
MY PREVIOUS READINGS AND WORKSHOPS: 2016-2017 AND 2018.
MY CURRENT READINGS AND WORKSHOPS: 2019.
COMPLETED EVENTS:
TORONTO EVENTS:
Lit Net TO, compiled by the Toronto Literary Organizer, is a weekly e-mailed newsletter that highlights literary activities such as reading series, poetry slams, local author book launches, literary festival events, and more taking place in and around Toronto. Those interested in subscribing to this FREE newsletter may sign-up here.
ONTARIO EVENTS:
DECEMBER 17, 2019 in TORONTO: The Art Bar Poetry Series and the Rowers Reading Series present “The Dead Poets Society Night” featuring three sets of four readers: Kent Bowman, David Chilton, Brenda Clews, Simon Constam, Suparna Ghosh, Troy Harkin, Beatriz Hauser, Bruce Meyer, and Mary Rykov. Dead poets being covered: Milton Acorn, Leonard Cohen, Gerald Manley Hopkins, Thomas James, W. S. Merwin, Mary Oliver, Pedro Pietri, Ted Plantos, Al Purdy, Raymod Souster, Rabindranath Tagore, and Ludwig Zeller. NOTE: There will not be an open mic. Guest host: David Clink. Doors open at 5 p.m. for Dinner with doors open for event at 6:30 p.m. NOTE the early start around 7 to 10 p.m. at the change in venue: The Supermarket Restaurant and Bar, 268 Augusta Avenue. There is a cover charge for this event. (NOTE: THE ART BAR POETRY SERIES WILL BE CLOSED OVER THE HOLIDAY SEASON (DECEMBER 24 AND 31) AND WILL RETURN JANUARY 7, 2020.)
DECEMBER 17, 2019 in TORONTO: Shab-e She’r (Poetry Night) LXXX presents featured poets A.F. Moritz and Janice Jo Lee with hosts Banoo Zan and Terese Pierre. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Open-mic sign-up at 6:30 p.m. Show at 7 to 10 p.m. at Main Hall of the Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Avenue. There is a cover charge.
DECEMBER 16, 2019 in SARNIA: “Open Stage” at the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts. Hosted by singer-songwriter Gregger Botting. Held on the second and third Monday of each month. Welcomes music, poetry, storytelling, prose and those who wish to just listen. 7 to 9:30 p.m. at 127 Christina Street South. Admission is free
DECEMBER 15, 2019 in OAKVILLE: The Oakville Literary Cafe presents Allan Briesmaster and Ivey Reiss, 4 to 6 p.m. at the art gallery of Joshua Creek Heritage Arat Centre, 1986 Burnhamthorpe Road East.
DECEMBER 14, 2019 in WHITBY: The Writers’ Community of Durham Region presents a Pro Panel: Cryssa Bazos, James Dewar, and Heather Whaley, 9:30 to 12 noon (doors open at 9 a.m.) at Durham Collage, 1610 Champlain Avenue. NOTE: This is a ticketed event. Advance registration recommended.
DECEMBER 12, 2019 in BARRIE: Word’s Up presents the last event for 2019 featuring guest authors Bruce Meyer and K. R. Wilson followed by an open mic, 7 to 9 p.m. at Unity Market Cafe & Studios, 25 Toronto Street.
DECEMBER 11, 2019 in WINDSOR: By Then River Reading Series presents Laurence Hutchman, Marty Gervais, and D. A. Lockhart, 7 p.m. at Mackenzie Hall. Open to the public.
DECEMBER 11, 2019 in LONDON: Author John Matsui will present “From Journalist to Novelist: A Storyteller’s Journey”, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Canadian Club of London, Double Tree by Hilton, Queen Victoria Room, Third Floor, 300 King Street. NOTE: This is a ticketed event.
DECEMBER 10, 2019 in TORONTO: The Art Bar Poetry Series presents featured readers Allan Briesmaster with his new book The Long Bond: Selected and New Poems (Guernica Editions 2019), John Nyman, and Marsha Barber followed by an open mic. Guest host: TBA, 8 p.m. at Free Times Café, 320 College Street. There is a cover charge for this event.
Toronto launch on December 1, 2019
DECEMBER 10, 2019 in LONDON: Forest City Open Mic for Poetry (formerly called Mykonos Open Mic Poetry Series) held on the second Tuesday of the month from September to June. Featured guest reader TBA plus open mic to follow. Sign-up for open mic readers at the door. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Event: 7 to 10 p.m. at Mykonos Restaurant, 572 Adelaide Street North (at Elias Street). Admission is free.
DECEMBER 9, 2019 in HAMILTON: The Hamilton Arts Council Literary Awards 2019 celebrates its 26th anniversary of recognizing published books of literary excellence written by authors residing in Hamilton, 7 to 10 p.m. at the Theatre Aquarius, 190 King William Street.
DECEMBER 9, 2019 in SARNIA: “Open Stage” at the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts. Hosted by singer-songwriter Gregger Botting. Held on the second and third Monday of each month. Welcomes music, poetry, storytelling, prose and those who wish to just listen. 7 to 9:30 p.m. at 127 Christina Street South. Admission is free.
DECEMBER 9, 2019 in KITCHENER: A special discussion about climate change storytelling with Jesse Thistle, Laurie D. Graham, Timothy Leduc, and Cate Sandilands, etidot of the forthcoming anthology Rising Tides: Reflections for Climate Changing Times, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Kitchener Public Library, 85 Queen Street North NOTE: This is a ticketed event via eventbrite.
DECEMBER 9, 2019 in TORONTO: Poetry performance with the legendary bill bissett who is celebrating his 80th birthday and the launch of Collected Works: breth: the teez uv lunaria: selektid rare n nu pomes n drawings, 1957-2019, 8 p.m. at Tarragon Theater, 30 Bridgman Avenue.
DECEMBER 9, 2019 in POINT EDWARD: Writers Helping Writers (WHW) workshop: Lambton County writers are invited to a weekly workshop for writers, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. each Monday (except holiday Mondays and the summer months of July and August) at Point Edward Library on Michigan Avenue. More details: bobandjane62@gmail.com (NOTE: WORKSHOPS FOR DECEMBER HAVE BEEN CANCELLED. THE GROUP RETURNS ON JANUARY 6, 2020.)
DECEMBER 8, 2019 in TORONTO: More Songs & Poems featuring Max Layton and the musical wizardry of Bob Cohen, Ed Roth, and Mary Hanson. Special guests will be Sabrina Gomes, Pat Connors, and Norman Allan. Hosted by Poet-To-Poet and Tranzac Club, 5 to 7 p.m. at the Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Avenue. No cover but pay what you can.
DECEMBER 8, 2019 in OAKVILLE: Poetry & Prose Free Open Mic Salon featuring Fay Copland and Ken Marvell plus an open mic with an optional ‘Festive Season” theme, 2 to 4 p.m. at A Taste of Columbia cafe’s studio, 67 Bronte Road
DECEMBER 8, 2019 in HAMILTON: The celebration of G. W. Down’s newest book of poetry Sonnets for Sahara Nights (Potlatch Publications 2019), 2 to 4 p.m. at Christ’s Church Cathedral, 252 James Street North. Parking is available in the church lot off Hughson Street and at the municipal lot off Hughson Street next to the church. Please note the Cathedral’s front doors on James Street with not be open; please access the church from the door off the parking lot. Everyone is welcome.
Launching Sunday, December 8, 2019 in Hamilton
DECEMBER 8, 2019 in WINDSOR: Writer Vanessa Shields and illustrator Glen Hawkes have teamed up to create From A to Ziffery Zanks, described as “a quirky, grossly entertaining poetry book for kids of all ages”. Their book signing event runs from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the Rogues Gallery Comics, 327 Chatham Street West.
DECEMBER 7, 2019 in ST. CATHARINES: The Niagara Branch of the Canadian Authors Association presents Sam Hiyate, CEO and Agent of The Rights Factory. His free morning session will focus on market needs, trends, and must haves, 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in the Mills Room at the St. Catharines Central Library, 54 Church Street. Registration required. See details below. Note: there is a charge for the afternoon or private sessions.
DECEMBER 6, 2019 in SARNIA: First Friday and The Young Canuckstorian Project presents The Lambton Swamp Phantom and the Griffon Treasure, an exciting new graphic novel exploring the history of Lambton County, 6 to 9 p.m. in the Heritage Room of the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts.
DECEMBER 6, 2019 in SARNIA: The official launch/release/signing of 111 Butterfly Moments by local author Audrey Stringer, 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Maran Fashions, 186 Christina Street North.
Photo courtesy: The Book Keeper
DECEMBER 5, 2019 in LONDON: LOMP: reading series & open mic (held on the first Wednesday of each month). This month’s feature is Vanessa Brown in conversation with Emily Kingsmill. Open mic to follow: bring a poem, an excerpt of fiction, a chunk of your memoir, or a paragraph of creative non-fiction, and partake. Doors open at 5 p.m. Readings 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. TAP Centre for Creativity, 203 Dundas Street. PLEASE NOTE: DATE/TIME CHANGED FROM WEDNESDAY TO THURSDAY AT 5:30 P.M.
DECEMBER 4, 2019 in TORONTO: Quattro Books launches new work by Frances Boyle, Alan Blum, Siobhan Jamison, Joseph Maviglia, Steven McCabae, Michael Mirolla, Harry Posner, and Syr Ruus, 7 to 9 p.m. at Houdstooth Coffee Bar, 818 College Street (half a block east of Ossington. North side)
DECEMBER 4, 2019 in SARNIA: The Play’s the Thing: a participatory play reading held on the first Wednesday of the month. This month’s feature: TBA. 6:30 p.m. in the Turret Room of The Lawrence House Centre for the Arts, 127 Christina Street South. Come to read or to listen. Admission is free.
DECEMBER 3, 2019 in TORONTO: The Art Bar Poetry Series presents featured readers Pierre ‘Abbe, Beatriz Hausner, and Barbara Landry followed by an open mic. Guest host: Rosa Arlotto, 8 p.m. at Free Times Café, 320 College Street. There is a cover charge for this event
DECEMBER 3, 2019 in TWEED: First Tuesday Muse Poetry & Spoken Word Open Mic, 7 p.m. at the Tweedsmuir Tavern, 211 Victoria Street.
DECEMBER 3, 2019 in TORONTO: WORD: Poetry and Open Mic by Wild Writers, held every first Tuesday of the month, this month’s feature is Julia Gibson and Kate Marshall Flaherty followed by an open mic (10 spots) 7 to 9 p.m. at Poetry Jazz Café, 224 Augusta Avenue.
DECEMBER 3, 2019 in TORONTO: The Rowers Reading Series presents Alicia Elliott, Dominik Parisien, and Giovanna Riccio, 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. at Glad Day Bookshop, 499 Church Street
DECEMBER 3, 2019 in TORONTO: Author Talks & Lectures presents “Crime Writers of Canada” with panelists Lorna Poplak, Sharon Crawford, and Jim McDonald, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Barbara From Library, 20 Covington Road (near Lawrence Avenue West and Bathurst Street)
DECEMBER 2, 2019 in TORONTO: Brick, a Literary Journal presents its 104 Winter Issue Launch with readings from contributors Souvankham Thammavongsa and Ken Babstock, a celebration of translation, and more, 7:30 to 11 p.m. at the Melody Bar at the Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen Street West.
DECEMBER 2, 2019 in POINT EDWARD: Writers Helping Writers (WHW) workshop: Lambton County writers are invited to a weekly workshop for writers, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. each Monday (except holiday Mondays and the summer months of July and August) at Point Edward Library on Michigan Avenue. More details: bobandjane62@gmail.com (NOTE: WORKSHOPS FOR DECEMBER HAVE BEEN CANCELLED. THE GROUP RETURNS ON JANUARY 6, 2020.)
DECEMBER 1, 2019 in HAMILTON: LitLive Literary Readings presents Paige Cooper, Christine Ottoni, Heather Birrell, John Corr, Binhu Suresh, and Degan Davis, 7:30 p.m. at The Staircase, 27 Dundurn Street North. NOTE: There is an admission charge.
DECEMBER 1, 2019 in HAMILTON: Sarnia writer Sharon Berg will read at the LitLive Reading Series, 7 to 9 p,m. , at The Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn Street North. NOTE: Sharon Berg’s appearance at this event has been postponed.
DECEMBER 1, 2019 in TORONTO: Guernica Editions December launch will feature new work by Julie Roorda, Suzanne Chiasson, George Elliott Clarke, Bruce Meyer, Allan Briesmaster, Helene Rioux (translation by Jonathan Kaplansky, Juri Talvet (translation by H. L. His) and Pellegrino D’Acierno, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Supermarket Restaurant and Bar, 268 Augusta Ave. Admission is free.
DECEMBER 1, 2019 in TORONTO: “A Toronto Gathering for Nelson Ball”. This tribute to Canadian poet, bookseller, and publisher Nelson Ball will include presentations by Souvankham Thammavongsa, Barbara’s niece Trisha Little, Catherine Stevenson, Bruce Whitman, Lola Lemire-Tostevin, Victor Coleman, Nelson’s sister Mary Neff, Brian Dedora, Nicholas Power, Jack David, Laurie Siblock, and more. Hosted by Stuart Ross. Fans and friends are invited to gather 2 to 5 p.m. at the Backroom of the Imperial Pub, 54 Dundas Street East.
DECEMBER 1, 2019 in HAMILTON: The launch of Golden Girl: A Child In Wartime England (Potlatch Publications, 2019), a memoir by Valerie Nielsen, 2 to 4 p.m. at the Fellowship Hall at the First Unitarian Church, 170 Dundurn Street South. NOTE: Due to the inclement weather, this launch has been rescheduled to January 26, 2020.
DECEMBER 1, 2019 in WINDSOR: The Windsor International Writers Conference presents the workshop “Secrets of Writing a Page Turner” with workshop leader Brian Henry, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Sho-Art Spirit & Performance Centre, 628 Monmouth Road. NOTE: This is a ticketed event
TO SEE EVENTS FOR PREVIOUS MONTHS, SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM WHERE THERE IS A LIST OF PAGE NUMBERS. CLICK ON THE PAGE NUMBER THAT YOU WANT!
Kites Without Strings 