Where are the poems?
No, that's not actually just a random question. That's the title of two workshops being led by Jonina Kirton and Franci Louann.
The two prize-winning poets are joining forces to offer up the workshops - which focuses on found poems, list poems and erasure poems, for starters - on Oct. 12 and 26.
A press release describes Kirton as "a rapidly emerging 'accidental' poet." Poetry found her in 2006, when she was accepted into the poetry stream at the Simon Fraser University Writer's Studio. This year she won first prize and two honourable mentions in the Royal City Literary Arts Society's Write On contest, and her poetry has also been published in a number of anthologies and literary journals, in print and online.
Louann, meanwhile, has been published since high school and has been studying the craft since. Lipstick Press published her Beach Cardiology in 2010, and she serves as the co-founder and booking manager for Poetic Justice.
Both workshops run 10 a.m. till noon in the common room at 700 Park Cres. The cost is on a sliding scale from $10 to $15, including refreshments.
To register, contact [email protected] or [email protected].
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And speaking of poetry - don't forget about the ongoing Poetic Justice reading series in New Westminster.
Poetic Justice events happen on Sunday afternoons from 3 to 5 p.m. in the backroom at the Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia St.
The series is closed for Thanksgiving weekend on Oct. 13, but it returns on Oct. 20 with an afternoon featuring Franci Louann, Darrel Shee and Janene White. It's hosted by Eva Waldauf.
It also includes an open mike event.
On Oct. 27, Deborah Kelly and Janet Kvammen will host a special Halloween edition of Poetic Justice - Poets Wanted: Dead or Alive!
An extended open mike will give everyone a chance to share their own dark, eerie, spooky, mysterious poetry or work by the "dead poet" of your choice.
There will even be a costume contest with prizes.
See www.poeticjustice.ca to stay on top of all the fun.
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Film lovers will want to mark Oct. 23 to 25 on their calendars.
That's when the third New West Doc Fest is taking place at the Landmark Cinemas at New Westminster SkyTrain station.
Here are some highlights from the lineup, from the festival's website:
* Wednesday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m.: The Legend of Sarila is an animated film telling the story of an encampment of Inuit nomads threatened by famine, and the clan's Wise Woman who recalls the legend of Sarila, a promised land hidden among the glaciers, where wild game is said to be plentiful.
* Wednesday, Oct. 23, 9 p.m.: Blackfish tells the story of Tillikum, a performing killer whale that killed several people while in captivity.
* Thursday, Oct. 24, 7 p.m.: GMO OMG explores the corporate takeover and potential loss of seeds, and how the assisted genetic alteration of food affects our children and our planet.
* Thursday, Oct. 24, 9 p.m.: 20 Feet From Stardom shines a spotlight on the untold true story of the backup singers behind some of the greatest musical legends of the 21st century.
* Friday, Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m.: Bidder 70 centres on "an extraordinary, ingenious and effective act of civil disobedience demanding government and industry accountability" - following the story of University of Utah economics student Tim DeChristopher and his act of civil disobedience.
Indiviudal tickets are $7 regular, or $5 senior/ student, or you can buy a festival pass for $20. The festival also requires a $1 membership.
New West Doc Fest is organized by New Westminster Environmental Partners and the Green Ideas Network.
See www.newwestdocfest.ca for all the details.
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Here's slightly early notice for all you Christmas shoppers.
The Royal City Gogos are presenting a craft fair, Artisan Crafts for Africa, on Friday, Nov. 1 and Saturday, Nov. 2.
It runs from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, at the CAW union hall at 326 12th St.
A release about the show notes it will have "boutique items for everyone on your list" - gifts for family and friends, hostess gifts, gifts for pets and gifts for little ones.
All proceeds go to the Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
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Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.