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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Read Local BC
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260501T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260501T203000
DTSTAMP:20260422T232527Z
CREATED:20260422T232527Z
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UID:52703-1777662000-1777667400@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:Talonbooks Spring 2026 Launch
DESCRIPTION:Join us at the Martha Lou Henley Rehearsal Hall for the launch of the Talonbooks spring 2026 titles! Come help us celebrate this season’s authors and books. Here’s the lineup! It’s going to be an amazing evening. \nTaryn Hubbard will read from Beautiful Unknown Future\nJenn Ashton (attending digitally) will read from Growing My Way Home\nGeorge Bowering (attending digitally) will read from Pearl\nJónína Kirton will read from Save Your Prayers – Send Money\nElee Kraljii Gardiner will read from sometimes\, forest\nNicole Raziya Fong will read from SUBTEXT and\nDanielle LaFrance will read from Verbal Violence! \nThe launch will be hosted by the author of Future Works\, Jeff Derksen! \nA live stream will be available on the Talonbooks YouTube page. Light snacks and drinks will be provided. Hope to see you there! \nTalonbooks Spring Launch\nMartha Lou Henley Rehearsal Hall\nVancouver\, BC\nMay 1\, 2026\nDoors at 7 p.m.\, readings begin at 7:30 p.m. PDT
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/talonbooks-spring-2026-launch/
LOCATION:Martha Lou Henley Rehearsal Hall\, 1955 McLean Dr\, Vancouver\, BC V5N 3J7\, Vancouver\, BC\, V5N 3J7\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Author Discussion,Launch,Meet & Greet,Panel,Reading
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/4122.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260502T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260502T203000
DTSTAMP:20260422T232021Z
CREATED:20260422T230906Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260422T232021Z
UID:52698-1777748400-1777753800@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:An Evening with Eve Joseph and Patrick Friesen
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a beautiful evening of poetry with local legends Eve Joseph and Patrick Friesen. The duo will be launching their latest collections and invite you to join them in readings and conversation. Tickets are free\, but please RSVP for your spot here as capacity is limited. \nIn Eve Joseph’s latest book\, Dismantling\, the poet is occupied with the idea of poetic imagination and how that often elusive thing can transform the mundane into the mysterious. In a book where fish are classified as bees and rivers are legally people\, things are not always as they seem. As the title suggests\, sometimes the act of taking something apart and building again from scratch allows a poem to find its true form. \n​​The poems in Patrick Friesen’s latest collection\, Sightings\, move between the visible and invisible\, between the contradictions of human history and the immediacy of a complex present. Friesen examines memory and music\, rivers and personalities\, open to all possibilities and sceptical of wisdom. Instead\, these poems rely on the kind of knowledge that comes from experience: tremors and fragments riding on the movement of thinking. The distance from Friesen’s first book\, published 50 years ago\, to this one\, speaks to what it means to have known the world through poetry. \nMore about Upstart & Crow: \nUpstart & Crow is a not-for-profit creative studio and literary incubator that champions writers\, readers and stories\, and the role they play in shaping our lives. We develop original programs\, support artists and revel in creative projects focused on Literature In Translation / Climate Solutions / Poetry / Civic Dialogue / Community & Skills Building … all with the aim of elevating the role of literature and storytelling in our lives. Find us on Granville Island\, Gibsons and online at upstartandcrow.com. \nAccessibility: \nThe main studio of our shop is accessible for folks with mobility aids. There is a washroom on the main floor available for attendees. \nQuestions: hello[at]upstartandcrow.com.
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/an-evening-with-eve-joseph-and-patrick-friesen/
LOCATION:Upstart & Crow\, 1387 Railspur Alley Vancouver\, BC V6H 3R7\, Vancouver\, BC\, V6H 3R7\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Author Discussion,Launch,Reading
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ORGANIZER;CN="Upstart &amp%3B Crow":MAILTO:hello@upstartandcrow.com
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260603T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260603T210000
DTSTAMP:20260316T180126Z
CREATED:20260316T180126Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T180126Z
UID:49543-1780513200-1780520400@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:Author Reading with Theresa Kishkan and Keiko Honda
DESCRIPTION:Join Theresa Kishkan\, author of The Art of Looking Back\, and Keiko Honda\, author of Hidden Flowers\, for a reading and discussion of writing memoir.
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/author-reading-with-theresa-kishkan-and-keiko-honda/
LOCATION:Munro’s Books\, 1108 Government Street\, Victoria\, BC\, V8W 1Y2\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Author Discussion,Meet & Greet,Reading
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ORGANIZER;CN="Munro's Books":MAILTO:events@munrobooks.com
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260612T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260612T183000
DTSTAMP:20260407T214018Z
CREATED:20260407T214018Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260407T214018Z
UID:51418-1781289000-1781289000@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:Author reading: Theresa Kishkan in celebration of The Art of Looking Back
DESCRIPTION:Join Theresa Kishkan for a reading from her new memoir\, The Art of Looking Back. \nAt 23\, Theresa Kishkan met an artist who became obsessed with her. She was young\, she was flattered\, and the situation quickly overwhelmed her. He drew and painted her for a few months\, after which she went away for a year. When she returned\, she was determined not to resume the relationship. \nBut the artist made contact with her after the birth of her first child and became a family friend\, bringing gifts of paintings. Those images hung in Theresa’s home\, and one in particular reminded her almost daily of her younger self\, in ways both positive and not so much. She avoided looking too closely at his images of her and at his long\, passionate and often troubling letters. \nDecades later\, while sorting old correspondence\, she was taken back to those early days and began\, at last\, to write about her relationship with the now-deceased artist. The Art of Looking Back is a meditation on the male gaze\, on reclaiming one’s younger self\, and on agency: how we lose it\, how we find it again. This poetic memoir asks questions about older men and younger women and girls\, and the persistence of that dynamic in art.
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/author-reading-theresa-kishkan-in-celebration-of-the-art-of-looking-back/
LOCATION:Upstart & Crow\, 1387 Railspur Alley Vancouver\, BC V6H 3R7\, Vancouver\, BC\, V6H 3R7\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Author Discussion,Reading
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ORGANIZER;CN="Upstart &amp%3B Crow":MAILTO:hello@upstartandcrow.com
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260628T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260628T160000
DTSTAMP:20260625T185246Z
CREATED:20260625T185246Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260625T185246Z
UID:56534-1782655200-1782662400@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:Poetry & Art Salon
DESCRIPTION:Enjoy an afternoon of poetry readings\, art “Show & Tell”\, chats\, and more! Come listen\, share\, and connect. Presented by Janet Kvammen\, Poet Laureate of New Westminster. In partnership with Royal City Literary Arts Society. \nAdmission Fee: Free\, Drop-in \nFeature Poet Lozan Yamolky\nFeature Artist Tristan Wright
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/poetry-art-salon/
LOCATION:Anvil Centre\, 777 Columbia St.\, New Westminster\, British Columbia\, V3M 1B6\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Author Discussion,Reading
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ORGANIZER;CN="Royal City Literary Arts Society":MAILTO:janetkvammen@rclas.com
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260709T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260709T230000
DTSTAMP:20260625T174954Z
CREATED:20260625T174954Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260625T174954Z
UID:56531-1783627200-1783638000@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:Mashed Poetics 82: Hole's Live Through This
DESCRIPTION:Mercedes Eng\, author of cop city swagger\, Prison Industrial Complex Explodes and more\, is one of the poets performing at Mashed Poetics 82: Hole’s Live Through This. Head to Lana Lou’s for an evening of music and poetry. For more information\, click here. \nMashed Poetics 82: Hole’s Live Through This\nLana Lou’s\nVancouver\, BC\nJuly 9\, 2026\nDoors at 8 p.m.\, show beings at 8:30 p.m. PDT
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/mashed-poetics-82-holes-live-through-this/
LOCATION:Lana Lou’s\, 362 Pow­ell Street \, Vancouver\, BC\, V6A 1G4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Reading
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260716T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260716T200000
DTSTAMP:20260706T221619Z
CREATED:20260706T221619Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260706T221619Z
UID:57005-1784224800-1784232000@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:White Mice Poetry Reading
DESCRIPTION:On Thursday\, July 16\, Renée Sarojini Saklikar\, Indran Amirthanayagam\, and David Radavich and others will read with the winners of the “Home Port” White Mice Poetry Contest hosted by Rod Kessler\, 6–8 pm\, at the Irish Heather Shebeen\, 248 E Georgia St. This reading is sponsored by the International Lawrence Durrell Society as part of the On Miracle Ground XXIII conference (some poetry will be in Greek and French). \nRegistration for the conference is NOT required at attend this event\, but seating is limited.
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/white-mice-poetry-reading/
LOCATION:Irish Heather Shebeen\, 248 E Georgia St.\, Vancouver\, BC\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Reading
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/White-Mice-graphic.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260913T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260913T160000
DTSTAMP:20260824T181614Z
CREATED:20260824T181614Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260824T181614Z
UID:60626-1789304400-1789315200@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:Book Launch: smokin' holy spirits by Nate Nate Nainers
DESCRIPTION:Come celebrate Nate Nate Nainers’ (my) newest (and wildest) poetry book\, smokin’ holy spirits (Galleon Books)!!! \nPurchase Tix Here: \nhttps://www.enablingarts.com/product/smokin-holy-spirits-book-launch/F6DU6CDIHD5HENVPYQ62XC6L \nAbout smokin’ holy spirits: \nA multi-dimensional clown has popped the evangelical bubble she was indoctrinated in. By subverting the art of prophecy with profanity\, transgressions\, and crazy-talk\, this clown takes us on a wild and careening ride through the fall-out of leaving the church in six simple steps to quit smoking. With each step\, she moves closer to a generational redemption arc\, making peace with demons and angels alike. She is Nainers as much as she’s not Nainers\, and when she says she’s Nainers\, she’s not at all. \nProudly working-class (though mildly educated)\, neurodivergent (though heavily medicated)\, gay as fuck (though actually bisexual)\, and a bastion of all things weird and strange (though pretty serious\, ok?); smokin’ holy spirits is Canada’s favourite sacrilegious pastime. \nBlurbs for smokin’ holy spirits: \n“A shootin’ the shit poetics that falls into a free-wheeling polyphonic journey with counter-culture undertones and feel good overtones” – Kevin Spenst \n“Nainers’ book walks a tightrope between the twin peaks of nonsense and deep meaning with a wild bull ride that dares us to hang on for sweet joy with an open heart and good lingerie” – RC Weslowski \nAbout the Author: \nNate Nate Nainers is an award-winning poet\, storyteller\, and performance artist living on the unceded territories of the Kwikwetlem and Sto:Lo First Nations\, (PoCo\, BC). Their first book\, “It’s Gonna Be Sick As Hell!” (Wharfingers Press) came out in 2022. In 2024 they placed 3rd at the Vancouver Story Slam Championship at the Vogue Theatre. In 2025\, they wrote and produced two 40 minute solo shows with music and aspects of clown; “Berry Stained Teeth\,” and “Jerald the Space Bear” which was performed at North Vancouver’s Arts in the Garden. In 2026 they were also a featured artist at Galiano Literary Festival. They have been a board member for SAD Magazine\, as well as a co-producer for Parade of Lost Souls\, and founded the street performance group\, Wizard Walks\, as well as Whoa Whoa Hey Now Cabaret\, and the League of Fuddy Duddies with Silly Hats. \nPurchase Tix Here: \nhttps://www.enablingarts.com/product/smokin-holy-spirits-book-launch/F6DU6CDIHD5HENVPYQ62XC6L
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/book-launch-smokin-holy-spirits-by-nate-nate-nainers/
LOCATION:Enabling Arts\, 104-343 Railway Street\, Vancouver\, British Columbia\, V6A 1A4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Interview,Launch,Reading
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Official-Book-launch.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Enabling Arts":MAILTO:info@enablingarts.com
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20261027T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20261027T200000
DTSTAMP:20260824T181220Z
CREATED:20260824T181220Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260824T181220Z
UID:60787-1793124000-1793131200@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:Speed Friending at the Library for Newcomers
DESCRIPTION:Are you new to Vancouver and finding it tough to make friends? Maybe English is your second language or one of the many languages you speak and you want a comfortable space to chat with new people. We’re here to help! Bring your favourite book\, e-book\, graphic novel\, DVD\, podcast\, blog or zine to discuss at this fun\, casual\, in-person event at Central Library. \nYou’ll have six minutes with each person to chat about the item you brought and see if there is a friendship connection. At the very least you’ll have a bunch of interesting conversations with people who share similar interests. \nThis event is open to all with limited space available and takes place in the Alice MacKay room in the Lower Level of the Central Library.
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/speed-friending-at-the-library-for-newcomers/
LOCATION:VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY – CENTRAL LIBRARY
CATEGORIES:Festival,Reading
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/SpeedFriendingNewcomers.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Vancouver Public Library":MAILTO:candie.tanaka@vpl.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20261103T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20261103T210000
DTSTAMP:20260824T181202Z
CREATED:20260824T181202Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260824T181202Z
UID:61002-1793734200-1793739600@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:Author event: Ryan Cho in conversation with Georgia Sitara
DESCRIPTION:Join Ryan Cho\, author of Brotherhood is a Constant Possibility\, for a reading and conversation with Dr. Georgia Sitara\, professor of History and Gender Studies at the University of Victoria.
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/author-event-ryan-cho-in-conversation-with-georgia-sitara/
CATEGORIES:Author Discussion,Reading
ORGANIZER;CN="Munro's Books":MAILTO:events@munrobooks.com
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