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DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260418T153000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260418T170000
DTSTAMP:20260430T083558
CREATED:20260417T230134Z
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UID:51545-1776526200-1776531600@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:Book Signing with Garth Mullins
DESCRIPTION:Please join us for a book signing with Garth Mullins; author of “Crackdown: Surviving and Resisting the War on Drugs”. This will be in collaboration with the Name the Crisis community art show\, which will be running from April 7-26th. Prior to the signing\, you can attend Garth’s reading and Q&A event at the Victoria Art Council Bay Centre Gallery at 1150 Douglas Street from 2-3:30pm! \n“Crackdown” is an intimate portrait of Garth’s relationship with opioids\, and a searing indictment of a broken system that is failing drug users and non-users alike. With street drugs getting more toxic by the day\, drug users and their families\, friends and communities are left to pay the price. This book asks us to radically reimagine our approach to drug use\, and to envisage a system that helps rather than harms. \nWhat: Book Signing with Garth Mullins \nWhen: Saturday\, April 18th from 3:30-5:00pm \nWhere: Munro’s Books – 1108 Government St \nHow: This event is free to attend
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/book-signing-with-garth-mullins/
LOCATION:Munro’s Books\, 1108 Government Street\, Victoria\, BC\, V8W 1Y2\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Book Signing,Day of Awareness
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GarthMullinsCrackdownREVISED.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Munro's Books":MAILTO:events@munrobooks.com
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260421
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260423
DTSTAMP:20260430T083558
CREATED:20260225T222247Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260413T182654Z
UID:49246-1776736800-1776823199@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:BC Book Day
DESCRIPTION:WHEN: Tuesday\, April 21\, 2026 \nWHAT: BC Book Day invites British Columbians to celebrate the province’s book & magazine publishers\, authors\, illustrators\, bookstores\, libraries\, festivals\, and literary prizes that connect us with local stories. \nGOAL: To raise awareness among government and the public of BC’s publishing ecosystem and its cultural and economic contributions. \nWHO: BC Book Day is coordinated by Books BC\, which works to support the long-term health and success of the Canadian-owned book industry in British Columbia. \nHow can you support BC Book Day and BC’s Independent Publishers? \n\nBuy BC-published books directly from your local independent bookstore or the publisher’s website (list of BC publishers here).\nEncourage your school and public library to buy and stock both BC and Canadian-published books (find our Books for Schools database here)\nCelebrate Canadian Independent Bookstore Day on April 25 (learn about the day and how to participate here).
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/bc-book-day-3/
LOCATION:BC
CATEGORIES:Day of Awareness,Day of Celebration
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260421T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260421T200000
DTSTAMP:20260430T083558
CREATED:20260316T180429Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T180429Z
UID:49569-1776794400-1776801600@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:Stage Your Own Play with Cee Peal - Part Two
DESCRIPTION:Gain a comprehensive understanding of the playwriting process from initial concept to production and finally opening night in this three-part series program. Learn about the concepts of Scene and Monologue Writing\, Text Analysis\, Staging\, Performance\, Production and more.  \nUse this time to explore the early stages of theatre development and experiment with others in a collaborative and unique process. \n— \nCee Peal is a theatre artist from the Nisga’a First Nation of Northern B.C. now working in Vancouver on the traditional\, unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam)\, səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-waututh)\, and sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) peoples. He brings to the library his experience in storytelling\, theatre\, and image making\, drawing from his experience working as an actor\, director\, writer\, dancer\, and producer on various productions. With a passion for Indigenous studies and cultural evolution\, Cee is also the Indigenous outreach coordinator at The Cultch and the artistic associate at The Carmen Arts Group. \nTo find out more about Cee’s residency and keep up with his upcoming events visit: vpl.ca/storyteller
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/stage-your-own-play-with-cee-peal-part-two/
LOCATION:VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY – CENTRAL LIBRARY
CATEGORIES:Reading,Workshop
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ORGANIZER;CN="Vancouver Public Library":MAILTO:candie.tanaka@vpl.ca
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260424T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260424T210000
DTSTAMP:20260430T083558
CREATED:20260407T213556Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260407T213556Z
UID:51076-1777057200-1777064400@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:Off the Shelf Poetry Reading Series with Cornel Bogle\, Lisa Richter\, Salena Wiener
DESCRIPTION:Please join SFU English and Poetry in Canada for a poetry reading featuring Professor Cornel Bogle\, Lisa Richter\, and Salena Wiener. \nDetails: \nDate/Time: Friday\, April 24th (Doors 6:30 PM; Event: 7-9 PM) \nLocation: SFU Belzberg Library at Harbour Centre campus \nThis is a free event\, no RSVP required. \nBios \nCornel Bogle engages Caribbean archives and diasporic memory through erasure\, found\, and lyric poetry. Their work has been published in literary platforms such as “brick”\, “Arc Poetry Magazine”\, and “Pree: Caribbean Writing”\, and has been presented in readings across Canada and the Caribbean. \nAt SFU\, they teach in areas such as Black and Caribbean literatures\, decolonial literary studies\, diaspora\, transnationalism\, and creative writing\, guiding students to explore how storytelling travels across borders\, histories\, and communities. Originally from Kingston\, Jamaica\, they earned their BA at the University of the West Indies\, and both their MA and PhD at the University of Alberta\, joining SFU in 2023. \nLisa Richter is a Toronto-based poet\, writer\, and educator. She is the author of two books of poetry\, “Closer to Where We Began” and “Nautilus and Bone”\, winner of the Canadian Jewish Literary Award\, the National Jewish Book Award (U.S.)\, and the Robert Kroetsch Award. Her work has been longlisted for the CBC Poetry Prize\, a National Magazine Award finalist\, and appeared in “Best Canadian Poetry”\, “The Fiddlehead”\, “The Malahat Review”\, and “The New Quarterly”\, among other places. She holds an MFA from the University of Guelph and teaches at the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies. Her third book\, “Sublunary”\, is forthcoming with University of Alberta Press in March 2026. \nSalena Wiener is a poet and PhD student in English Literature at Simon Fraser University. Her research interests include British Romantic women’s writing\, print and manuscript culture\, digital humanities\, and ecopoetics. She has worked as a Research Assistant for SpokenWeb and the Women’s Print History Project. Her critical and creative work appears in “Honey & Lime Lit Magazine”\, “Peculiars Magazine”\, “Montreal Review of Books”\, “Digital Studies”\, and elsewhere. She is the author of two poetry chapbooks\, “bodies like gardens” (Cactus Press 2023) and “Cities of Delusions” (Anstruther Press 2026). \nVenue Accessibility \nThis in-person event takes place at the SFU’s Harbour Centre campus. It is easily accessible by transit and near SkyTrain. The campus is wheelchair accessible and has wheelchair accessible washrooms. Gender neutral washrooms are also available.
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/off-the-shelf-poetry-reading-series-with-cornel-bogle-lisa-richter-salena-wiener/
LOCATION:SFU Harbour Centre\, 515 West Hastings Street\, Vancouver\, BC\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Author Discussion,Reading
ORGANIZER;CN="SFU English":MAILTO:englcmns@sfu.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260425
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260427
DTSTAMP:20260430T083558
CREATED:20260219T005722Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260219T005914Z
UID:48893-1777082400-1777168799@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:Canadian Independent Bookstore Day (CIBD)
DESCRIPTION:Save the date!  \nApril 25\, 2026 is this years celebration of Canadian Independent Booksellers. \nIndie booksellers work hard to serve their customers and communities. CIBD is our opportunity to say thank you. \nHere are some ways you can participate in Canadian Independent Bookstore Day: \nBuy books! Purchase books and other items in-person\, online\, or by phone to show your support and to enter our annual contest. \nCheck out bookstore activities. Local shops across Canada are planning celebratory activities for the big day including customer giveaways\, discounts\, exclusive products\, author events\, and more. Visit their websites and social channels for details. \nHelp us spread the word. CIBD is an opportunity to raise awareness about everything that indies have to offer. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to share our info about the campaign throughout the month of April.
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/canadian-independent-bookstore-day-cibd/
LOCATION:BC
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260425T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260425T180000
DTSTAMP:20260430T083558
CREATED:20260417T230235Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T230235Z
UID:51550-1777109400-1777140000@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:Canadian Independent Bookstore Day at Munro's Books!
DESCRIPTION:Come celebrate Canadian Independent Bookstore Day at Munro’s Books on Saturday\, April 25th! The party will include a contest to win $1000 to spend at the indie bookstore of your choice\, exclusive bookstore swag with each purchase (while supplies last)\, two author signings\, double rewards points on purchases (in-store and online)\, blind date with a book\, a draw for a Munro’s Prize pack\, photo booth\, bookmark colouring station\, and more! \nThis will mark the annual day when readers\, writers\, illustrators\, publishers\, and others come together to celebrate indie bookstores across Canada. By joining the celebration\, you are advocating for independent businesses\, supporting a flourishing book selling community\, and investing in Canadian culture. \nThe book signings will include authors April Howells from 11:00am-1:00pm \, and Phoebe Wang from 1:00pm-3:00pm. \nWe hope you can come party with us! \nWhat: Canadian Independent Bookstore Day Celebration \nWhen: Saturday\, April 25th during opening hours (9:30am-6:00pm) \nWhere: Munro’s Books – 1108 Government St \nHow: This event is free to attend
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/canadian-independent-bookstore-day-at-munros-books-2/
LOCATION:Munro’s Books\, 1108 Government Street\, Victoria\, BC\, V8W 1Y2\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Book Signing,Day of Celebration
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CIBD26_Final-Artwork_Square.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Munro's Books":MAILTO:events@munrobooks.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260428T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260428T143000
DTSTAMP:20260430T083558
CREATED:20260325T202221Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T202221Z
UID:50419-1777383000-1777386600@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:Canadian Children's Book Week Author Visit: Marsha Skrypuch
DESCRIPTION:In celebration of Canadian Children’s Book Week\, children’s author Marsha Skrypuch will present on her book trilogy Kidnapped from Ukraine. \nMarsha Skrypuch is an internationally bestselling children’s author whose books span a century of wars from a kid’s view\, concentrating on those stories that have been erased by oppressive regimes. Her best-known book is Making Bombs for Hitler. Her most recent is the Kidnapped from Ukraine trilogy. She has received death threats and honours for her writing. Marsha lives in Brantford\, Ontario\, and you can visit her online at calla.com \nMarsha talks about the war\, the books\, how she did her research\, and the challenges she encountered. She also talks about what happens when you’re banned for life by Russia (she is the only children’s author in North America thus targeted). \nTeachers of grades 4-6 may register their group to attend. Maximum of 3 classes. Please include the number of students attending. \nInterested members of the public may also register to attend. \nBest for children grades 4-6
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/canadian-childrens-book-week-author-visit-marsha-skrypuch/
LOCATION:North Vancouver Public Library – Lynn Valley branch\, 1277 Lynn Valley Road\, North Vancouver\, BC\, V7J 0A2\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Author Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Marsha-Skrypuch.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="North Vancouver District Public Library":MAILTO:info@nvdpl.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260428T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260428T200000
DTSTAMP:20260430T083558
CREATED:20260316T180430Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T180430Z
UID:49574-1777399200-1777406400@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:Stage Your Own Play with Cee Peal - Part Three
DESCRIPTION:Gain a comprehensive understanding of the playwriting process from initial concept to production and finally opening night in this three-part series program. Learn about the concepts of Scene and Monologue Writing\, Text Analysis\, Staging\, Performance\, Production and more. \nUse this time to explore the early stages of theatre development and experiment with others in a collaborative and unique process. \n— \nCee Peal is a theatre artist from the Nisga’a First Nation of Northern B.C. now working in Vancouver on the traditional\, unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam)\, səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-waututh)\, and sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) peoples. He brings to the library his experience in storytelling\, theatre\, and image making\, drawing from his experience working as an actor\, director\, writer\, dancer\, and producer on various productions. With a passion for Indigenous studies and cultural evolution\, Cee is also the Indigenous outreach coordinator at The Cultch and the artistic associate at The Carmen Arts Group. \nTo find out more about Cee’s residency and keep up with his upcoming events visit: vpl.ca/storyteller
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/stage-your-own-play-with-cee-peal-part-three/
LOCATION:VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY – CENTRAL LIBRARY
CATEGORIES:Meet & Greet,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ISiR_CeePeal_2026_Biblioevents_760x380px_Alt2-2.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Vancouver Public Library":MAILTO:candie.tanaka@vpl.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260429T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260429T193000
DTSTAMP:20260430T083558
CREATED:20260422T230642Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260422T230642Z
UID:52695-1777485600-1777491000@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:In Translation Book Club: Now I Surrender\, by Alvaro Enrigue\, translated by Natasha Wimmer.
DESCRIPTION:Welcome to Upstart & Crow’s In Translation Book Club\, a celebration of global literature and storytelling across languages and borders! This free\, bi-monthly event in our studio space introduces readers to powerful voices writing in languages other than English\, amplifying fresh perspectives\, underheard narratives and bold ideas. \nOn Wednesday\, April 29 at 6:00pm\, we’ll be discussing Now I Surrender\, by Álvaro Enrigue\, translated by Natasha Wimmer. \nIn 1886\, famed Apache leader Geronimo surrendered to the U.S. army after decades of resistance across the borderlands of Mexico and the United States. Álvaro Enrigue’s newly translated novel takes its title from his words: “Once I moved about like the wind. Now I surrender to you and that is all.” \nBeginning with the kidnapping of a Mexican woman\, the novel follows the ragtag expedition sent to retrieve her — a soldier\, a sharpshooting woman known as “the Nun\,” and two devilishly charismatic Yaqui twins. Part anti-imperialist epic and part alt-western\, Now I Surrendertakes apart and reassembles the mythology of the “American” borderlands to challenge the stories we think we know about conquest and resistance. The result is a gripping\, genre-bending meditation on freedom\, myth\, and the contested histories of the desert frontier. Named a most anticipated book of 2026 by The New York Times\, The Washington Post and LitHub. \nBring yourself and an open mind to discuss the book! You do not need to have purchased the book from us to attend\, but we’ll be offering a 10% discount on the title if you do. You can do so by selecting between two ticket options here. \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/in-translation-book-club-now-i-surrender-by-alvaro-enrigue-translated-by-natasha-wimmer/
LOCATION:Upstart & Crow\, 1387 Railspur Alley Vancouver\, BC V6H 3R7\, Vancouver\, BC\, V6H 3R7\, Canada
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/EVENTBRITE-BANNER-17-1-1180x590-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Upstart &amp%3B Crow":MAILTO:hello@upstartandcrow.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260430T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260430T193000
DTSTAMP:20260430T083558
CREATED:20260219T004437Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260219T004437Z
UID:48886-1777573800-1777577400@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:The Art of the Book: Scott McIntyre
DESCRIPTION:At this upcoming Alcuin event\, legendary publisher Scott McIntyre will offer a deeply personal retrospective on his nearly 50-year career at the forefront of the Canadian literary landscape. As the force behind Douglas & McIntyre\, McIntyre will trace the evolution of one of the country’s premier independent houses\, sharing behind-the-scenes anecdotes involving industry icons and celebrated authors. More than just a history lesson\, the talk serves as a passionate defense of the physicality of books—emphasizing why craftsmanship in paper\, binding\, and design remains a vital tribute to the written word even in an increasingly digital age. \nFor Scott\, the physicality of books remained fundamental. Echoing the imperatives of Knopf; paper\, binding\, and type design had to honour the words. That resulted in winning more Alcuin awards than any other single house\, national or multinational\, while building the largest art book program in Canada\, and establishing an international reputation for high quality books. Even the D&M logo\, the Burghead Bull\, declared intent\, based upon a carved image from a 9th century Pictish fort overlooking Moray Forth: defiant; Scottish; echoing the traditions of old-line publishing houses. \nAnecdotes about the evolution of Canadian publishing will focus on important D&M projects: The Art of Emily Carr\, History in Their Blood\,  Doug Coupland’s Souvenir of Canada\, and A Story as Sharp as A Knife\, amongst many others.  \nThis will be his personal take on the world that he chose to embrace and why the old standards still matter\, even in a digital world. \n— \nScott McIntyre\, CM\, OBC\, LLD (Hon)\, BA\, is best known as the co-founder and the retired Publisher and CEO of the pre-eminent\, Vancouver headquartered\, Canadian publishing house Douglas & McIntyre. His company published over 2000 Canadian books from its founding in 1971 to his retirement in 2013. He also spent over 40 years engaged in industry/government relations.  \nScott remains an active member of Canada’s cultural community. His recent Boards have included PEN Canada\, the BC Achievement Foundation and\, at UBC\, Green College\, the Global Reporting Centre\, the Museum of Anthropology\, and the Vancouver Institute. He delivered the 2019-2020 Clyne Lectures at Green College. His memoir\, A Precarious Enterprise: Making a Life in Canadian Publishing\, was published by ECW of Toronto on September 9\, 2025. Scott is a graduate of UBC\, and holds an honorary Doctor of Laws from SFU. He is a member of both the Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia. His significant contributions to Canadian publishing have been further recognized by the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and Diamond Jubilee medals.
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/the-art-of-the-book-scott-mcintyre/
LOCATION:VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY – CENTRAL LIBRARY
CATEGORIES:Book Signing,Reading
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ScottMcIntyre.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Vancouver Public Library":MAILTO:candie.tanaka@vpl.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260501T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260501T203000
DTSTAMP:20260430T083558
CREATED:20260422T232527Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260422T232527Z
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
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260502T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260502T203000
DTSTAMP:20260430T083558
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
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/New-Leaf-Event-Banner-1180x590-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Upstart &amp%3B Crow":MAILTO:hello@upstartandcrow.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260505T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260505T200000
DTSTAMP:20260430T083558
CREATED:20260316T183412Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T183412Z
UID:49671-1778004000-1778011200@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:Pretendianism
DESCRIPTION:Esteemed novelist Joseph Boyden\, acclaimed film director Michelle Latimer and former University of Saskatchewan professor Carrie Bourassa have all made front-page news in recent years for the same reason: each is alleged to have been a “pretendian.” \nThe term “pretendian” has come to refer to someone who claims distant Indigenous heritage that doesn’t stand up to deeper scrutiny. But why would someone fake an Indigenous identity? \nThat question is the premise of The Pretendians (2022)\, a documentary from The Passionate Eye and the latest film featuring Anishinaabe author and playwright Drew Hayden Taylor. The documentary follows his cross-Canada journey\, revealing what really lies behind this explosive issue. \nRating: PG / Runtime: 44 mins\nPresented in partnership with CBC Gem.\n— \nAfter the film\, join Cee Peal\, the 2026 VPL Storyteller in Residence for a discussion around Pretendianism and the harm and division that it creates in Indigenous communities. \n— \nCee Peal is a theatre artist from the Nisga’a First Nation of Northern B.C. now working in Vancouver on the traditional\, unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam)\, səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-waututh)\, and sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) peoples. He brings to the library his experience in storytelling\, theatre\, and image making\, drawing from his experience working as an actor\, director\, writer\, dancer\, and producer on various productions. With a passion for Indigenous studies and cultural evolution\, Cee is also the Indigenous outreach coordinator at The Cultch and the artistic associate at The Carmen Arts Group. \nTo find out more about Cee’s residency and keep up with his upcoming events visit: vpl.ca/storyteller
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/pretendianism/
LOCATION:VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY – CENTRAL LIBRARY
CATEGORIES:Author Discussion,Panel
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ThePretendians.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Vancouver Public Library":MAILTO:candie.tanaka@vpl.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260516T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260516T153000
DTSTAMP:20260430T083558
CREATED:20260325T202129Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T202129Z
UID:50647-1778931000-1778945400@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:Book Signing: The Heart of Japan
DESCRIPTION:Meet New Westminster author Lesley Hebert at an author book signing for her unique travel memoir The Heart of Japan.
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/book-signing-the-heart-of-japan-2/
LOCATION:BC
CATEGORIES:Book Signing
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260519T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260519T200000
DTSTAMP:20260430T083558
CREATED:20260316T180601Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T180601Z
UID:50131-1779215400-1779220800@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:The Flash of Fireflies: Writing the Short Story
DESCRIPTION:Celebrate short story month with four talented fiction writers\, Alix Ohlin\, Andrea Routley\, Jacquelyn Zong-Li Ross\, and Shashi Bhat\, in conversation with local author Jen Currin about the art and craft of this wily and often misunderstood genre. \nAlix Ohlin’s most recent book\, the story collection We Want What We Want\, won a Lambda Literary Award. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker\, Best American Short Stories\, and many other places. She teaches creative writing at UBC. \nAndrea Routley is the author of the short-fiction collections This Unlikely Soil and Jane and the Whales\, and was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for Debut Fiction and the Malahat Review Novella Prize. She has taught creative writing in both institutional\, community\, and one-on-one settings\, with a focus on writing as an orientation to the world\, one that cultivates curiosity and compassion. She is the editor of Walk Myself Home: An Anthology to End Violence Against Women\, and was the founding editor of Plenitude\, Canada’s queer literary magazine. \nJacquelyn Zong-Li Ross is a writer and editor based in Vancouver\, the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam)\, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish)\, and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Guelph\, and her fiction\, poetry\, essays\, and art criticism have appeared in BOMB\, C Mag\, The Ex-Puritan\, Fence\, Mousse\, and elsewhere. The Longest Way to Eat a Melon\, her debut collection of short fictions\, was published by Sarabande Books in 2025. \nShashi Bhat is the author of the story collection Death by a Thousand Cuts (McClelland & Stewart)\, and the novels The Most Precious Substance on Earth (M&S\, Grand Central)\, and The Family Took Shape (Cormorant). Her fiction received the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize\, the Writers’ Trust/McClelland & Stewart Journey Prize and a silver National Magazine Award. She has been a finalist for the Governor General’s Award for fiction\, the Danuta Gleed Award\, the RBC Bronwen Wallace Award\, and other prizes\, and was longlisted for the Giller Prize. Shashi’s work has appeared in publications across North America\, including Hazlitt\, The Fiddlehead\, The Malahat Review\, Best Canadian Stories\, and The Journey Prize Stories. She is the editor-in-chief of EVENT and teaches creative writing at Douglas College. \nJen Currin has published two collections of stories\, Hider/Seeker (Anvil\, 2018) and Disembark (House of Anansi\, 2024)\, and five collections of poetry\, most recently Trinity Street (Houseof Anansi\, 2023). Currin lives on the ancestral and unceded territories of the Halkomelem-speaking peoples\, including the Qayqayt\, Musqueam\, Kwikwetlem\, and Kwantlen Nations\, in New Westminster\, BC. They teach creative writing and English upgrading at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/the-flash-of-fireflies-writing-the-short-story/
LOCATION:VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY – CENTRAL LIBRARY
CATEGORIES:Book Signing,Meet & Greet,Panel
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/shortstory.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Vancouver Public Library":MAILTO:candie.tanaka@vpl.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260529T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260529T150000
DTSTAMP:20260430T083558
CREATED:20260316T180615Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T180615Z
UID:49535-1780059600-1780066800@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:Book launch: The Art of Looking Back by Theresa Kishkan
DESCRIPTION:Join Theresa Kishkan for the release of her memoir\, The Art of Looking Back: A Painter\, an Obsession\, and Reclaiming the Gaze. \nTheresa examines her youth and her role as muse to Victoria artist Jack Wilkinson. More than a reminiscence\, 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/book-launch-the-art-of-looking-back-by-theresa-kishkan/
LOCATION:Sechelt Public Library\, 5797 Cowrie St\, Sechelt\, BC\, V0N 3A0\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Book Signing,Launch,Meet & Greet
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/TAP-The-Art-of-Looking-Back-Book-1080x1080-CC-20251126_blue.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Sechelt Public Library":MAILTO:programs@secheltlibrary.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260531T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260531T160000
DTSTAMP:20260430T083558
CREATED:20260325T201910Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T201910Z
UID:50654-1780228800-1780243200@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:Book Signing: The Heart of Japan
DESCRIPTION:Meet Lower Mainland author Lesley Hebert\, who will be signing copies of her unique travel memoir The Heart of Japan
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/book-signing-the-heart-of-japan/
LOCATION:Indigo Robson\, 1033 Robson Street\, Vancouver\, BC\, V6E 1A9\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Book Signing
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/FrontCover.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Indigo Robson":MAILTO:st0975s@indigo.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260603T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260603T200000
DTSTAMP:20260430T083558
CREATED:20260325T201817Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T201841Z
UID:50663-1780509600-1780516800@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:The Heart of Japan: Author reading
DESCRIPTION:Meet New Westminster Lesley Hebert\, who will be reading from her unique travel memoir The Heart of Japan
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/the-heart-of-japan-author-reading/
LOCATION:New Westminster Public Library\, 716 6th Avenue\, New Westminster\, BC\, V3M 2B3\, Canada
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/FrontCover-1.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Royal City Literary Arts Society":MAILTO:janetkvammen@rclas.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260603T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260603T210000
DTSTAMP:20260430T083558
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
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Munro-Book-events-02-02.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Munro's Books":MAILTO:events@munrobooks.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260606T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260606T180000
DTSTAMP:20260430T083558
CREATED:20260325T180757Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T180757Z
UID:50720-1780740000-1780768800@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:First Annual BC Author Market
DESCRIPTION:A gathering of BC local authors\, for mingling\, connecting\, and selling their books to the public. This event is intended to build the local author community and to encourage BC residents to support local authors.
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/first-annual-bc-author-market/
LOCATION:Chilliwack Heritage Park\, 44140 Luckakuck Way\, Chilliwack\, British Columbia\, V2R 4A7\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Book Signing,Meet & Greet
ORGANIZER;CN="BC Author Society":MAILTO:info@bcauthorsociety.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260612T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260612T183000
DTSTAMP:20260430T083558
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
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/9781997702061_fc.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Upstart &amp%3B Crow":MAILTO:hello@upstartandcrow.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260613T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260613T150000
DTSTAMP:20260430T083558
CREATED:20260417T225950Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T225950Z
UID:51737-1781352000-1781362800@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:Debunking the World We Live In: Unpacking the Matrix and System: Book Signing
DESCRIPTION:Meet Raminder Hayre for a book signing of Debunking the World We Live In: Unpacking the Matrix and System. \nThis book explores the idea of adjusting your expectations of the 3D world\, offering insight into how energy works and influences our everyday lives. It examines the systems that surround us and questions why we are conditioned to become codependent on the people\, places\, and things in our lives. \nThrough this perspective\, readers are invited to reflect on the changes they can make to better understand the human condition and move toward a more fulfilling life.
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/debunking-the-world-we-live-in-unpacking-the-matrix-and-system-book-signing/
LOCATION:Indigo Grandview Corners\, #10 - 2453 161a Street\, Surrey\, BC\, V3S 0M6\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Book Signing
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/3.jpeg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR