The Writers' Collective

All events take place at Aqua Books, 274 Garry Street, Winnipeg.

 

The author of fifteen books, and one of Canada’s most respected poets, essayists and editors, Anne Szumigalski was the recipient of many literary awards and prizes and left behind a rich literary legacy. Her passing in April 1999 was mourned by all those she had touched.

 

Tuesday, March 6, 7 pm. FREE

Marathon reading of Anne Szumigalski’s Risks

Featuring 32 of Winnipeg’s established and emerging poets, some surprise out-of-town guests and an introduction from Montreal writer Mark Abley, Anne’s literary executor.

 

Tuesday, March 6, 8 pm. FREE

Launch of A Woman Clothed in Words (Coteau Books, 2012)

Featuring Mark Abley, Elizabeth Philips and Anne Simpson

Light refreshments will follow the launch.

 

Wednesday, March 7, 7 pm. $5

Anne and Me: Mark Abley, Mari-Lou Rowley and Anne Simpson

Featuring the Jeffrey King Trio

An evening of poetry, music and dance.

 

Thursday, March 8, 7 pm. FREE

Mark Abley: Anne Szumigalski Memorial Lecture “The Angel of the Big Muddy”

Followed by a panel discussion on Szumigalski’s work with Mark Abley, Mari-Lou Rowley and Catherine Hunter.

 

Friday, March 9, 7 pm. FREE

Movie Night with hosts Katherine Bitney and Frances Bitney

Featuring Glen Sorestad

Katherine and Frances (Anne’s daughter and granddaughter, respectively) will be joined by Glen Sorestad, Saskatoon poet and colleague of Anne’s, for reminiscences on the Saskatoon writing and publishing community and Anne’s place within it.

• One-hour documentary: Rapture Of The Deep, Canadian Poet, Anne Szumigalski

by Donna Caruso/Incandescent Films, 2000

• PLUS: The book trailer for A Peeled Wand: Selected Poems of Anne Szumigalski (Signature Editions, 2011), which features recordings of Anne reading her poems.

 

Saturday, March 10, 11 am – 4 pm. $40

YA Workshop: Finish “The Water Granny”

Anne Szumigalski left unfinished: a book of juvenile fiction called “The Water Granny.”

Offered in partnership with the Manitoba Editors’ Association, this workshop will focus on the dos and don’ts of substantive editing, with a particular focus on juvenile and young-adult fiction. Award-winning YA writer and editor Anita Daher will facilitate.

 

Saturday, March 10, 7 pm. $5

Readers’ Theatre Production of Z: A Meditation on Oppression, Desire, and Freedom

Featuring nearly a dozen of Winnipeg’s established and emerging actors.

Z (Coteau Books, 1995) explores the relationship between captive and captor and the sacrifices human beings must make to survive. When the concentration camps were opened at the end of World War II, Anne Szumigalski worked with the survivors as a translator for the British Red Cross. “It made me look at life in a completely different way,” she said.

 

Lindsey Childs