Alden Nowlan Festival Underway

The Writers' Federation of New Brunswick's (WFNB) annual Alden Nowlan Literary Festival got underway in Fredericton last Thursday with a workshop for writers with renowned children's author, Kit Pearson, and readings by critically acclaimed authors Ann-Marie MacDonald and Beth Powning.

The Alden Nowlan Literary Festival, a tribute to M. Travis Lane, officially kicks off Thursday, September 23^rd, with Lieutenant Governor Herménégilde Chiasson at the Opening Ceremony happening at Old Government House.

Liliane Welch, The Raging Grannies and Jeanette Lynes will give tributes to M. Travis Lane throughout the evening. This event begins a full two weekends of interesting literary activities happening throughout the city.

One highlight of the festival is a screening of the 45-minute film, Alden Nowlan: The Mysterious Naked Man, which features extensive footage of Nowlan talking about his life, work, and reading several poems.

Produced and directed by Brian Guns who will attend the screening, the film also features commentary and readings by Robert Bly, Allen Ginsberg, Alistair MacLeod, David Adams Richards, Mordecai Richler and Anne Greer.

Alden Nowlan: The Mysterious Naked Man will be shown on Friday, September 24^th, beginning at 7 p.m. on the St. Thomas University campus in the Ted Daigle Auditorium, Edmund Casey Hall.

Alan Cumyn, Liliane Welch, Shirley Bear, John Smith, and Kathleen Forsythe will follow the screening with readings beginning at 8 p.m.

A full schedule of events is planned for Saturday, September 25^th. The day begins with a writing workshop led by award winning author, Alan Cumyn. Exploring the key differences between writing for children and adults, the workshop will take place at McCord Hall (the Ice House) on the UNB campus beginning at 10 a.m.

Meanwhile on the STU campus at 10 a.m., Greg Cook, Shane Neilson, and Allan Cooper will host a panel discussion on the Influence of Alden Nowlan at the Ted Daigle Auditorium in Edmund Casey Hall.

Also beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Glenn Murray, author of Walter the Farting Dog, will read at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. A free art workshop for children will follow.

Following the morning activities, literary enthusiasts are invited to join Kelly Cooper, Elizabeth Blanchard, Greg Cook, Marilyn Lerch, and Allan Cooper for Noon Hour Books & Brunch at the James Joyce Irish Pub in the Lord Beaverbrook Hotel.

Jeanette Lynes, Robert Gibbs, Lynn Davies, and Hannah Lane will examine the Life and Work of M. Travis Lane in a panel discussion beginning at 2:30 p.m. in the Ted Daigle Auditorium, Edmund Casey Hall, St. Thomas University.

Also happening in the Ted Daigle Auditorium, Travis Lane will read along with Jeanette Lynes, Geoffrey Cook, Jean Dohaney, and Robert Moore beginning at 8 p.m.

The following weekend, October 2^nd and 3^rd, sees a series of readings and book launchings taking place at UNB's Memorial Hall. Student readings will begin at 10 a.m. daily.

On Saturday, October 2^nd, beginning at 2 p.m. Donna Kane, Jeramy Dodds, Al Moritz, Tammy Armstrong, Triny Finlay, and Matt Tierney will read.

Later that evening beginning at 8 p.m. Erin Mouré, Al Moritz, and Susan Glickman will read followed by book launches featuring Sue Sinclair, Matt Tierney, Charmaine Cadeau, and Steve McOrmond.

Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. John Lofranco, Susan Glickman, Barry Dempster, Mark Callanan, Shane Rhodes, and Charmaine Cadeau will give readings.

At 8 p.m. Anne Compton and Barry Dempster will read followed by the Breathing Fire 2 book launch featuring Tammy Armstrong, Mark Callanan, Triny Finlay, Steve McOrmond, Shane Rhodes, matt robinson, and Sue Sinclair.

The Alden Nowlan Literary Festival is an annual Writers' Federation of New Brunswick event and runs three weeks from September 16th until October 3rd. To obtain a full schedule of workshops and events telephone (506) 459-7228, email wfnb@nb.aibn.com or for the most up to date schedule visit the WFNB website.