“Northrop Frye is Moncton’s most famous son, and we want to celebrate his amazing legacy with the entire community,” says Dawn Arnold, Chair of the Frye Festival. “Frye wrote a lot about how literature helps us to train our imaginations, develop critical thinking skills and the power of literature to create a tolerant and civil society. In 2012, the Frye Festival will continue to feed imaginations will all our regular Festival fare, but we are also thrilled to add exciting projects to our program, like public art, a 24-hour playwriting competition and much more.”

The Frye Festival is pleased to announce the support of Canadian Heritage, as part its Building Communities through Arts and Heritage program, for Frye’s centennial celebrations. The program is designed specifically to increase opportunities for local artists and artisans to be involved in their community and for local groups to commemorate their local history and heritage.

Bronze sculpture of Northrop Frye
The Frye Festival has commissioned three local artists to create a life-size bronze sculpture of Northrop Frye. The commission was awarded to Darren Byers of Byers Harrison Studios Inc. who will be collaborating with artists Fred Harrison and Janet Fotheringham. The three have partnered to create the artwork, which will feature Northrop Frye sitting on a park bench with a book open on his lap. The sculpture will be installed in front of the Moncton Public Library (Downing St. entrance), and the Festival’s hope is to unveil the sculpture in time for Frye’s birthday in July.

Janet Fotheringham has extensive experience in molding and casting and has been doing life sculpture since 1996. Darren Byers has worked as a furniture maker for over 25 years and as a sculptor for the last 18 years, producing commissions and private work throughout North America and Fred Harrison has worked on many murals throughout Canada. In April 2011 Darren and Fred completed “The Workers Memorial” in Saint John, a larger than life size bronze monument to honour anyone who has suffered physical or mental injuries or who has died while on the job in the greater Saint John area. This will be the first time that all three artists have collaborated.

24-hour playwriting competition
The Frye Festival is inviting amateur and established playwrights to take part in a unique 24-hour competition. From 4 pm on Friday, April 20 to 4 pm on Saturday, April 21, individuals will have the chance to prove their writing skills as they write a one-act play about Northrop Frye and/or his ideas. Participants will be fed, caffeinated and encouraged, and will participate in the official language of their choice in one of two categories: student and other. Four winners (one for each language and each category) will walk away with $500. Plays will be judged by Governor General award-winning playwrights Catherine Banks and Herménégilde Chiasson, along with local celebrity and playwright Marshall Button.

The model for the Festival’s 24-hour playwriting competition is based on an established model by the Saskatchewan Playwrights Centre, which has been organizing their event for 15 years.

Special issues of ellipse magazine
A special issue of ellipse magazine will be published to mark the 100th anniversary of Frye’s birth. Under the direction of Jo-Anne Elder, ellipse is mandated with promoting literary translation and intercultural awareness. The Special Edition will feature new writing by authors from the Maritimes and across Canada, all of which will honour this great thinker. An official launch reception will be held on Saturday, April 28 at 4 pm at Moncton City Hall.

Frye Centennial Talk and Conversation between Frye and McLuhan
Professor Ian Balfour of York University will present an original talk on Northrop Frye, the man and the ideas. However, before his presentation, two local actors will present a short, hilarious conversation between Northrop Frye and his contemporary, Marshall McLuhan.

The Frye Festival is also planning many more events and community projects, which will be unveiled throughout the year.

About Northrop Frye
Northrop Frye was one of Canada’s most prominent and celebrated public thinkers and a pioneer in literary criticism. He wrote extensively about symbols in literature and about structure, and his theories attracted international attention. He was considered one of the greatest scholars and thinkers of the 20th century, hailed as the “modern Aristotle” and the “Einstein of the Humanities” after his death. He is also “one of the top dozen most-cited intellectual writers of all time,” with the likes of Plato and Shakespeare.

Frye was born on July 14, 1912 in Sherbrooke, Québec. He was seven years old when he moved with his family to Moncton, New Brunswick, where he developed many of the ideas that he would go on to explore the rest of his life. In 1929 Frye won a typing contest and left Moncton to study at the University of Toronto, where he remained as student and teacher most of the rest of his life. Over the course of his life he wrote more than 20 books, lectured at more than 100 universities around the world, received 39 honorary degrees, won the Governor General’s Award for Literature, was a Companion of the Order of Canada, had a postage stamp created in his image and in 2010 the Northrop Frye School in Moncton was named in his honour.

About the Frye Festival
The Frye Festival is Atlantic Canada’s largest literary happening and Canada’s only bilingual international literary Festival. The 13th edition of the Festival will take place from April 23 to 29, 2012 in the Greater Moncton area. The complete list of authors will be unveiled February 20, 2012. More information about the Festival and its mission is available at www.frye.ca.

Upcoming Events
Pop & Frye with George Elliott Clarke
Monday, March 19, 2012, Navigator’s Pub, Moncton

Pop & Frye with Herménégilde Chiasson (La vieille femme près de la voie ferrée)
Wednesday, March 29, 2012, Théatre l’Escaouette, Moncton

From left to right: Edith Tribe, director of Volunteer and Auxiliaries Resources, Judi Todd, Regional Manager of Look Good Feel Better for Atlantic Canada, Stephen Brunet, City of Bathurst Mayor, Gisèle Beaulieu, Executive Director of the Chaleur Regional Hospital, Elizabeth Gibbs, Breast Health Float Nurse. Photo courtesy of Vitalité Health Network.

How we perceive the world is much dependent on how we perceive ourselves. If perception of self is jeopardized, so too is the life force – the spirit.

Women diagnosed with cancer are unwilling witnesses to its debilitating affects. The core of self enters a limbo state; a realm of darkness. The change in appearance as a result of chemotherapy and radiation treatment is as devastating as the diagnosis itself. Look Good Feel Better offers light in this dark world.

The Look Good Feel Better program was launched in Canada in 1992. Since then, 112 hospitals nationwide offer free workshops, 18 of which are in Atlantic Canada. An initiative of the Canadian Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CCTFA), Look Good Feel Better is Canada’s only cancer charity devoted to helping women manage the appearance-related side effects of their illness.

Leading member companies and external sponsors of the CCTFA donate products for use at their two hour workshops. Complimentary cosmetic tool kits are used and then given to each participant to take home. Workshops are conducted by trained professionals from the cosmetics and hairdressing industries who follow Signature Steps utilized by the program. These Steps engage participants in mastering simple cosmetic techniques, cosmetic hygiene and hair alternatives. Liking “who she sees” in the mirror helps lift their spirits, gain confidence and regain control of their recovery and their lives. All products are approved by Health Canada and are brand neutral. No services are endorsed.

In July 2011, the Chaleur Regional Hospital in Bathurst, New Brunswick became the newest facility to offer these workshops, a result of a cumulative partnership with Campbellton and Miramichi Regional Hospitals. The Chaleur Regional workshops are held on the third Wednesday of each month; mornings in English and afternoons in French.

Judi Todd is a former nurse. She is also a cancer survivor. As Regional Manager of Atlantic Canada’s Look Good Feel Better program, she brings passion and understanding to the program. “We’re not here to put a participant on the cover of Vogue,” she says. Workshops offer, “A sense of feeling good about oneself and developing a better attitude toward this journey she is on.”

The workshops also provide bonding and support from others who are on the same path. As they sit around a table discovering the Signature Steps, they know they’re not alone. “These women go through so much on many levels,” says Mrs. Todd. “They’re dealing with physical, emotional, social and spiritual issues. Self esteem plummets. After the workshop, they feel better about themselves. They have a different attitude toward treatment, recovery and how they relate to their families.”

She adds, “We used to worry about whether participants had opportunities for this bonding experience outside our workshops. Now, we are excited about a new website sponsored by Shoppers Drug Mart called facingcancer.ca. This website is literally a ‘chat room’ for women living with cancer – a place where they can go at any time to find friendship and support.”

Mrs. Todd appreciates the success of the workshops. She has received substantial feedback from family members of workshop participants. She recalls one letter in particular from a husband. He indicated that the workshop was the turning point in his wife’s recovery. “Those are powerful words,” she says.

Many women with cancer acknowledge that looking good makes them feel better, even when not feeling well. Keeping up appearances increases confidence, the key element in one’s ability to cope with cancer.

Sums up Mrs. Todd, “These women can be very fragile emotionally and physically. They need to be treated compassionately and kindly. They have a lot of confusion in their lives. They need to know that they are in a loving, caring environment for the two hours they attend our workshop.”

To register for a workshop at Chaleur Regional Hospital call 506-544-2531.

Other workshops within New Brunswick can be found at: www.lgfb.ca under “Workshop Locator”.

For additional information call 1-800-914-5665 or www.facingcancer.ca.

Anne Lindert-Wentzell has lived in Atlantic Canada for 22 years, being originally from the big city of Toronto. Rural living appeals to her. She enjoys the freedom of her acreage near the sea. Her husband, two dogs, two cats and the occasional visits from Captain and Tennille – two muskrats that now call her pond home – are pleasant company. She has a son in university. Anne started freelance writing seven years ago and has never regretted her career change. She has numerous articles both in print and online.

This post was submitted by Anne Lindert-Wentzell.

Summer Video Camp
Instructor: E. Hearte
cost: $40
dates: July 11 – 15
times: 9am – 12pm
ages: 10 – 13

This summer, Struts Gallery & Faucet Arts Centre is offering a video camp for youth aged 10 – 13. You will get a chance to learn about video from a professional filmmaker and video artist. You will write your own scripts and storyboards, shoot and edit your own videos, and record and mix your own sound. All on professional video equipment!

Call or email Elli at Struts Gallery & Faucet Media Arts Centre, (506) 536-1211 production@strutsgallery.ca

Little Armadillo Screen Printing
Learn how to silkscreen the Little Armadillo way! Silk-screening is a method of applying text or images to fabric or paper and is a commonly used technique when making your own t-shirts. It is easy and fun and makes great wearable artwork.

LOCATION: The Little Armadillo Printshop
COST: $20/day All ages
DATE: July 11th and 12th 2011
TIME: 1-4pm

Struts Kite Building Workshop
Lets go fly a kite! Knowing how to build your own kite out of recycled materials is very important since we live in one of the windiest locations in the world. Come down to the little Armadillo to learn how to make your own using materials found around the house.

LOCATION: The Little Armadillo Printshop
COST: $10 All ages
DATE: July 13th 2011
TIME: 1-4pm

Ok.Quoi?! Stop Motion Animation Circus
Have you ever wanted to create your own circus? Want to bring your own characters and creatures to life? If so, then sign-up for this summer’s Stop Motion Animation Circus with local artist Graeme Patterson.

LOCATION: The Little Armadillo Printshop
COST: $50 Ages 8-14
DATE: July 18th-22nd 2011
TIME: 1-4pm

Ok.Quoi?!/Sappyfest Kids Power Jam
This summer, Sappyfest and the Ok.Quoi Arts festival are offering an indie rock workshop for students aged 6 to 14. Students will work with professional musicians to make their own instruments, design t-shirts and album artwork, record an album and perform their songs on the Sappyfest mainstage tent on Bridge Street.

LOCATION: The Little Armadillo Printshop
COST: $50 Ages 6-14
DATE: July 25th-29th 2011
TIME: 9-12am

For more information on any of these events please contact Andrew Maize, Festival Programmer, Ok.Quoi?! Arts Festival, festival@strutsgallery.ca

Seven Lorne Street
Struts Gallery & Faucet Media Arts Centre
http://strutsgallery.ca
506-536-1211

Intro to Camera and Processing 10am – 12pm
Learn to shoot 16mm film on a Bolex camera, and hand process 16mm B&W film.
Intro to Film Editing and Sound 1pm – 3pm
Learn film editing techniques, and the basics of Film Sound

$10 Non-Members
$5 Members
$150 one time cost for all the workshops, materials, and access to the equipment needed to make a 16mm film with sound.

Space is limited – Register now

This workshop is part of 16mm Reborn: The Sackville Film Initiative, a series of screenings and workshops followed by access to the materials and equipment designed to empower artists to work with 16mm film.

For more information or to register please contact
Elli Hearte
(506) 536-1211
production@strutsgallery.ca

16mm Reborn: The Sackville Film Initiative, in partnership with the Sackville Film Society, The Vogue Cinema, and Mount Allison University, is made possible through the support of a media arts development project grant from the Canada Council for the Arts.

Beth Powing.

New books will be launched. Literary prizes will be awarded. Writing workshops will be presented and poetry readings will be given at the Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick’s WordsSpring in Sussex, May 13-15, with Alexander MacLeod, Allan Lynch, Chad Pelley and Beth Powning among the featured authors at this annual gathering.

The three-day event is open to the public and gets underway Friday, May 13, at the Sussex Artists Co-op Tea Room, at 6 p.m., where a wine and cheese reception will be hosted by SLICE (Sussex Literary Initiatives and Cultural Events), followed by book launches, readings and musical entertainment, highlighting local youth talent as well as the talents of local writers, including Beth Powning, Vanessa Moeller and Kelly Cooper.

The Federation’s annual general meeting will lead off activities on May 14 at the Masonic Hall at 9 a.m. The AGM will precede a workshop on the business of writing, led by former Kings County Record publisher and author of four books, Allan Lynch, entitled “Monetize Me!”

Tammy Morris and the Sussex Corner schoolchildren will present a Readers’ Theatre during a noontime lunch buffet. The afternoon program opens with a workshop on fiction and publishing by Chad Pelley, a multi-award-winning writer from St. John’s, NL, starting at 1 p.m. His debut novel, Away from Everywhere, was a Coles’ bestseller and was shortlisted for several prestigious emerging writer awards.

Alexander MacLeod will follow Pelley to the stage to read excerpts from his book Light Lifting, a 2010 Giller Prize finalist. His first book was also named 2010 Book of the Year by editors of The Globe and Mail, Quill and Quire, The Chronicle Herald and Amazon.ca. MacLeod, who is the son of one of Canada’s literary greats, Alistair MacLeod, will open the floor for a Q&A with the audience after his reading. Pelley will return to the stage at 3:45 p.m. for a discussion with MacLeod, moderated by Powning.

WordsSpring moves to the Lions’ Den that evening for a spring-themed Literary Awards Soirée. This event will be highlighted by the presentation of prizes to the winners of the Federation’s annual literary competition, a reading by Pelley and entertainment by local performers including the Sussex Choral Society.

The 2011 edition of WordsSpring closes on Sunday, May 15, with an open mic brunch at the Lions Den.

A registration fee of $90 will reserve space at the Lynch and Pelley workshops and also covers lunch and soirée fees. Other events are free. For more information on the event, visit the Federation’s website at www.wfnb.ca where you will find a downloadable, printable registration form and payment instructions.

Promoting Your Business
Part 1: Monday, May 16, 2011, 6pm – 9pm
Part 2: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6pm – 9pm

Choosing the best advertising or promotion medium is often difficult for small businesses. Where to spend it and how much to spend are questions often asked. This workshop is targeted to companies who have already identified the characteristics of their target market but now want to know the best way to promote to that group.

Facilitator: Faron Dawe, Apropos Marketing and Communications
Cost: $60 HST included
Deadline to Register: May 9, 2011

Break the Rules – Close More Sales!
Part 1: Monday, June 6, 2011, 6pm – 9pm
Part 2: Tuesday, June 7, 2011, 6pm – 9pm

As a visionary Entrepreneur, Sales Manager or Sales representative of your organization, you are always looking for ways to grow your top and bottom line. In this workshop you will learn an effective way to introduce yourself to prospective clients; be able to get more appointments; more effectively communicate with your prospects; and learn how to close more sales.

Facilitator: Russ Mallard, Mallard & Associates Ltd. (a Sandler Training firm)
Cost: $60 HST included
Deadline to Register: May 30, 2011

All workshops will be held at the Rodd Miramichi River Hotel, Miramichi.

To register or for more information, please contact: Pierre Breau, CBDC Northumberland at (506)778-2121 or email pierre.breau@cbdc.ca

Click here for our downloadable/printable registration form.

Registration – $90 – is required to reserve space in the Lynch and Pelley workshops, the MacLeod reading and also covers lunch and Soirée fees. Events with (R) require registration.

Friday May 13
Venue: SUSSEX ARTISTS CO-OP, Tea Room, 12 Maple Ave.

6PM Wine and Cheese Reception (provided by SLICE, Sussex Literary Initiatives and Cultural Events)

7PM WordsSpring opening, Local Writers & BOOK LAUNCHES with readings (line-up to TBA)
Singing Telegram Karen Gallagher, Mary Lea Stafford, Patricia Stout

8PM Highlighting Local Youth Talent
Liam Keith (acoustic guitar); Steven Kryev (reading); Thomas Ans (crooner); Caitlyn Post.
Acts from GLEE VARIETY SHOW
Wine, Cheese, Finger food

Saturday May 14
Venue MASONIC HALL, 482 Main Street (coffee and donuts available)

9AM – 10:30AM WFNB AGM

10:30 Coffee Break

(R) 10:45 – noon – Writers Workshop by Allan Lynch “Monetize Me!”

(R) 12 noon LUNCH BUFFET (during lunch: 15 min Reader’s Theatre – Tammy Morris with Sussex Corner School Children)

(R) 1 – 2:30PM Chad Pelley Fiction & Publishing Workshop

(R) 2:45 – 3:30PM 30-minute reading by Alexander Macleod, followed by Q&A

(R) 3:45 – 4:30PM Discussion with MacLeod, Pelley, and Powning (Beth as moderator)

And (weather/time permitting):

4:30 pm WALKABOUT available with SLICE guides.
Mural Tour – Lorraine Pollock
Trout Creek Walking Tour – Anita Anita Hallyburton
Pub Crawl – Mason Jar, Broadway Café… Bonny Hill

SUPPER – left up to individual choice of restaurant (recommendations to follow)

7PM Literary Awards Soirée w/ Spring Theme, art, decor and flowering plants from Corn Hill Nursery
Venue: LION’S DEN, 58 Willow Court
Honouring of 2 WFNB Members, then a 10-minute reading by Chad Pelley

7:30 – 8:30 : Literary Competition Awards & Brief (5 minute) Readings from winners (suggested $10 donation)
Desserts and Cash Bar
Entertainment: Sarah Hallyburton & Mike Ross –opera
Sussex Choral Society, directed by David Mitchell, accompaniment Karen Gallagher.
“Bridge Over Troubled Waters,” “Blue Skies” “Tell My Ma”; Harp

Sunday, May 15
Venue: Lions Club, 58 Willow Court

10 am – noon OPEN MIC Brunch – Open to public and WFNB ($10 for brunch)

For those wishing to stay overnight, contact WFNB for suggestions regarding hotels, B&Bs, and billeting. We hope to have an announcement soon re. special rates for WFNB members.

Click here for our downloadable/printable registration form.

If you’re having trouble viewing the registration form, write us: wfnb@nb.aibn.com.

For more information about WordsSpring or the Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick visit our website.

Faucet Media Arts Centre & Struts Gallery is pleased to present the 12th annual Super 8 Hotel Film Festival. This annual program provides the opportunity for participants to shoot their own short film and even hand process the stock before presenting their finished piece at a public screening.

Elli Hearte is on hand to provide instruction and encouragement to Super 8 veterans and beginners alike. We have B&W ($30) and colour ($40) stock available now. The price includes film, camera rental, instruction, shipping, and processing.

Please call (506)536-1211 or email production@strutsgallery.ca to book your camera and film.

Hand-processing
There will be an opportunity to hand process your B&W film later in the month. Please contact Elli if you are interested.

Lab Processing
If you don’t wish to hand-process your film, we will be sending a batch to the lab in Toronto. The deadline is Monday May 2nd.

Super 8 Filmmaking Workshop
Wednesday, April 13 at 7:00 pm

Elli Hearte will facilitate this workshop providing an introduction to super 8 filmmaking, a beautiful, affordable and exciting alternative to video. Elli will discuss the basics of camera operation and exposure, film types and some other fun stuff. Participants will then have a couple of weeks to book a camera, shoot a roll of film and have it developed in time for the Super 8 Hotel Film Festival. The workshop is free, though there is a cost for the film and processing. Please register today by contacting the gallery at (506)536 1211 or email: production@strutsgallery.ca

Comedy writers of all genres will be eager to grab a pen and some paper during the next Frye Festival. Internationally known comedic writer Randy Pearlstein will be in town to offer a Writing for Comedy Workshop on Saturday April 30 from 12:30 pm to 3:45 pm. The event is part of the workshop series offered by the Frye Festival, Atlantic Canada’s largest literary happening, which will take place from April 25 to May 1 in the Greater Moncton region. Other workshops on the schedule include poetry and fiction, as well as writing workshops for kids.

“No matter what kind of comedy writing you do: fiction, screenplays, stand-up or sketch, this is the workshop for you!” says Dawn Arnold, Chair of the Frye Festival. “Comedy is a booming industry these days and we are happy to announce the support of Enterprise Greater Moncton for this event.” The Writing for Comedy Workshop will take place at the Dieppe Arts and Culture Centre on April 30.

Tickets for the comedy, fiction and poetry workshops are on sale at www.tickets.moncton.ca. Children’s workshops are free and will take place during KidsFest on Saturday, April 30, starting at 10:30 am.

Randy Pearlstein, Writing for Comedy workshop.

Writing for Comedy Workshop with Randy Pearlstein
Toronto native Randy Pearlstein will share numerous storytelling techniques that can be used with almost any form of comedy: screenplay, fiction, stand-up or theatre. Participants will write jokes and scenes together and see how they play when amended to fit your voice and current projects. This workshop is offered in English.

Pearlstein is a professor of film and television at Rutgers University in New Jersey. Currently, Randy lends his voice to Leonard on the animated series Ugly Americans (Comedy Network) and tours with his sketch group New Exc!tement (2010 Montreal Just For Laughs Festival). Other credits include Chappelle’s Show, Onion Sports Network, Michael and Michael Have Issues and co-writing the film Cabin Fever. Tickets for this event are $50 ($45 for PWAC members).

Fiction and Poetry Workshops
All poets (published and closet!) are invited to get creative with a poetry workshop with award-winning writer Tammy Armstrong. Her work has appeared in literary magazines and anthologies in Canada, US, Europe, the UK and Algeria. She has published two novels and four poetry collections. Her newest poetry collection is The Scare in the Crow from Goose Lane Editions. She currently lives in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Tammy’s poetry workshop will be held on Thursday, April 28, from 10 am to 12 pm at the Moncton public Library. This workshop is offered in English.

On Friday, April 29, join author Hélène Dorion for a creative writing workshop in French at the Moncton Public Library. Born in Québec City, Dorion has published over 20 books of poetry, stories and essays. Her work has been widely translated and published in 15 countries, and garnered a number of honours and prestigious literary awards in Québec and abroad. The 90-minute workshop starts at 10:30 am. (This workshop will be in French.)

On Saturday April 30, join Mark Anthony Jarman for a fiction writing workshop from 10 am to 12 pm at the Riverview Public Library. Jarman is the author of 19 Knives, My White Planet, New Orleans Is Sinking, Dancing Nightly in the Tavern and the travel book Ireland’s Eye. His novel, Salvage King Ya!, is on Amazon.ca’s list of 50 Essential Canadian Books and is the number one book on Amazon’s list of best hockey fiction. Jarman teaches at the University of New Brunswick where he is fiction editor of The Fiddlehead.

For the kids
The Frye Festival always offers writing workshops for youngsters during KidsFest (Saturday, April 30, from 9:30 am to 12 pm). Children writer Helaine Becker will lead a workshop targeted to kids 10 to 12 years old in English, while storyteller Christine Adjahi will present a writing workshop for children aged 8 to 12 in French. Both workshops will be held at the Moncton Public Library. There is no need to register and both workshops are free!

Tickets
Tickets for all adult workshops are on sale at www.tickets.moncton.ca at the cost of $10 each, except for Randy Pearlstein’s Writing for Comedy Workshop, which is $50 ($45 for PWAC members).

For more information regarding the 12th edition of the Frye Festival and its program, visit www.frye.ca.