Festival offers variety of stories
Weather forces rescheduling of final book pub of the season
A freezing rain storm two weeks ago prevented two authors from travelling to Sydney from Southwest Margaree, for the Governors Book Pub.
As a result, the final book pub will now be held on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Governor’s on the Esplanade.
As one of the organizers of the book pub, I can say we are very happy that Sarah Faber and Oisin Curran, two of three nominees for this year’s Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award, were able to find time in their busy schedules to make it on the new date.
Faber and Curran, a married couple with a young family, are the authors of, respectively, “All Is Beauty Now” (McClelland and Stewart) and “Blood Fable” (Book Thug).
Both will have copies of their work available for purchase and signing.
This is the final book pub for this season and so it is the final chance to bring a short excerpt of your own unpublished poetry or prose to our Open Stage. Otherwise, it will be a long wait until October.
Admission is by donation with a chance for fabulous door prizes.
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I was fortunate enough to catch the final Sunday evening performance of the Highland Arts Theatre’s production of “The Penelopiad,” Margaret Atwood’s re-interpretation of Homer’s “Odyssey.”
I was drawn into the emotional heart of the play thanks to a full-blooded performance by Robyn Lee Seale as Penelope, as she copes with unwanted, greedy suitors looking to claim her husband’s kingdom when he is too long returning from the Siege of Troy.
Seale had long sections of the play’s narrative all to herself and she more than held the audience’s attention. She was the embodiment of her character’s living soul.
Director Kristen (Birdie) Gregor did an almost perfect job of guiding fine ensemble work from her leading actor and the large cast around her.
Thomas Colford’s choreography and stage movement direction was emotive and expert. Kayla Cormier’s costume, set and props design put the audience visually in the heart of a stylized ancient world.
Also, full marks to whoever wrote the simple but memorable melodies for the various songs in the script (unfortunately, their contributions were not listed in the program).
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Also on Tuesday, the 2018 Isle of Story Festival offers its first event at Sydney’s McConnell Library beginning at 7 p.m.
“Tales of Ile Madame” features storyteller Gabriel LeBlanc recounting tales from the much-storied Richmond County island, in original French.
Cape Breton Regional Library storyteller-in-residence, Ronald Labelle, will also share some of his own Isle Madame stories.
There will also be a book launch.
The festival week proceeds with various presentations and
workshops, almost all open and free to the public, and those interested can visit the festival’s Facebook page for a full schedule at www.facebook.com/isleofstory/posts/.
Those with a special interest in storytelling might take note of the workshop, Stories to Tell, led by festival guest storyteller from Argentina, Marta Singh, on Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m., at the Membertou Heritage Park.
Pre-registration for this workshop is required with a maximum registration of 18 participants.
Phone McConnell Library at 902 562-3161 for information and to register.
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There are a number of upcoming shows to celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 13, among them is “Broadway Showstoppers” with Paul Gatchell and friends (25 of them). It takes place at the Boardmore Playhouse with performances at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Every ticket purchased for “Broadway Showstoppers” will
be entered into a special draw for a custom-made, hand-forged white and yellow gold family ring with the winner’s birthstones to be added to the design. The ring was designed and created by Rob Bowden of Bowden’s Jewellery Repair Studio.
Tickets for this tuneful, heartfelt show are $20 each and available at Bowden’s Studio and Cape Breton Curiosity Shop, both on Sydney’s Charlotte Street, and at the Cape Breton University Boardmore Playhouse box office.