Author Gowan featured at Steeplejack Festival in Herbert

The Steeplejack Festival has invited Saskatchewan author Lee Gowan, now based in Toronto, to give a reading at St. Patrick’s Church in Herbert, on Aug. 3, at 8 p.m. Gowan, who was raised on a farm near Swift Current, is the author of three novels:

(2001), which was nominated for a Trillium Award,

(2004), and 2009), along with a collection of short stories,

(1990), and a screenplay, for the movie Paris or Somewhere, which won three awards and a Gemini nomination. A Quill and Quire reviewer wrote of his “Gowan makes some marvelous observations about small- and large-town life.” The Hamilton Spectator praised his for its “sparse, unadorned prose”.

Gowan is the current director of the creative writing program of the School of Continuing Studies at the University of Toronto.

Brady Frank, 19, was born and raised in Swift Current. A multi-instrumentalist as well as a singer and composer, Frank has mastered the guitar, piano, bass, and trombone. He performs in several local bands and is currently studying Music Education at the University of Regina, majoring in classical and jazz trombone.

The Steeplejack Festival has been presenting concerts, readings and solo theatrical shows at the former church in the town Herbert since 1997.

The weekend of Aug. 2-4 is also the annual rodeo weekend in Herbert, with multiple events including a Saturday 11 a.m. parade, in addition to the rodeo itself which begins Friday at 6 p.m and continues through Sunday afternoon.

For further information on Steeplejack events or to reserve a seat ($10 donation) call 306-784-2689.