Reading Town has kicked off in Greater Sudbury.
A number of literary events for all ages will take place around town May 1-7. Some of the events, like playwright Emil Sher's “Reading for Pleasure” presentation tomorrow afternoon, will focus on the importance of reading to children at a young age and detaching from screens and technology in favour of the printed word.
“I was speaking with a child educator last week and she was telling me that children who are 16-months-old are now swiping across pages,” said local organizer Derek Young — referring to the way people interact with devices like tablets and smart phones — in his remarks at the Reading Town launch event this morning at Tom Davies Square. “It might sound unbelievable, but it's true.”
Local Indigenous hip-hop artist Bryden Gwiss Kiwenzie opened this morning's event with a traditional song. Deputy Mayor and Ward 12 councillor Jocelyne Landry-Altmann was on hand to proclaim it Reading Town Week in Greater Sudbury and former poet laureate Roger Nash delivered a reading.
In the spring of 2016, the National Reading Campaign brought its Reading Town initiative to Greater Sudbury.
Designed to create an exemplary model of what a reading Canada looks like, the literary festival included multiple events designed to get people reading.
Given the success of last year's event, Reading Town returns to Greater Sudbury again from May 1-7.
"Sudbury is a cultural microcosm of Canada, and the leaders we have found here in education, libraries, and the creative community make this a perfect home for Reading Town/Ville Lecture,” said Sandy Crawley, executive director of the National Reading Campaign, in a press release.
Here's some of what's happening this year:
- Reading Town Sudbury launch and World Book Parade, May 1, 10:30 a.m., Tom Davies Square - Hear about the festival's lineup. Also includes a pirate-themed World Book Parade based on the TD Bank 2016 Book selection Small Saul by Ashley Spiers.
- TD Bank Read Aloud, May 2, 9:30 a.m. - Local celebrities, media personalities and teachers will read Small Saul by Ashley Spiers to students in Sudbury and its surrounding communities. Register at [email protected].
- Reading for Pleasure with Emil Sher, May 2, 4:30 p.m., MacLeod Public School – The educator and award-winning children's author shares tips and tricks to help encourage reading for pleasure and the importance of reading to children at a young age. Event also includes a book fair.
- The Spirits of Reading, May 3, 5:30 p.m., Fromagerie Elgin – Event includes a smorgasbord of interesting reads, spirits and food pairings from local authors and foodies. Evening hosted by local food and drink writer Hugh Kruzel, and featuring local authors Kari Fisher, William Cole, Rosanna Battigelli, Ralph Dominelli and Jessica Nadel.
- Stories from the Land with Ryan McMahon, May 4, 7 p.m., McEwen School of Architecture – The indigenous writer, actor and comedian discusses stories from the land, Canada 150 and what it means historically.
- Spring Fling Erotic Cabaret, May 5, 8 p.m., Little Montreal - After a successful first edition of the Spring Fling Erotic Cabaret in 2016, the event returns for a steamy night with some adult-only bedtime stories. Local writers are invited to share their erotic stories and poetry in this late-night event.
- Reading Town Train, May 6-7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Northern Ontario Railroad Museum and Heritage Centre, Capreol - Enjoy a fun-filled day of family activities, discover life on a school car as recreated by local performers, and stories from Creepy Capreol will come alive through narration by authors Mat Del Papa, Liisa Kovala and Tom Leduc. Guided Creepy Capreol bus tours depart at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
- Story Time Trail Launch and Poetry Hike, May 7, 10 a.m., Lake Laurentian Conservation Area - This year, the Story Time Trail features local author Danielle Daniel's book “Sometimes I Feel Like A Fox.” Local poet laureates also host a trail hike starting at 1 p.m.
- Colleen Murphy in Conversation with Caleb Marshall, May 7, 7 p.m., Sudbury Theatre Centre – Event features Murphy, a Governor General Literary award-winning author and playwright, and Marshall, Sudbury Theatre Centre's artistic executive director. Free tickets available through STC's box office.
For the full Reading Town lineup, visit this website.
