Archive for the ‘MSA-PPS News’ Category

Fourth PPS Book Launch of 2013 ends Blue Moon Season

Posted by Violet Nesdoly on October 9, 2013

The reading year for the Poets Potpourri Society ended on a high note Monday, October 7th with the launch of Satwant Pander’s newest book, The Healing Power of Nature. This was the fourth book launched by a PPS member in a Blue Moon reading in 2013!

Seven readers shared the Open Mic segment that preceded the launch. It contained the usual poetic variety, though on this evening it seemed that nature poems edged out other subjects in popularity.

PPS Open Mic readers – October 7, 2013

During the break, Ruth-Ann Braun sold raffle tickets on a basket of farm produce that Braun Acres generously donated (proceeds of the raffle to PPS). The draw was made right after the intermission with Shelley Haggard winning a gift bag donated by a local credit union and Violet Nesdoly the lucky winner of farm fresh herbs and vegetables, a dozen free-range eggs, a bottle of wine and a to-be-arranged Harvest Dinner at Braun Acres.

Blue Moon reading break for refreshments. Raffle produce basket courtesy Braun Acres.

Satwant began her book launch by reading a few poems from The Healing Power of Nature. Then she invited a group of friends, colleagues, and family members to pose for a photo with each holding a copy of the book. Following this, people from the group took turns to either to read a selection they had chosen or comment on the book as a whole. Members of the Founding Punjabi Literary Association of Abbotsford, The Central Association of Punjabi Writers of North America, and the members of Punjabi Writers Forum joined poets from the Poets Potpourri Society in launching The Healing Power of Nature.

Blue Moon book launch readers - The Healing Power of Nature

Punjabi and Canadian writers read from and comment on The Healing Power of Nature.

In addition to poems praising nature Satwant’s book has poems about family, writing, her admiration of the Creator, and the meaning of life. And so it was interesting to note what people chose to read and the various aspects of Satwant’s writing that spoke to different individuals.

Satwant Pander reads from her book The Healing Power of Nature.

Of course along with the readings came many congratulations from members of PPS and the Indo Canadian Literary Society on this handsome hardcover volume of poetry, photographs and quotes. Well done, Satwant!

All in all It was a beautiful and varied multicultural evening, and a wonderful way to end another season of Blue Moon readings.

Satwant Pander, signing books after the launch.

**************

Our next event is the Annual General Meeting

Kariton Gallery

2387 Ware Street [Mill Lake Park], Abbotsford, B.C.,

Monday, October 21st

6:30 p.m.

All members are asked to attend.

Posted in Member News, MSA-PPS News, Poets | Tagged: Abbotsford arts, Abbotsford BC, book launch, nature poetry, open mic reading, Poets Potpourri Society, Satwant Pander | Leave a Comment »

Join us for the last Blue Moon reading of 2013

Posted by Violet Nesdoly on September 19, 2013

PPS Blue Moon Reading October 7, 2013

Praise for Satwant’s book:

“As lovers of God’s creation in nature, Satwant Pander’s book The Healing Power of Nature pulled me into its pages. In her poem on Page 13, the line “The tree keeps me company when I am alone” – how true! Nice to see her daughter Kiran’s comment – page 10 and also Soul to Soul, page 70″ – Donna Bishop (Founder of Poets Potpourri Society).

Posted in Local poetry news, MSA-PPS News | Tagged: Abbotsford BC, book launch, Clearbrook Library, open mic, poetry reading, Satwant Kaur Pander | Leave a Comment »

Blue Moon shines again

Posted by Violet Nesdoly on September 12, 2013

On September 9th the Poets Potpourri Society resumed after taking the summer off.

To honour International Literacy Day, Sharon Crowley from Literacy Matters Abbotsford began the evening by telling us about some of the literacy programs available for all ages through her organization. (For information, check out their website).

Ten poets took advantage of the Open Mic segment, reading poems on an array of subjects, from summer to surgery, intellect to alienation, saying farewell to savouring the wine of life.

Literacy Matters Abbotsford guest Sharon Crowley (top right) and five of the PPS open mic readers 09/09/13.

More PPS open mic readers.
What poets eat (bottom right)

After coffee time, featured reader Alvin Ens introduced his latest book, Must Have A Sense of Humour.

Violet and Irene, Alvin’s wife, read prose pieces from this witty collection, written over years with many prize-winning and previously published pieces in the bunch. Alvin concluded the reading by sharing several of the book’s poems. If anyone left frowning, it certainly wasn’t his fault.

Alvin Ens launches Must Have A Sense of Humour 09-09-13

Irene and Alvin Ens launch Must Have A Sense of Humour 09/09/13

Now mark your calendars for our next and final Blue Moon Reading of the 2013 season. It will take place on October 7th (6:30-8:30, Clearbrook Library, 32320 George Ferguson Way, Abbotsford). Our featured reader that evening will be Satwant Pander. She will launch her collection of English poems and photographs—The Healing Power of Nature. (Poster coming soon!)

Posted in Member News, MSA-PPS News | Tagged: Abbotsford BC, Alvin Ens, Blue Moon Reading series, Clearbrook Library, Fraser Valley poets, Fraser Valley writers, open mic, poetry reading | Leave a Comment »

Blue Moon reading launches another book!

Posted by Violet Nesdoly on August 7, 2013

Our next Blue Moon Reading is just a bit over a month away. Plan to celebrate International Literacy Day with us as Alvin Ens launches his new book Must Have a Sense of Humour: musings over a lifetime of writing. Details are on the poster below.

Posted in MSA-PPS News | Tagged: Alvin Ens, book launch, humour, International Literacy Day, open mic, poetry reading | Leave a Comment »

Snowflake Princess launched at June Blue Moon

Posted by Violet Nesdoly on June 16, 2013

Poets and friends gathered at the Abbotsford Library n Monday June 10th for the Poets Potpourri Society’s June Blue Moon open mic reading and book launch.

Eight open mic readers entertained us with poems on many subjects from the last day of school to the heroism of the gamer, the joys and challenges of motherhood to musings on a Tennessee storm.

After the break special guest Carol Todd shared her passion to help kids deal with the realities of their cyber-world. She told us how she was taking a year out of her life as a long-time advocate for kids (she’s a special needs teacher) to advocate for her daughter (Amanda Todd) whose death after unbearable bullying was eight months from the night of the reading.

Emily’s book, Snowflake Princess, was especially significant to her because “Princess Snowflake” was the playful nickname she called Amanda. Carol reminded us how appropriate a snowflake is in describing our children and teens, with their beauty, uniqueness, and fragility.

Nicholas Roberts introduced Emily, after which she launched her book Snowflake Princess by reading selections from this prose-poetry book.

The poems employ various voices: Ivory—the Snowflake Princess; Ebony—her mother and a young naturalist and poet; and the Philosopher—Ivory’s father (latter selections read by Brayden Sawatzky). The poems delve into tragedy and suffering, and seek to find their meaning through poetry and symbolism.

Congratulations, Emily, on another beautiful book!

The Poets Potpourri Society will be taking a summer break but will return on September 9th to celebrate International Literacy Day. Please check back for details closer to the event.

Posted in Member News, MSA-PPS News | Tagged: Abbotsford BC, Emily Isaacson, MSA Poets Potpourri Society, open mic, poetry reading | Leave a Comment »

Emily Isaacson to launch Snowflake Princess

Posted by Violet Nesdoly on June 4, 2013

Our next Open Mic and Blue Moon reading is approaching fast! We’re looking forward to the launch of Emily Isaacson’s newest book Snowflake Princess.

This acclaimed book of prose-poetry is a tribute. The story, based on a true story, is told in myth.

To read about the characters in the book, go to the Snowflake Princess website, select names from the menu and read samples of Emily’s prose-poems.

The evening is special in another way. Guest Carol Todd (mother of the late Amanda Todd) will attend and speak briefly during the introduction. In addition the Amanada Todd Legacy Fund will receive 10% of the profits from the sale of book.

Snowflake Princess by Emily Isaacson

Blue Moon Reading and Open Mic

June 10

6:30 − 8:30 p.m.

Clearbrook Library

32320 George Ferguson Way

Abbotsford, BC

All are invited to this free event!

The open mic part of the evening will begin at 6:30. Readers, please sign up when you arrive. (Individuals do not need to be members of the Poets Potpourri Society to read.) Featured reading follows at around 7:15 p.m.

Posted in Member News, MSA-PPS News | Tagged: Abbotsford BC, Amanda Todd, Amanda Todd Legacy Fund, book launch, Emily Isaacson, MSA PPS, poetry, Poets Potpourri Society, prose poems, Snowflake Princess | Leave a Comment »

Roberts launches debut solo collection

Posted by Violet Nesdoly on May 15, 2013

Lovers of poetry gathered in the Clearbrook Library Monday, May 13th to read and listen to poetry. As usual the open mic offering was varied with poems on diverse topics: the cycles of life and nature to words and numbers and their mysterious hold on us (“I can do the math!” insists Alvin), and more.

Some of the open mic readers, Blue Moon reading May 13, 2013

After coffee Nicholas Roberts launched his first solo poetry collection, the space between the eyes. After his friend read an opening poem, Roberts told us a bit about his writing and publishing journey, and read from his handsome book.

PPS Blue Moon book launch - Nicholas Roberts

Nicholas Roberts reads from the space between the eyes – 1

The audience enjoyed poems that ranged in subject from the list of things one will find on his bed, to the poem that was the inspiration for the title of a previous collaborative publication —A Trail of Light:

I think she walked in meadows green,
and traced her path—a trail of light:
through fairy glasses she has seen
green winged dragons’ flight” – a space between the eyes, p. 42.

There was also humor. I was especially amused at “Conversation with an insect.” (He may not have read this on Monday night but I found it on my own later.) Who of us hasn’t watched an insect and wished we knew what he or she was trying to say?

“…And then, in another language,
he said something to me
in a whispered garble,
gestured with his forelegs, rubbing together
like hands in anticipation,
like fighting for warmth,
like a deviant genius…” -p. 71

No matter what his subject, Roberts manages to give it an unexpected twist that leaves us mulling over what we’ve just heard. He does that so well in “Paragon,” a poem about one of his pastimes, online gaming, which ends:

“…For all their intangibility
the feelings were real, as were the alliances I forged:
we who heeded the call to make a difference—
there were heroes inside all of us.” – p. 114.

The evening wound down with the audience asking for just one more and, after the reading, Roberts signed books.

Congratulations, Nicholas Roberts and your publishing team on a job well done!

Nicholas Roberts launches the space between the eyes – 2

(To purchase your own copy of the space between the eyes, please contact the author via his website or twitter.)

Now it’s time to mark your calendars for June 10th, our June Blue Moon Reading when PPS member Emily Isaacson will be the featured reader as she launches and reads from a new book.

Date – June 10, 2013
6:30 − 8:30
Clearbrook Library Meeting Room
32320 George Ferguson Way
Abbotsford, B.C.

Come prepared to read a poem or two during the open mic portion of the evening (6:30). Featured reading begins around 7:15.

To view other interesting poetry events available in the community, click on the Poetry Around Town tab.

Posted in Member News, MSA-PPS News | Tagged: Abbotsford, book launch, Clearbrook Library, Nicholas Roberts, open mic, poetry, poetry reading | Leave a Comment »

May Blue Moon Reading & Book launch

Posted by Violet Nesdoly on May 3, 2013

Our next event is just around the corner. Mark your calendars for May 13th when our own Nicholas Roberts will be the featured guest at the Blue Moon Reading Series. He will be launching his new book the space between the eyes!

Find out more about the space between the eyes HERE.

Posted in Member News, MSA-PPS News | Tagged: Blue Moon Reading series, book launch, MSA PPS, Nicholas Roberts, the space between the eyes | Leave a Comment »

National Poetry Month off to a good start

Posted by Violet Nesdoly on April 9, 2013

Members of MSA PPS and their friends got National Poetry Month off to a great start on Monday, April 8th.

Eleven readers participated in the open mic portion of the evening sharing poems on subjects as varied as playing games to the nature of poetry itself. A couple of voices from the past joined us when Brayden Sawatzky read Thurlow Gowan’s “Tom Connors” and Alvin Ens read William Henry Drummond’s “Leetle Bateese.” Alvin also reminded us of the Dr. William Henry Drummond poetry contest (deadline on April 15th) in which he and Shelly Haggard have placed in previous years.

MSA PPS Blue Moon Reading – open mic readers

More open mic and mingling during the break

After a a break we heard from featured reader Robert Martens. He told how surprised he was to discover his chapbook Poltergeist had made the bpNichol competition shortlist (seeing as how he hadn’t even entered the competition).

He told the story of the setting and read “triumph of the will (1975)” from Poltergeist. Other poems he shared included “i take my coffee black” (p. 11 of this PDF) and “Mother Cedar.” All were met with enthusiastic applause.

Robert Martens at MSA PPS Blue Moon reading

Featured Blue Moon reader Robert Martens

Thank you to all readers and especially Robert for a most enjoyable evening!

Now mark your calendars for the next Blue Moon Reading, scheduled for May 13th (6:30 − 8:30, Clearbrook Library, 32320 George Ferguson Way, Abbotsford, B.C.). On that night we’re hoping to celebrate the publication Nicholas Roberts’ new book. There will also be an open mic.

More to check out:

More poetry by Robert Martens (linked on left sidebar)

Poetry of our newest member – Lloyd Short

Two new books by Emily Isaacson:

Hours from a Convent

The Two Olive Trees

Write! Vancouver – a conference for writers (May 24 & 25). Workshops include sessions for poets – details HERE.

Posted in MSA-PPS News | Tagged: Clearbrook BC, Fraser Valley, literary clubs, MSA Poets Potpourri Society, open mic, poetry readings | Leave a Comment »

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