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bill bissett: problematics at UFV http://t.co/6Q7LpscD #books #poetry #art Saturday February 4, 2012
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This fall, Vancouver Opera will present the world premiere of its new commissioned opera by Canada’s foremost opera-creation team: composer John Estacio and librettist John Murrell.
In 1927, in the true story and legend, young Lillian Alling arrives in New York City from Russia in desperate search of a man called Jozéf. Penniless, she walks across North America and into the wilds of northwestern BC, following Jozéf’s elusive path. During her brave trek, she is embraced by a Norwegian farming community in North Dakota, incarcerated in Oakalla Prison Farm near Vancouver, and loved by Scotty, a lineman along BC’s “telegraph trail”.
Seeking freedom in the future but bound to a dark past, Lillian’s fierce determination and alluring mystery drive her into danger and forever change the lives of everyone she meets. A cathartic scene on the banks of Skeena River reveals a shocking truth and brings Lillian face to face with destiny. Her story will take you deep into the emotional heart of love and courage.
At $1.6 million, Lillian Alling is the biggest and most expensive production VO has ever taken on. With two hours of music, 14 scenes, 12 principals, a chorus of 36, a 60-piece orchestra, and more than 175 costumes, it’s guaranteed to be well worth taking in.
Lillian Alling has performances on October 16, 19, 21, and 23.
Visit the Vancouver Opera web site for more information.

Thursday February 2, 2012 in Meta-Talon
How to Bank Your Life on Speculative "Futures"
Jonathan Ball interviews Garry Thomas Morse about various speculative “futures”:
In two volumes of The Chaos! Quincunx, I use what William S. Burroughs called the “fold-in” method, which feels rather like battering some batter in a bowl. This process is exciting, because of its sense of immediacy. I’m never quite sure what the characters are going to do next!
Thursday January 26, 2012 in Meta-Talon
For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again Comes to Kamloops
Michel Tremblay’s For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again comes to Kamloops:
They may seem like everyday moments — and in many ways they are — but, with Lorne Cardinal and Margo Kane playing the only two characters, the play becomes “an homage to his mother,” Leyshon said.
Monday January 23, 2012 in Meta-Talon
Anis Shivani Interviews Michael McClure
Anis Shivani interviewed Beat Poet Michael McClure On Jim Morrison, The Doors, Allen Ginsberg, and Jack Kerouac for The Huffington Post on March 03, 2011:
Shivani: Is Olson the major figure in American poetry after Pound?
McClure: I do not like seeing poetry as literature rather than art and I’m not happy with the separation of Poetry and the sister arts, I prefer to see Art as Art. I perceive that a major figure after Pound would be Jackson Pollock, and instead of looking at “American” Poetry as William Carlos Williams exhorted all to do, I would look worldwide at the poetry of D.H. Lawrence, Federico Garcia Lorca, Vladimir Mayakovsky, and of course Charles Olson, and all.
Thursday January 12, 2012 in Meta-Talon
Direct Harkening: A Review of On the Material
Andrew Vaisius reviews 2011 BC Book Prize Winner On the Material:
This poetry burns straight into your thoughts with a third degree of truth. Words matter. They aren’t frilly or sentimental, hoity-toity or academic. Collis writes in a language unencumbered by tired cliché or overwrought descriptions. His is a direct harkening, devoid of affectation, expressing the gut endurance of each sparking woman/man capable of the “natural brilliance of the human spirit.”
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Canada Council for the Arts; the Government of Canada through the Book Publishing Industry Development Program; and the Province of British Columbia through the British Columbia Arts Council for our publishing activities.