Book Launch for Douglas Livingston: Oct. 4/14

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As part of the launch of Doug's Kata Hodos, I sang "Caffeine" (parody of "Cocaine"), "Cal(i)purnia's Dreaming", "Monsters in the Sky" and "Don't Be Afraid".

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Fundraiser for Doug Livingston's Book: July 19/14

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As part of the fundraiser for Douglas Livingston's poetry book Kata Hodos, held at the Lakehead Unitarian Fellowship Hall, I sang You're In Love, '69 - '74, and Benediction.

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NaNoWriMo Reading: Nov. 26/13

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I went to the Open Mic Reading at the Brodie St. Library to hear my friend, Brian, read from his NaNoWriMo novel (which he did complete on time).

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Book Launch for Jean E. Pendziwol's Latest: Fri. Nov. 8/13

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Once Upon a Northern Night

Her official website

Introduced by fellow author (& illustrator): the award-winning Duncan Weller.

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Book Launch: _The_Calling_ @ Chapter's: Oct. 25/13

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John Peace's new book, The Calling, is Sci-Fi, geared for young people. And so his presentation was geared for kids, too, and thus, just right for me.

Follow this link for more info.

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Random Acts of Poetry: Sept. 30/13

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Over the course of several days the folks from Definitely Superior Art Gallery have been committing Random Acts of Poetry at various spots around town.

On Monday they accosted me in the library. (I was expecting them.) After that they sang in the parking lot of St. Andrew's Presbyterian to the Rafiki Youth Choir.

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Urban Infill Art/Music Exhibition: Mar. 30/13

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Singing at Marianne Jones' Poetry Reading: April 5/11

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Thunder Bay writer, Marianne Jones, featured readings from her latest work, Here, on the Ground at a public reading at the Brodie St. Library.

Marianne Jones at nowwwriters.org

She graciously invited me to sing a few songs. So I sang "Don't Be Afraid" and "Benediction" and I began with my newest song: "Empty Places".


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Open Mike "Poetry"

On Tuesday evening I went to hear my friend Doug Livingston (Sr.) read his poetry at the NOWW gathering at the library.

They asked for poems for the open mike times as well (max. one per reader).

So I read this postcard story -- poetically:

Doggie fetched the cloth things. "Good Doggie."

Doggie wished Mannie knew his name. The cloth things had names: Skipper and Chipper. "Fetch Skipper and Chipper, Doggie." Mannie would say and, once Doggie had done so, Mannie would put Skipper and Chipper on his feet and pat Doggie on the head, "Good Doggie".

The white box which Mannie used to make his food hot was named "Jove". The other white box which Mannie used to make his food cold he called "Midge". And Mannie ate his food off Kate while she sat on Mabel.

But Doggie was "Doggie" and he knew that that wasn't a real name. So he called Mannie "Mannie" in his head. He thought Mannie did have a real name, Alegs or something like that, which he used while talking through Joan. "Hi, this is Alegs."

But there was never anyone else in the apartment and so Doggie heard this name infrequently and wasn't sure he had it right. Mannie used Joan very little and usually seemed unhappy after he had. He would sit in Cher and hold Doggie on his lap. Together they would watch Stevie late into the night.

-- Richard Pepper

I received some positive comments, and so I may enter it into their contest.

The wife of one the other readers had been a Dorion Bible Camp-er and now teaches voice and piano. She stayed behind to say nice things about the music at Dorion, and said she regretted missing my "poem". So I gave it to her.

"Empty Spaces Collective" Performance Art: June 14/08

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A couple of shots of Doug Livingston's part in this series of dramatic recitations, performed in the back alleys of downtown Port Arthur.

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