The Mackie Lake House is about to play host to a couple of wordy visitors from Calgary.
Organized by Okanagan College English professor Kevin McPherson, poets Jason Christie and Aaron Giovannone are stopping by the historic Coldstream home for an impromptu residency writing stay.
“I liaised between them and the indelible Christine (Kashuba) at the Mackie Lake House, and we got it happening, but it’s being funded by an impromptu poetry reading,” said McPherson.
McPherson describes both Christie and Giovannone as both smart and funny.
“(Christie’s) words are poetry. His third book, Unknown Actor, was just released this spring from Insomniac Press. His second book, I-robot, is currently being adapted to stage in Calgary. He is a hoot,” said McPherson.
A poet and Italian poetry translator, Giovannone’s first book, The Loneliness Machine, is forthcoming this fall, also from Insomniac Press.
“While pursuing his PhD at the University of Calgary, Aaron listens to hip hop. And he don’t stop,” said McPherson.
Hosted by McPherson and fellow English prof/scribe Jake Kennedy, the intimate night of literary shenanigans (only 35 tickets are being printed) takes place at the Mackie Lake House on Kidston Road, Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Joining the poets will be special guests, student poets Trystan Carter and Lyndsay Thornton as well as musician Luke Mortenson of Paperboy fame.
Tickets are $15 and proceeds go to support the poets’ stay at the house, said McPherson.
Those who wish to reserve a space can e-mail kmcpherson@okanagan.bc.ca or purchase tickets at the Bean Scene.
