Advertisement

Art & Books

New at the fest

Seen those XXX signs all over town? They refer to the fact that the International Festival of Authors turns 30 this year, delivering the kind of glittery lineup that makes it the TIFF of literary festivals. Here’s what’s new.

[rssbreak]

Scotch broth

Get out the kilts, the Scots are coming. The Authors Festival presents Writing Scotland, with 15 authors including Murray Grigor, Richard Holloway, Denise Mina, Andrew O’Hagan and Martin MacIntyre discussing their own works and Scotland’s literary traditions. Love those accents.


Loosening up

Finally, a party open to the public. IFOA invites you to a series of later-night events that are licensed and guaranteed to be lively. For example, on Friday (October 23), The Peep Diaries author Hal Niedzviecki invites Dani Couture, Jennifer Cowan and Lauren Kirshner to talk Peep, and authors from IFOAs past join the event via the Web. According to Niedzviecki, the Internet is a non-stop broadcast, and the star of the show is you. So be ready for your close-up. 10 pm, Brigantine Room.


Honouring Quarrington

ifoa3+2_160.jpg

ifoa3+4_160.jpg

Artists and authors including Margaret Atwood, David Bezmogis, Wayson Choy and, flying in specially for this event, Roddy Doyle salute novelist, musician and screenwriter Paul Quarrington, who is struggling with health issues. Look for readings, tributes and surprises on Saturday (October 24), 3 pm, in the Brigantine Room. And it’s another licensed event, so you can hoist a brew in Quarrington’s honour.


Stand up and laugh

ifoa3+3_160.jpg

A.L. Kennedy’s smash one-woman show Words, part of Writing Scotland, comes to Toronto as part of the Authors Festival after a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe. True, Kennedy’s novels spotlight some bleak scenarios, but don’t assume anything – word is this show’s a gas. Saturday (October 24), 4 pm, Fleck Dance Theatre.


Boosting bikes

No, not stealing them – making it easier to use them. On Saturday (October 24) a panel meets on the theme of Cities, Bicycles, And The Future Of Getting Around. Panelists include artist/musician and author of Bicycle Diaries David Byrne (see interview, page 24), national NDP leader Jack Layton, urban theorist Ken Greenberg and local bicycle advocate Yvonne Bambrick. Ben McNally hosts at 1 pm, Fleck Dance Theatre.


Still true

Yes, students get in free, depending on ticket availability.


Signatures for free

You don’t have to have a ticket to get that signature from your fave author, that is, if that writer’s event takes place at either the Lakeside Terrace or the Brigantine Room. Just time your arrival at the end of the formal event and get in line to meet the author in the area outside those venues, now called the Festival Hub. Trust us, no one will stop you.

Advertisement

Exclusive content and events straight to your inbox

Subscribe to our Newsletter

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By signing up, I agree to receive emails from Now Toronto and to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.