So who’s planning on getting in on the NaNoWriMo fun this year?
That would be National Novel Writing Month, for the uninitiated – a writing extravaganza that happens every year and challenges people all around the globe to complete a novel during the month of November.
It’s a popular challenge: last year’s event attracted more than 430,000 (yes, you read that right) participants from all around the world.
The Burnaby Public Library is getting in on the fun this year – McGill branch is inviting people to turn up at Come Write In sessions in November.
On Nov. 7, 14, 22 and 28, you can drop in to the library from 6 to 8:45 p.m. and write in the company of fellow writers. You can sip some tea, take part in timed sprint challenges, get tips and encouragement and make progress on your 50,000 words.
Then, on Dec. 5, the library will host a Writers Open Mike for those who would like to read or perform up to five minutes or their own work.
Check out www.bpl.bc.ca/events for more on the library sessions.
For more about NaNoWriMo or to sign up, see www.nanowrimo.org.
JAKE'S GIFT AT SHADBOLT CENTRE
Theatre lovers, just a reminder that you can catch an award-winning independent production at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts next week.
Jake’s Gift, a one-woman production by Julia Mackey, tells the story of a Second World War veteran’s reluctant return to Normandy for the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings. While there, he encounters Isabelle, a precocious 10-year-old from the local village, and their conversation leads the old soldier to confront some long-ignored ghosts.
It’s onstage at 8 p.m. on Nov. 2 and 3, and tickets are $30 to $38. You can buy at the box office, 604-205-3000, or through tickets.shadboltcentre.com.
MOVIE SCREENING AT LIBRARY
Looking for some family fun for a chilly November night?
The McGill branch of Burnaby Public Library is hosting a family movie night on Friday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.
Everyone can drop in to see The Secret World of Arrietty – the animated film based on the award-winning children’s favourite The Borrowers.
It’s recommended for ages seven and up, and parents must accompany all kids under 10.
You can just drop in to see the movie; no registration is needed. See www.bpl.bc.ca/events for all the details.
AUTHOR FEATURED AT FESTIVAL
A Burnaby author is featured during the upcoming Jewish Book Festival in Vancouver.
The Cherie Smith JCC Jewish Book Festival runs Nov. 27 to Dec. 1 at the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver and other venues – with workshops, author readings, panel discussions, interdisciplinary and multimedia events, bookstores, and more.
Ellen Schwartz, a Burnaby resident who teaches creative writing at Douglas College, is featured in the festival in an event for elementary school students with her book Heart of a Champion.
The coming-of-age story is set in 1941 and follows the story of a young boy obsessed with baseball whose life changes drastically when war comes to his Japanese community in Vancouver. One of the major characters is a Jewish girl who befriends him – a girl whose family has escaped Nazi Germany.
“This allows Schwartz to draw parallels between the treatment of Jews in Europe leading to the Holocaust and Japanese in Canada during the war,” explains a writeup about the festival.
Check out www.jewishbookfestival.ca for all the details.
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
