Aspiring Authors and Poets – The Words Alive Literary Festival is for You

The Words Alive Literary Festival takes place on Sunday, September 21^st at the Sharon Temple. The jam-packed schedule includes workshops for writers, such as “What an Agent Can Do for You” by literary agent, Marie Campbell. Editor Allyson Latta will conduct a workshop on memoir writing.

“Words Alive was created to encourage and support writers, as well as readers,” says Vali Stone, the festival’s Founder and Chair. As an author herself, Stone believes in creating opportunities for aspiring authors and poets and has done so, by including contests and a public reading forum. Authors and poets can bring their work to share with an audience gathered under the Maple Tree. For many, this may be their first chance to read to an audience. Aspiring poets can also participate in the On-the-Spot poetry contest for the chance to win great prizes.

There is still time for unpublished authors to enter the Words Alive Short Story contest before the closing on September 1^st. Submissions can be uploaded by visiting http://www.wordsalive.ca/contests/.

Words Alive is a literary festival like no other. You can listen as Maureen Jennings brings Detective Murdock to life. Watch in awe as classical Indian dancer, Menaka Thakkar, interprets Barry Dempster’s poetry. This is one day of author readings, poetry, music, storytelling, and so much more. The beautiful and historic Sharon Temple is located just 40 minutes north of Toronto. For more on the festival, visit http://www.wordsalive.ca

Posted August 19th, 2008 in General

Sommerset, Oh Sweet Sommerset

They call themselves Sommerset. Each song they play has been culled from Celtic songbooks, numerous countries or a mix of both. This Aurora based group has been together for five years and their music is not to be confused with the typical Celtic folk, but more mixed and melodious which is what makes them so distinct.  In an old warehouse filled with bits of wood, gigantic metal machinery, tools, and decorated with Christmas lights, patched carpet, and antique chairs, Sommerset pumps out sounds that would stop a raging bull on the spot and perhaps raise a hoof or two.

Their music moves from the more contemplative and dreamlike to the rousing and commanding, transporting listeners to another time and place with the dulcimer, flute, violin and guitar. The group of three members combine a mix of rhythms that evoke a variety of emotions playing from events and actions; war, poverty, slavery, freedom and love.

Ian Coombes has been a resident of Aurora since 1958 when there was a population of 3000. He began his career with the guitar at the age of 17 playing in small Coffee Houses like Fat Alberts, as well as bluegrass and folk festivals, and dreamed of one day forming a group that could play a combination of traditional and modern acoustic music. “ In the 70’s there was no support for young musicians who played the Hammered Dulcimer, a trapezoidal zither with metal strings that are struck with light hammers. “Now we thankfully have the Southern Ontario Dulcimer Association that lends support and finds local musicians to play at a variety of functions.” His dream finally came true in 2003 when he began a duo which has since progressed to a quartet.

The bearded 53 year old, with sleek fingers and an artistic eye says, “My hands are a gift from my grandfather who was a master woodworker in England.” Not only can he play a half a dozen instruments but Ian lovingly crafts ancient wooden instruments in the bowels of the warehouse producing beautiful pieces that have found their hands into leading musicians and professional players throughout Europe.

Donna Gingras has an ear for music.  “I taught myself the ukulele at the age of eight and when I mastered that, nothing could hold me back,” remembers Donna.  Each instrument that she held took her on a musical journey, including the guitar, autoharp, and piano but it was  the violin that became her true love after practicing on an Italian Amati made in the 1600’s and owned by a good friend of her mother’s who played professionally. Her experiences as a youth in a stringed quartet and orchestra as well as winning the Kawanis Festival playing Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet also forced her to become stringent in her practicing. She has also played along with the Southern Ontario Dulcimers. It is her violin that sets the mood for each story to unfold and flourish in Sommerset.  Donna shines with songs that can bring the listener to tears or plays numbers with toe-tapping and thigh slapping tunes.  Her signature, long strawberry blond hair flips back and forth as her bow slices into the strings with a dose of high voltage energy coming and going.

“I try to let my passion and emotion come through the violin so ‘she sings’ with a clear voice to the listener,” says Donna who joined the group four years ago hoping to add to the ethereal ambiance of the music.  “This music crosses all time periods.”

So truly inductive of her name, Skye Sweet releases a soothing, wistful sound with her flute, piccolo and whistle. She began playing the flute in high school and studied privately for a number of years.  A friend of hers convinced her to go to The Woods Music and Dance camp, and she’s never looked back. For a number of years she played for Contra Dances in Toronto and Hamilton.  She currently also plays in the Markham Concert Band and with the Unionville Theatre Company which will be putting on a production of Beauty and the Beast this coming year.  “I play as much as I can, it’s the most important part in my life, it is my sanity.  Celtic music is my favourite; it just seems to stir my soul.”

Come and be inspired. Sit back and let the 1000 year old tune of Brian Boru’s March transport you to the rugged cliffs and emerald green land of Ireland.

Sommerset will be playing at the Second Annual Words Alive Literary Festival on Sunday, September 21st, 2008, at the Sharon Temple in Sharon, Ontario.  The event will showcase award winning authors such as Karolyn Smardz Frost, Maureen Jennings, Mary Swan, Kelly Armstrong etc.  For more information check out the schedule.

Posted August 16th, 2008 in Profiles