Vancouver writers, poets and musicians are flocking to Gabriola Island this weekend and next for the Poetry Gabriola Festival. This is the fourth annual spoken-word and storytelling fest on the island, but this year there is much more than just voice.
Gabbing will mix with finger-picking as Texas’ Charalambides perform in the Great Room of the Surf Lodge this Saturday night. I admit, having seen Charlambides perform once before in the appropriately freezing cold Butchershop, the thought of hearing their ethereal song cycles spin unknowingly throughout a “great room” on a rocky coastline - well, that in itself sold me. As a bonus, Glaswegian singer (and Will Oldham & Jason Molina collaborator) Alasdair Roberts performs on this bill, opening the festival with his take on traditional songs mixed with his own magical blend of guitar and voice.
If you miss out on the opening this weekend, due to a perfectly valid excuse like the Eastside Culture Crawl for example, fear not! The festival moves into high-gear the weekend of November 23-25, with more than a dozen events to take in.
A generous mix of spoken word performances, poetry readings, songwriting workshops, improv music and a special program of Japanese literature and arts has been lovingly assembled for your pleasure.
Want to hear Jack Kerouac & Grateful Dead biographer Dennis McNally read from “On the Road” and “Mexico City Blues” while accompanied by some outrageously tickled ivories courtesy Paul Primley? No problem. Hit the Haven Saturday the 24th and check out the wonders of lucid language from McNally and locals Kendrick James, Alison Humphries and Tim Lander, among others.
I would also suggest taking time out to experience the Blabbermouth Cafe - a tribute to the beat generation with Bill Miner, Andreas Kahre and Alex Varty - next Friday at the Surf Pub. Experimental music mixes with post-modern ranting over a pint at the pub - if you stay long enough the open-mic may just put you in the spotlight.
Of course this festival does way more than just follow the beat(en) path. Check out the full artist’s listings and plan that weekend away from it all.
Photo courtesy Bhlubarber from the meditative BR Flickr Pool
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