TORONTO
Monday April 8, 7:40pm, Trampoline Hall, The Garrison, 1197 Dundas West, $6
In this latest edition of Trampoline Hall, curators Amy Lam and Jon McCurley have selected Broken Pencil book reviewer John Bell to speak on “The Zen of Queen Street” and Katia de Peña will speak about living in a haunted house, along with a third yet-to-be determined speaker. Come listen to smart people talk about random topics.
Wednesday April 10, 7pm, Descant’s “The Hidden City” Launch, The Handlebar, 159 Augusta Ave, free
Launching Descant’s spring issue with readings by Jim Nason, Sarah Pinder, Kilby Smith-McGregor and more. Great raffle prizes and hors d’oeuvres. 7 pm. Free. The Handlebar, 159 Augusta Ave.,Toronto. Learn more at descant.ca.
It’s a three-title book launch, hooo-weee! Natalee Caple brings her take on Calamity Jane with In Calamity’s Wake, Ailsa Kay will launch her Hungarian diasporic debut novel Under Budapest, and Jonathan Ball visits from Winnipeg to unsheathe his Manitoba Book Award shortlisted poetry collection, The Politics of Knives.
Dragnet Magazine is printing an anthology of the best work from the past two years. To celebrate they’re throwing a party with bands, books and art for sale, including works by our own designer Ian Sullivan Cant and our own associate fiction editor A.G. Pasquella!
XXX is a collection of artists’ zines by queer artists in Canada and beyond. April brings two great launch events – the Toronto edition and another launch next week in Winnipeg. Artists in attendance at the Toronto launch: Dennis Day, Micah Lexier, Ho Tam, Gene Threndyle & Andrew Zealley. Learn more at xxxzines.com.
Saturday April 13, 9pm, The Simpson Family Variety Hour, El Mocambo, 464 Spadina, $35/$25/$15
The Simpson Family Smile Time Variety Hour is a one-night only tribute to all things Springfieldianite. The night will feature Simpsons trivia, a Simpsons-themed burlesque show starring Maison Derriere’s nerdy burlesque dancers, and from New York City comes We Put the Spring in Springfield: The Music of the Simpsons. Yep, it’s a four-piece cabaret performing a medley of all your favorite Simpsons tunes. Wooopwoopwoopwoopwoopwoop!
Saturday April 13, 10pm, Toronto Queer Slowdance, Dovercourt House, 805 Dovercourt Rd, $10
With a lending library of designated dancers for all you wallflowers, and a dancecard-booklet to set up dances in advance (should you choose to), Queer Slowdance Night has all slow songs, all night long. Plus a basement chillout lounge and this installment features a photo booth with a delightful sunset backdrop.
LONDON
We’re sponsoring the Pride Library’s launch of their exhaustive and decidedly rad collection of queer comix, zines, flyers and other graphic ephemera. Come to the launch or go check out the gorgeous display anytime. There will be free issues of Broken Pencil for your perusal!
MONTREAL
The Co-op Bookstore hosts Aziz Choudry, editor of “Learning from the Ground Up: Global Perspectives on Social Movements and Knowledge Production”.
The mighty Alison Bechdel (Dykes to Watch Out For, Fun Home, the Bechdel test ahem!) will talk about her creative process and her latest book Are You My Mother? in a visual presentation.