Ready, set, summer!

With Augusten Burroughs, Emily Giffin, and an invitation to join us for a soirée by the lake.

June is very happening down here by the water. For the final month of its 34th spectacular season, International Readings at Harbourfront (IRAH) serves up a mix of superlative authors, special events, and literary celebrations. We’ve got readings, of course, and interviews, and this month in addition to our usual fare we invite you to hobnob with the literati at one of two licensed events.

On June 11 IRAH toasts the authors shortlisted for the 21st Trillium Book Award. Attendance at this event is by invitation only, but we do a have a few to give away to our eNews subscribers – read on to find out how that could be you.

And if you aren’t able to join us for the Trillium, we hope to see you on June 27 to celebrate the Banff Centre’s 75th anniversary and to raise a glass to its literary legacy.

International Readings: June 2008

Readings begin at 7:30 pm
Brigantine Room, York Quay Centre
235 Queens Quay West, Toronto
Tickets $8 | FREE for members and students with valid ID
(unless otherwise noted)

Box Office + Info | 416.973.4000 | readings.org

Wednesday June 4

Augusten Burroughs, A Wolf at the Table
Jack Todd, Sun Going Down
David Wroblewski, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

Augusten Burroughs (U.S.A.) is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Running with Scissors, the memoir of an unconventional childhood that was a publishing phenomenon and spent more than four consecutive years on the New York Times bestseller list. He presents A Wolf at the Table, a heartbreaking and brilliantly written memoir of a childhood spent with an emotionally absent and psychologically cruel father.

Jack Todd (Canada), author of the Governor General’s Literary Award-nominated memoir The Taste of Metal, reads from his debut novel, Sun Going Down. Peopled by a vibrant, unforgettable cast of characters it follows the fortunes of Ebenezer Paint and his rough-and-tough descendants through civil war, the desperation of the dust bowl, and the prosperity of the roaring 1920s.

David Wroblewski (U.S.A.) grew up in rural Wisconsin, not far from the Chequamegon National Forest where his first novel, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, is set. This coming-of-age tale is a riveting family saga in the tradition of Hamlet, and an exploration of the deep and ancient alliance between man and dog. Stephen King said of the book: “I flat-out loved [it] …There’s never been a book quite like [it].”

Host: Richard Clewes (Canada) is an art director and copywriter, and the author of the memoir Finding Lily.

Wednesday June 11

Toast to the Trillium Book Award
A private party – but you may be invited …

In partnership with the Ontario Media Development Corporation, IRAH hosts a party in honour of the authors shortlisted for the 21st Trillium Book Award – the province’s leading award for literature. Rub shoulders with this year’s shortlisted authors and swap gossip with those in the know about who are the hot favourites to scoop this year’s awards. Held on the eve of the winners’ announcement, this event features brief readings by the authors in the running for this year’s honours in both the English and French categories.

Shortlisted authors include Gil Adamson, Barbara Gowdy, Dennis Lee, Emily Schultz, Michel Dallaire, Richard Poulin and Christian Milat.

Attendance at Toast to the Trillium Book Award is by invitation only, BUT we have some tickets available for our eNews subscribers. One winner will receive a pair of tickets to the event, plus a complete set of the books shortlisted for the English- language Trillium Book Award. A further four winners will each receive a pair of tickets to the event.

Send your answer to the following question to readings@harbourfrontcentre.com and write “Trillium” in the subject line. Closing date June 4.

A provincial symbol of Ontario, the Trillium is:
            a) a flowering plant
            b) a two-four of beer
            c) a weekend in cottage country

Tuesday June 17

Emily Giffin, Love the One You’re With

Bring the book club!

Emily Giffin (U.S.A.), author of the New York Times bestselling Something Borrowed, Something Blue and Baby Proof, presents her new novel, Love the One You’re With. The story of one woman at the crossroads of true love and real life, it is a tale of lost loves and found fortunes that will resonate with anyone who has ever wondered about the one that got away.

Emily Giffin reads from Love the One You’re With and is interviewed by Siri Agrell, a reporter for the Globe and Mail and the author of Bad Bridesmaid: Bachelorette Brawls and Taffeta Tantrums.

Friday June 27

A Rocky Mountain High: A Literary Celebration

Join us to celebrate the Banff Centre’s 75th anniversary and to honour its outstanding contribution to the art and excellence of the written word. This party also marks the closing night of IRAH’s 34th season of readings at Harbourfront Centre.

At this literary soirée by the lake, indulge in a beverage at the bar, mingle with booklovers, industry types and writers, and enjoy moments with Banff alumni and special guests including Barry Dempster, Greg Hollingshead, Jay Ingram, Marni Jackson, Lisa Moore, and Karen Solie. This is a licensed event, and admission is FREE. We hope you can join us for a last literary hurrah of the season!

Our literary celebration is part of A Rocky Mountain High: The Banff Centre, June 27–29, one of this year’s World Routes festivals at Harbourfront Centre, which is presented by Banff Lake Louise Tourism.

Lakeside Terrace, York Quay Centre
235 Queens Quay West
7:00 – 9:00 pm
FREE

Wondering why we leave you IRAH-less through the summer?

While you’re hopefully enjoying a more private kind of reading kicked back in your Muskoka chair, IRAH will be busy putting the polish on its fall extravaganza.

Bookmark the dates for the 29^th annual International Festival of Authors: October 22 – November 1, 2008.

And stay tuned for tidbits of IFOA info as Canada’s biggest and best literary festival takes shape!

Find out about literary events hosted by The Walrus, IRAH’s newest sponsor and Canada’s Magazine of the Year.

IRAH Info

For more information, visit readings.org

Questions? Comments? E-mail us at readings@harbourfrontcentre.com

Media inquiries? Contact Becky Toyne or Lindsay Gulin at irahmedia@harbourfrontcentre.com

BECOME AN
IRAH MEMBER!

Regular Membership
Becoming a member of International Readings at Harbourfront (IRAH) offers the opportunity to hear the world's best authors of contemporary fiction, poetry and biography all year round. Valid for 12 months, members receive the following privileges:

– Free admission to regular weekly readings

– Discounts on tickets to special event readings

– A minimum discount of 10% for all ticketed events at our festivals

A one-year Regular Membership is only $53.00, two years $90 (includes GST).

Patron Membership
IRAH members who would like to be more involved in IRAH programmes may wish to consider becoming a Patron Member.

Annual Patron membership is $500.

Please call 416.973.4760 for more information on Memberships.

IRAH welcomes your support in maintaining the calibre of talent it brings to you.

All donations $50 and over are automatically issued a tax receipt.

Call 416.973.4760 for more information about Donating Today.

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IRAH VOLUNTEER!

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Please email us or call 416.973.4760 to find out about Volunteering.

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