20 August 2008—Morden, Manitoba
Following the scheduled book-launch in Winnipeg on 6 October, the indefatigable poet will be regaling an audience the very next night in the town of Morden (a 90 minute drive SW of the city). The venue (arranged by local impresario Grace Warkentin, a well-known long-time Mordenite and also Sam W.’s able ‘agent’) is the Pembina Hills Arts Centre (in the town’s splendid old historic clock tower-turned-gallery). Come for 7:00 pm, take in the bard’s readings and some libations, get your book copy signed by the author, and enjoy an impressive juried collection of visual art to boot… did you know that Morden was honoured this year as a Cultural Capital of Canada?
18 August 2008—Winnipeg, Manitoba
Sam will be in Winnipeg on 6 October 2008 for an 8:00 pm book-launch and poetry reading at the Prairie Ink Restaurant in McNally Robinson’s flagship Grant Park bookstore (be sure to arrive early to get a seat). Gray Matter Graffitti is now also available through all of McNally Robinson Booksellers’ outlets (Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Calgary) as well as online through www.mcnallyrobinson.com
McNally Robinson is one of Canada’s largest independent bookstores, well-known for its support and promotion of Western Canadian authors. More information about the 6 October launch and reading in Winnipeg here.
30 July 2008—Steinbach, Manitoba
Sam W. Reimer’s book is now available at the Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach, (Sam’s birthplace) thanks to arrangements by historian Lawrence Klippenstein (Sam’s uncle). The museum site “brings to life the Mennonite way of life from the 16th century to present” and is comprised of 20 furnished buildings, including the museum proper which houses a significant collection of antiques and manuscripts. Spread over 40 acres (17 hectares), the Mennonite Heritage Village “takes visitors back in time to when villages like this were all across Southern Manitoba.” Learn more about the museum here… (they say “it’s worth the trip.”)
The functioning windmill on the museum site (photo: www.mysteinbach.ca).
28 July—Winnipeg, Canada
Folks in these (and other) parts are “girding their loins” in preparation for upcoming poetry readings and book-signings by Sam W. Reimer. To assist in the promotion of such events, a PDF poster (2.8 MB) and postcard (48 K) can now be down-loaded from this site for local reproduction (your neighbourhood printer or copy-shop can use these digital artwork files to run off the desired quantities). Blanks have been left to insert specific information re: the Location and Date/Time of the event (imprint or hand-letter them, as you feel led).
Download the PDF poster here. Download the PDF postcard here.
24 July—San Francisco, California
Folks in the Bay Area have been picking up Sam W.’s book at City Lights (much to the bard’s delight, and thanks to the seeding efforts of friend James), the landmark all-paperback general bookstore known internationally for its expert selection and for its commitment to free intellectual inquiry. Founded in 1953 by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Peter D. Martin, City Lights is one of the few truly great independent bookstores in the United States, a place where booklovers from across the country and around the world come to browse, read, and just soak in the ambiance of alternative culture’s only “Literary Landmark.” City Lights Publishers began with the Pocket Poets Series, through which Ferlinghetti aimed to create an international, dissident ferment—the world-famous store has now served for over half a century as a meeting place for writers, artists, and intellectuals. (If you visit City Lights, check out the Zapatista Mural covering the Kerouac Alley side of the store).
A prominent voice of the wide-open poetry movement that began in the 1950s, Lawrence Ferlinghetti (who Sam acknowledges in his book as a significant influence) has written poetry, translation, fiction, theater, art criticism, film narration, and essays. Often concerned with politics and social issues, Ferlinghetti’s poetry countered the literary elite’s definition of art and the artist’s role in the world. Though imbued with the commonplace, his poetry cannot be simply described as polemic or personal protest, for it stands on his craftsmanship, thematics, and grounding in tradition. Read more about Ferlinghetti here.
Images: The City Lights façade on Columbus Avenue, San Francisco featuring provocative banners by the SF Print Collective; Ferlinghetti’s painting Unfinished Flag of the United States.
10 July—Vancouver, British Columbia
These alley pics just in from Sam’s longtime friend Dan Schellenberg, who writes: “Though I have known him (Sam W.) for many years and have heard him recite his poetry from time to time, I never realized the greatness of his work until reading some of Gray Matter Graffitti… many years of hard work seem to be coming to fruition.” (Thanks, Dan).
8 July—Vancouver, British Columbia
It sounds like Sam will be hitting the road again later this month… (watch this site for details re: postings about upcoming poetry readings and book signings in the B.C. Interior, likely followed by a sortie to Manitoba…)
2 July—Vancouver, British Columbia
When Sam W. Reimer returned home to Vanvouver today he was met with a pleasant surprise… a hand-written kudo from no less than Libby Davies, Member of Parliament for Vancouver East (Libby is also the Deputy Leader of the NDP, the NDP Labour Critic, and the federal NDP Spokesperson for Drug Policy Reform, Solicitation Laws, and Infrastructure and Communities for the Greater Vancouver Area).
The card from Libby reads: “Gray Matter Graffitti… a very comprehensive body of work—Congratulations!”
28 June—McBride, British Columbia
Sam W. Reimer has spent the past week in and around the mountain community of Dunster, nestled in the Robson Valley (between the Rockies and the Cariboo Range of east-central B.C.). Highlights have included readings (from his new book of poems) at the local Pioneer Days event, and various gigs with brother Rod and his band (Rod is a mountain man, trapper, and tree-planter extraordinaire—along with his wife Deb they also breed Russell Terriers). The poet is available for readings at similar festivals across the country… look for announcements here in the future.
The bearded Reimer brothers at McBride Bar… thanks for the photos, Deb.
26 May 2008—Vancouver, British Columbia
Gray Matter Graffitti, the first published compendium of works by downtown-Eastside Vancouver gem-of-a poet Sam W. Reimer, had its unofficial launch here in Lotusland this weekend—replete with readings at the Ivanhoe Pub (where many of the works were penned over the past few decades) and memory-enriched visits to some of the significant sites cited in the book’s 200+ poems (parks, beaches, crime scenes, and edgy slum addresses). The weather cooperated (as did the poet’s rheumatoid arthritis, for the most part) and the handful of celebrants were blessed with magnificent sunshine.
Active marketing of the book will commence in June… watch for more launch information as the book rolls out over the next weeks and months…).
“Bard in bar” at the lower Ivanhoe; Sam W. and cousin Lois (also a Reimer) at the Granville Island Market.
