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.
