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I wasn’t planning to attend the book launch of Paul Watkins’ book, Soundin’ Canaan, last Friday but found myself at The Vault Cafe after work with some friends and was blown away by Watkins’ mixing of Afro-Canadian poets, jazz, hip-hop and soul music. 

Watkins was joined by VIU professors Sonnet L’Abbe and Neil Surkan, who is also Nanaimo's poet laureate.

“It was a night of sonic solidarity in honour of Black History Month,” Watkins wrote on his website after the event. 

The Vault Cafe was packed and fingers were snapping as Watkins captivated the audience with a 20-minute rapid-fire set of readings and poetry that blended music, prose and politics.

According to the event listing, Soundin’ Canaan “demonstrates how music in Black Canadian poetry is not solely aesthetic, but a form of social, ethical and political expression.”

You can see a short clip of his performance that I recorded on my phone here. 

Thank you for reading,

Mick Sweetman

🖊️ What you said ⌨️

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“Gives a broad look around town. Art, music and much more.”

— From our newsletter survey

🔎 Watch for🔎

Hereditary Likhts’amisyu (fireweed) Clan Chief Dt'sahyl (Adam Gagnon) will speak at Vancouver Island University about his activism opposing the Coastal GasLink Pipeline through Wet’suwet’en traditional territory on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 5:30 p.m. in building 356, room 109.

Got the inside scoop of an event you think should be shared? 

Let us know by sending Mick an email.

🎵 Listen 🎤

Thursday, Feb. 13, 7 p.m.: Nanaimo’s industrial night Beryllium Tea presents a Bloody Valentine dance party at The Globe Live Studio. Tickets cost $10.

Thursday, Feb. 13, 9 p.m.: Wind Harp, CYST and Kahame and Co. will play a night of experimental improv, ambient/drone, noise and beyond at The Vault Cafe. Tickets cost $10. 

Friday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m.: Shearing Pinx’s 20th anniversary show with Massirraytorr and Eye Labia at The Globe Live Studio. Tickets cost $10. 

Friday, Feb. 14, 8 p.m.: The Ashley Wey Trio will play at The Vault Cafe. Tickets cost $15.

Saturday, Feb. 15, 2 p.m.: Join Island Time Saxophone Quartet (and friends) for an engaging, entertaining and meaningful concert supporting ROAR refugee sponsorship at Brechin United Church. Tickets cost $25.

Saturday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m.: Dan Bandeira Parker and the Love Show play some romantic covers under the covers in the atrium at Pacific Gardens Cohousing Community. Admission by donation.  

Saturday, Feb. 15, 9 p.m.: Nanaimo's premier non-binary drag night TheyThemTheirs performs at The Vault Cafe. Tickets cost $20. 

Saturday, Feb. 15, 9 p.m.: Moon Groove and Odd Sum will play a dreamy Valentine’s party at The Terminal Bar. Tickets cost $10. 

Saturday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m.: Boosh, Fanfare and Dead Old Birds will play at the Globe Live Studio. Tickets cost $15 in advance or $20 at the door.

Saturday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m.: Five-piece femme-powered hip-hop / R&B group Naduh will perform at The Queen’s. Tickets cost $20 in advance or $25 at the door. 

Sunday, Feb. 16, 2 p.m.: Join Tenor Ken Lavigne and the VanCity Harmony chorus for a dazzling musical journey through film history at Knox United Church in Parksville. Tickets cost $40.

🎭 View 🖼️

Thursday, Feb. 13-16, 7 p.m.: The play Yaga by Kat Sandler will run at The OV Arts Centre until Feb. 16. Tickets cost $28. 

Friday, Feb. 14, noon: A lunchtime tour of the exhibit Trust Fall is led by a Nanaimo Art Gallery facilitator every Friday at noon through the run of the exhibition. 

Friday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m.: Make some unique Valentine’s Day prints at the Nanaimo Art Gallery. Tickets cost $50. 

Sunday, Feb. 16, 2 p.m.: Dads! The Musical starts its three-week run at The Bailey Studio. Tickets cost $26. 

⛹️ Meet 🎲

Wednesday, Feb. 12, 5:30 p.m.: Hereditary Likhts’amisyu (fireweed) Clan Chief Dt'sahyl (Adam Gagnon) will speak at Vancouver Island University about his activism opposing the Coastal GasLink Pipeline through Wet’suwet’en traditional territory. The talk will take place in Building 356 in room 109. 

Thursday, Feb. 13, 10 a.m.:  Activists who were on the recent Peace Train to Ottawa will speak at the Harbourfront Library. 

Thursday, Feb. 13, 5:30 p.m.: Stz’uminus and Penelakut Knowledge Keeper Patrick Aleck Jr. returns to Nanaimo Harbourfront library branch to lead a free drop-in drum circle.

Thursday, Feb. 13, 7 p.m.: Aimee Greenaway, curator at the Nanaimo Museum and managing editor of British Columbia History, will speak about the role of women in the Great Vancouver Island Coal Miners’ Strike of 1912-14 at the Bowen Park Complex in activity room one. Admission is free. 

Friday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m.: The Nanaimo Clippers will play the Powell River Kings at Frank Crane Arena. Tickets cost $20. 

Saturday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m.: The Nanaimo Clippers will play the Prince George Spruce Kings at Frank Crane Arena. Tickets cost $20. 

Saturday, Feb. 15, 7:15 p.m.: The VIU Hockey Club will play the SFU Red Leafs at the Nanaimo Ice Centre. Tickets cost $10 or $5 for students. 

Sunday, Feb. 16, 9 a.m.: Start your Sunday with a full pancake breakfast in support of the 205 Collishaw Air Cadets at 808 Thunderbird Wing (719 Nanaimo Lakes Rd.).

Sunday, Feb. 16, 1 p.m.: Celebrate the art of Africa with Tania Amaral at The Nanaimo Art Gallery. Hailing from Mozambique, Tania Amaral is a passionate dancer, teacher, and cultural activist. She aims to share the richness and diversity of African culture through her art. Admission is free.

See you around town,

— Mick and The Discourse team

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