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When I heard that Neil Sarkan had been named Nanaimo’s new poet laureate, I knew I had to try and talk with him about what he hopes to do in the position and what it means for the city. What I didn’t expect was how open and authentic he was with me during an interview in his office. 

Neil talked with me about how he, like myself and so many others, is a relatively recent newcomer to the city. Even though he’s now been living here for three years, he is still working on finding his place in the community and sees his new position as a way to engage with the city, and the people in it, through poetry.  

You can read some of the highlights from our wide-ranging conversation below. 

Q&A: Nanaimo’s poet laureate Neil Surkan on the radical act of reflection

Surkan explains how Nanaimo’s outdoors inform his poetry and his goal as the new poet laureate for 2024-2026.

In photos: Ladysmith Light Up 2024

From a Star Wars-themed Christmas sweater to vintage tractors and firetrucks, here’s what you may have missed at Ladysmith’s Light Up Parade.

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🔎 Watch for 🔍

Wednesday, Dec. 4, 3:30 p.m.: Sarah Lovegrove, registered nurse and vice president of the Harm Reduction Nurses Association, will speak about the colonial and racialized root causes and disproportionate impacts of the toxic drug crisis. Using an equity-oriented lens, this discussion will also provide a critical overview of the increasingly politicized response to this ongoing and worsening public health emergency. The talk will take place at Vancouver Island University (VIU) in building 200, room 203.  File photo by Mick Sweetman / CHLY 101.7FM.

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

Let us know by sending Mick an email.

🎵 Listen 🎤

Friday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m.: Claire Coupland will play an intimate indie-folk house show at 421 Milton Street. Tickets cost $25. 

Friday, Dec. 6, 8 p.m.: Leeroy Stagger will bring his brand of alt-country to The Vault Cafe. Tickets cost $20. 

Friday, Dec. 6, 8 p.m.: Big John Bates, Death Hawk and Tides Will Turn will play at The Terminal Bar.

Saturday, Dec. 7, 5 p.m.: A bevy of bands including Sirreal, the Shindigs and Blacktop Social will play Kind of a Big Deal Fest at The Terminal Bar as a benefit to support harm reduction and honour those lost too soon. Tickets cost $25 in advance or $30 at the door.

Saturday, Dec. 7, 7 p.m.: YEGG, Scalding, Altered Dead and Butcher will play a metal show at The Globe Live Studio. Tickets cost $17. 

Saturday, Dec. 7, 9 p.m.: Jazz night hosted by Alex Coleman at The Vault Cafe. Tickets cost $15.

Sunday, Dec. 8, 3 p.m.:  JUNO award-winning pianist David Braid will play with tenor saxophonist Mike Allen at the Phoenix Auditorium at The Haven, 240 Davis Road, Gabriola Island. Tickets cost $30.

🎭 View 🖼️

Thursday, Dec. 5 to Dec. 7: Theatre One presents The 39 Steps, a fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theatre, at VIU’s Malaspina Theatre. Tickets cost $35.

Friday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m.: Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s production of Nutcracker will grace the stage at the Port Theatre for three days this weekend, including a matinee on Sunday afternoon. Tickets cost $75 or $40 for students. 

⛹️ Meet 🎲

Wednesday, Dec. 4, 3:30 p.m.: Sarah Lovegrove, registered nurse and vice president of the Harm Reduction Nurses Association, will speak about the colonial and racialized root causes of the toxic drug crisis at VIU in building 200, room 203.  

Thursday, Dec. 5, 4 p.m.: Local award-winning author Joelle Anthony presents another of her popular writing workshops for teen and adult writers with beginning to advanced skills at the Gabriola Island Library. Registration required. 

Thursday, Dec. 5, 6 p.m.: Nanaimo’s new poet laureate Neil Surkan, youth poet laureate Paige Pierce and friends will read festive poems at the Harbourfront Library.

Thursday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m.: Portal Magazine’s Portfolio reading series will feature author Amy Mattes reading from her book Late September with students Lee Groen, Tammi Caro and Liz Baltzer at The Vault Cafe. Admission is free. 

Thursday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m.: Come meet creative entrepreneurs in Nanaimo at the Creative Entrepreneur Speed Networking meet-up at Chapel Street Hall. Tickets are $15.

Friday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m.: A vigil for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women will be held at VIU’s Malaspina Theatre before moving to the Jardin des Quatorze, which is a memorial garden erected to honour the victims of the École Polytechnique massacre. This event is hosted in partnership with VIUSU and VIUFA’s Women and Gender Equity committee.

🎄 Holiday markets 🧑‍🎄

Friday, Dec. 6 to Sunday, Dec. 8: The Nanaimo Art Gallery will have an expanded selection of handmade items by local artists available at their gallery store’s Winter Weekend Holiday Market.

Saturday, Dec. 7, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.: The Merry Little Christmas on the Farm market and Walk of Lights at Arbutus Meadows includes local vendors, live music and delicious food. 

Saturday, Dec. 7 and 8: The Holiday Bazaar will take place in Cedar Community Hall from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free. 

See you around town,

— Mick and The Discourse team

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