NHT! Blog October 2009

Here at NHT! headquarters we’re always looking for ways to make writing fun. 
I still remember one of the songs we used to sing at Halloween -- way back in grade one! It went: "Bats when they fly go squeak"  (which would be followed by making a blown-up balloon squeak). As much of a child’s song as that is, someone still had to write it! If they can write that, you can write something too. I don't think I have to go out on much of a limb to say it will be better than that!

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Proving that our Writers-in-Residence are truly committed to promoting creativity in the community of Toronto, Desi Di Nardo (currently in residence at Loretto College) has announced that she'll be co-hosting a poetry event along with Canada's Poet Laureate, Pierre DesRuisseaux!
 
Taking place on Sunday, November 8, 2009 at 7 PM at The Annex Live (296 Brunswick Ave) this event will feature readings by Pierre DesRuisseaux, Max Layton, Armand Garnet Ruffo and Toronto's brand new Poet Laureate, Dionne Brand. 

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Did you ever wonder where we come up with the names for our student publications? Where the deeper meaning behind naming something lies?

Today, we're going to let you in on a secret: in this instance, there is no deeper meaning. None. Only a language game of our own devising ...

After some deliberation, The Armadillo was chosen by the program as the title of our very first publication because it was rare and exotic, and also because we found a really cool image to attach to the cover design. From there it was further decided that we would name each new publication after a different 4-syllable animal, and ascend alphabetically from A-Z. Pretty clever, right? So we get: The Armadillo, The Barracuda, The Capybara, The Dromedary the E... well, we’ve admittedly hit at big of a snag at 'E' ... though we still have a few years to solve that!

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NOW HEAR THIS! is lucky to have our offices in a pretty interesting building. Pictured to the left is the architecturally beautiful George Brown House in downtown Toronto. Located at 50 Baldwin Street, this house is known to be an architectural labour of love. Crystal chandeliers, marble and ebony fireplaces, intricate flooring and mahogany paneling distinguish this mansion. The house was built for Senator George Brown - a father of Confederation and founder of The Globe newspaper (later to become The Globe and Mail). 
 

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HEAR/HEAR #4 is only one week away, and in case you're a little fuzzy on just how great this reading series is, we present some lovely audio clips from the most recent installment of HEAR/HEAR. Listen to some of our excellent Writers-in-Residence -- including Andrew Daley, Colin Frizzell, Rebecca Rosenblum and Mariko Tamaki -- read from their own work at The Free Times Cafe during HEAR/HEAR #3 last August. 
 
To listen check out: hear-hear.mypodcast.com
 

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Putting pen to paper doesn’t always mean words come out the other end. Illustration takes centre stage in cartoonist Marc Ngui’s brand new e-zine.
 

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It seems to be that time of year for literary arts festivals. One such festival to look out for is the International Festival of Authors which runs October 21st - 31st at the Harbourfront Centre in downtown Toronto. Not only does this festival feature some of the biggest Canadian heavyweights (as far as writing is concerned), but it also includes our very own Lisa Foad. Last year's S.W.A.T. writer-in-residence from Blessed Mother Teresa, Lisa Foad will be participating in a round table discussion at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 25th in the Studio Theatre (235 Queen's Quay West, Toronto) and a reading at 8 p.m. on Friday, October 30th (also in the Studio Theatre). 
 

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At the 2009 Word on the Street festival, those who signed up for our mailing list were automatically entered into a draw to win one of four books by our talented S.W.A.T. authors!  And the WINNERS are: * drumroll *
 

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Yes, you heard right! This year, for the first time ever, in addition to our usual winter sessions, there is going to be a fall S.W.A.T. program. Running at Loretto College, the fall S.W.A.T. program begins on October 16 and will feature poet Desi Di Nardo working with students to beta-test our amazing new web tool — a kind of intra-net environment that participating students can use to develop a sense of collaboration and community during the residency. Desi will be working with three classes teaching the normal 10-week S.W.A.T. workshop, with the added benefits of the use of the web tool.

The web-tool allows students to post their work in a fully contained environment where their peers can comment, discuss and help each other with constructive criticism and praise. It also allows for media to be posted to the website to encourage and foster discussion prior to the classroom period. The students have the added benefit of extending the in-class time and also the bonus of being able to work in a familiar environment. Students and youth are spending more and more time on the internet, and it’s important that NHT! caters to the students needs.

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