I’m excited that Margaret Christakos has invited me to participate in Influency 10: A Toronto Poetry Salon, a lecture-reading series at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Education.
It starts soon, so if you’re interested, click here to register through the University of Toronto School of Continuing Education.
Here’s the schedule:
April 6 opening evening (For MC and registrants)
April 13 rob mcclennan speaking on Camille Martin’s Sonnets
April 20 Daniel Scott Tysdal speaking on Larissa Lai’s Automaton Biographies
April 27 Larissa Lai speaking on Mark Truscott’s Nature
May 4 Mark Truscott on Daniel Scott Tysdal’s The Mourner’s Book of Albums
May 11 Camille Martin speaking on Kaie Kellough’s Maple Leaf Rag
May 18 Kaie Kellough speaking on rob mcclennan’s Wild Horses
May 25
A combined evening at a venue not on U of T campus, also open to public (for a door fee).
Rachel Zolf on Erin Moure’s Pillage Laud AND Erin Moure on Rachel Zolf’s Neighbour Procedure
No class June 1
June 8 Final potluck and Student Intertexts on Influency 9 authors and books (important! please attend!)
Classes are facilitated by Margaret Christakos.
Influency 10: A Toronto Poetry Salon
April 6- June 8 2011 (no class June 1)
Wednesday evenings, 7-9:30 pm (we begin promptly at 7:05 and make every effort to end by 9:30; some classes may extend to 10pm).
For readers and writers alike. A powerful way to reconnect with poetry, to build bridges into the contemporary poetry scene, and to deepen critical engagement with poetry. Many writers and literature buffs attend this course; the class is equally welcoming to people with a beginner’s level of experience with reading poetry. Adults from 18-1000 years welcome. Approximately half the registrants in any given session have taken previous sessions of the class; and each session we welcome newcomers. The course may count towards a certificate in creative writing, or be taken for pleasure. Registrants compose readerly critical responses to books weekly, and write a final “Intertext” reflecting on two or more of the books studied, for presentation. Registrants also take turns in small groups introducing guests and bringing along snacks and non-alcoholic beverages to produce a congenial social environment for each evening.
Influency: A Toronto Poetry Salon has run twice annually from Fall 2006. In each session, 8 accomplished poets working in distinctive styles will appear as both guest readers and peer critics in this unique lecture-reading series hosted by Margaret Christakos. Each poet’s critique of a colleague’s work will be followed with a reading by the poet under discussion. A group discussion led by Christakos will follow. Students will accumulate critical vocabulary to discuss more fluently the divergences of approach, motive, process and product typical of Toronto’s multitraditional literary culture. The 8-book package under discussion will be available in class for $130. Register a week prior to course beginning if possible to facilitate smooth running of a complex course! Note this spring’s session is 9 in-class meetings, with an extended evening on May 25 at an off-campus location.
The course has also spawned a fledgling online magazine called http://www.influencysalon.ca; please visit to see some of the essays and responses presented at some of our earlier classes.
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For more info and registration, click here to visit the website of the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies.
Location: Rm 108, St George Campus Health Sciences Building, University of Toronto (one block west of University, south side of College St. Queen’s Park subway station at College and University)
Course number 1777 – 010
Register at http://www.learn.utoronto.ca
University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies Creative Writing program. No prerequisite.
Course $249 plus $130 book fee (8 poetry books). Fee is paid at first class by personal cheque or cash.
Camille Martin
Rogue Embryo 