Project Adult Literacy Society (PALS) is launching an anthology of Asian Canadian fiction tonight at Audrey’s Book Store, a relatively rare occurrence in a series-driven publishing industry.
Local writer Marty Chan has contributed one of the short stories to Henry Chow and Other Stories with his work titled Driven, a fresh spin on urban legends of a couples’ tryst in lovers’ lane.
PALS is also hosting the event to announce Chan’s appointment as patron author to celebrate Asian Heritage Month. “It’s a nice celebration of Asian heritage, but it’s also a celebration of literacy. It is so important today where we rely on technology. More than ever we need to rely on literacy or we can’t cope in society,” says Chan.
The launch is at 7 p.m. Audrey’s is located at 10702 Jasper Ave.
One of the more exciting productions at Walterdale Playhouse is the new crop of playwrights that debut their one-acts from May 19 to 29.
This year, two St. Albert actors, David Johnston and Amanda Blair, star in Jim Herchak’s Kiss Within a Kiss. It’s the day before a show opens and a young never-been-kissed young woman is thrown into the cast as a replacement. She’s shy about kissing the lead actor and must square off with an unsympathetic stage manager.
In Andy Garland’s Sea of Green, former resident Judy McFerran stars in a political piece where a group of people live through a backlash of rigged elections in their city. It is based on the experiences of Iranian people living in Tehran during their last election.
And finally there is a staged reading of Uncle Robert’s Funeral, about a woman who finds herself in an awkward situation at a funeral parlour.
Showtime is at 8 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Walterdale is at 10322 – 83 Ave. Tickets: $12 to $16. Call 780-420-1757 or purchase online at www.tixonthesquare.ca.
What happens when an Anglophone and a francophone — neither of whom speaks the same language — end up yammering away at each other in a garage.
In the world premiere of Garage Alec, Michelle (Tracey Power), 25, is a successful fusion cuisine chef heading straight for the top. She lives in a stylish Calgary loft and always knows how to control a situation.
After travelling for five days to northern Quebec, her car bangs and stalls. About the only guy around is Alec (Brian Dooley), a grumpy 50-year-old mechanic who disdains success and its trappings.
He lives alone above his garage, has no neighbours and doesn’t want any. He’s not about to change his ways until Michelle comes knocking on his door. But first they have to overcome a language barrier filled with games and frustration.
Written by Power and translated by Dooley, it is a comedic examination of the language and political gaps in Canada and crosses barriers no one knew were there.
Garage Alec runs May 19 to 29 at the Timms Centre for the Arts, University of Alberta. Show times are 7:30 p.m. with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $18 to $25 and $10 on Monday. For tickets call 780-420-1757 or purchase online at www.tixonthesquare.ca.
