The concerns for climate have not gone away even with the greater emphasis on oil and gas, mining, coal, and other extractive industries.
Downstage Theatre is hosting Dreaming Climate Conciousness on Oct 23 & 24 at Motel Theatre at the Werkland Centre to explore topics related to climate through the work of four playwrights, and four actors.
Evan Medd is the the program creator. With his interest in science fiction, this is an exploration of the connection to activism related to climate.
“I had always wanted to find a way to incorporate my lifelong love for science fiction into my theatre work,” says Medd. “Part of what’s thrilling about this kind of process is that the world-building phase will be deeply collaborative"
The playwrights are Cristhian Poblete Hernandez, Miranda Martini, Camille Pavlenko, and Ashay Vardya.
Newcomer actors Snizhana Bora and Raffin Minas will take part along with local established actors, Valerie Planche and Chris Clare.
This is a collaboration between Downstage Theatre and the Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation.
It is the first day of October. That means it is spooky season again and I picked out my TBR for the month.
The Haunting of Hill House will be the first book of the month. Just because I have to read it for book club. At the start of each month, I fully intend to read the book for the month, but things get hectic, and I don’t actually get to the book. After skipping the last few months of book club, it would be good to see the gang again.
I have read Shirley Jackson before. It was for a couple of English courses that I took. They were short stories. I have not read longer works such as The Haunting of Hill House.
When studying English literature, there are usually sections on American literature, and particularly Southern Gothic literature. I still try to read them now and again.
The last one was probably, As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner, which was for the same book club. I would like to read the Sound and the Fury next, but haven’t gotten around to reading it yet.
I was also thinking of getting a collection of writing by Flannery O’Connor, but haven’t yet either. With some books it is enough to see them on a bookshelf at the store. I can’t read everything and still get regular sleep.
ABOUT ME
JKStar88 Reader is an active community organizer, radio host, avid reader, and self-published poet. Interests include pop culture, current events, literature, and food. Enjoys visiting local book stores, cafes, going to live theatre, and movies. Things to work on are being more social at gatherings, and being a better friend.
RECENT READ
Bunny by Mona Awad had its original release, then it regained life when the book made the rounds on BookTok. It is unclear how some books gain the attention of online micro-vloggers, and how others don't. There must be something widely appealing to a story about a poor kid getting into an MFA program.
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A breakfast of rice roll, congee, and milk tea. With a street food style, the items are simple, and takes care to prepare. The eatery recently renovated so that it can serve savory foods, along with desserts. It would be ideal to linger a bit longer, but only had time to eat everything, then rush to catch the train. There will be another time to try the other flavours.
A week into October, and I am settling into the Halloween season The leaves have changed colour and fall to the ground with the crisp autumn wind. I am sitting at my desk as I type this, and am getting into the fall vibes with the ghost and pumpkin figurines beside me. With the decorations, I also have a few books to read for fall.
Here are the books from my TBR:
1. The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien
2. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
3. You Will Never Be Me by Jesse Q. Sutanto
4. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
5. The Librarianist by Patrick deWitt
6. One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
7. The Huntress by Kate Quinn
8. Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong
9. Long Island by Colm Toibin
10. Road Trip Rwanda by Will Ferguson
You Will Never Be Me is the next book on my list to read by Jesse Q. Sutanto. This is look at the world of influencers, the competition and jealousy that can exist. Meredith taught Aspen what she knows, but somehow Aspen is getting invites, and Meredith is not. Meredith is on a mission, and she is not above a little stalking...
Earlier in the year, I read I’m Not Done With You Yet, a chess game between two best friends in college who become rivals a few years later when one friend seems to be getting the attention and sales, while the other is struggling as a mid-lister.
I also have the first in the Vera Wong series, a cozy mystery series by the author, but I missed the window to read it during the summer. There will be a new book in the spring of 2027, so it won’t be too long that I will again follow the adventures of the Chinatown shopkeeper who also solves mysteries.
Sutanto is also releasing two new titles in November. An Edge Sharp Enough will be the debut dark fantasy for the author. It is the first of duology that follows four characters - an assassin, a scholar, a conman, and a guard. Mara has no recollection of her past before being an assassin.
Just thinking about future book releases puts a bit of pressure to hurry up and read so I can get to the next one.