The Robson Reading Series presents poet Al Hunter at the UBC First Nations Longhouse (1985 West Mall) on Wednesday, March 6, at 6:30 p.m. for a reading from his latest book of poetry, Beautiful Razor: Love Poems and Other Lies. Hunter is an Anishinaabe writer who has published poetry in books and journals around the world, taught extensively, and performed internationally, including at the International Poetry Festival of Medellin. Admission is free and books will be available for purchase and signing. More information is at http://www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
Al Hunter At 5th Annual Battle of the Bards on April 3, 2013.
Al will be 1 of 20 writers invited from across Canada to read at Toronto Harbourfront Centre in the 5th Annual Battle of the Bards on April 3, 2013.
Click above for information and tickets
From the Chronicle Journal
Rainy River First Nations poet releases 3rd book
Karen McKinley
Monday, March 11, 2013 – 08:45
Author Al Hunter signs a copy of his new book, Beautiful Razor: Love Poems and Other Lies, for Fay Zoccole following Saturday’s launch in Thunder Bay. (Sandi Krasowski)
There are some topics everyone can relate to and many gravitate to a medium to find a connection or soothe painful emotions.
Fans of author Al Hunter packed Chapters on Saturday to celebrate his new book of poems, Beautiful Razor: Love Poems and Other Lies.
Hunter entertained his fans with readings from his third book, accompanied by live music performed by J.C. Wilkinson.
Hunter signed copies of Beautiful Razor and previously published books.
He said this is the third unveiling of Beautiful Razor. The earlier two were in Duluth and Vancouver.
He said it is a collection of poems he has written over the last five years and all have a common theme.
“There’s poems about loss, longing, redemption, faith, all those things,” the Rainy River First Nations author said in an interview.
“The inspiration is that everybody has had the common experience of having heartbreak, of difficult times in our lives. I look at the process of creating this book . . . as another pathway to healing.”
He said he often has musicians accompany him because poetry and music are related.
Hunter has been writing for 45 years, and had his first poem published when he was 10 years old.
Being a writer, he said, is a blessing and a curse, because he’s always had a passion to express himself through the written word. Much of that inspiration has come from bad experiences, but he said it’s all part of life and he knows many more people will relate to his experiences and perhaps find comfort in knowing someone else has had a similar experience.
“Many of these poems come from a place of darkness . . . from life,” he said.
“The impetus is a creative energy that I have and needs to be released, and for me, it’s through writing and poetry.”
As the crowd gathered, he said it was great to see so many people appreciate his work, and the art of poetry and song. He said the best way to enjoy poems is to hear them spoken publicly.
Hunter’s other books are The Recklessness of Love: Bawajiganan Gaye Ni-Maanedam (Dreams and Regrets) and Spirit Horses.
Hunter is also an activist for indigenous rights and wellness, and environmental responsibility.
Al, Interviewed on the CBC Today
Superior Morning | Mar 8, 2013 | 6:56
Poet Al Hunter
Beautiful Razor: Love Poems and Other Lies. It’s the latest book of poetry from Al Hunter of Rainy River First Nations.
click here for audio
From Thunderbay’s Net News Ledger
Beautiful Razor is the third poetry book by Al Hunter
THUNDER BAY – Arts – Beautiful Razor is the third poetry book written byAl Hunter, the former Rainy River First Nations Chief. In Beautiful Razor, Hunter explores the span between the sensual and the profane; the distance of which can sometimes be vast or on the razor’s edge.
Beautiful Razor
Rainy River First Nations author, Al Hunter will be sharing the release of his newest book of poetry, Beautiful Razor: love poems and other lies.
Along with musician JC Wilkinson in Thunder Bay at Chapters Saturday March 9th starting at 2PM.
“What lies here are the vagaries of a heart wounded, shattered, and redeemed by love. Such generosity of spirit deserves acclaim. A bravura work.” – Richard Wagamese, author of Indian Horse
Hunter will share a reading from his book, followed by a book signing and reception. Guests will have an opportunity to meet the Hunter.
In addition to being an accomplished Anishinaabe writer, teacher and spoken word performer, Al Hunter has gained recognition for his environmental and educational work.
During the summer of 2000, Hunter and others led “A Walk to Remember”; walking for 1200 miles around Lake Superior “to bring forth community visions of protecting the air, land and water for the Seven Generations yet to come.”
Hunter’s work appeared most recently in This is an Honour Song: Twenty Years Since the Blockades; W’daub Awe: Speaking True; and McGraw-Hill Ryerson’s iLit: Stories of Struggle and Strength from First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in Canada. Hunter is the author of three books of poetry including Spirit Horses, The Recklessness of Love and Beautiful Razor: love poems & other lies.
All are published by Kegedonce Press. The Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts have helped support the work by Hunter and other artists.
– See more at: http://www.netnewsledger.com/2013/02/28/beautiful-razor-is-the-third-poetry-book-by-al-hunter/#sthash.3Q70RJyb.dpuf
From My Minnesota Blog
Sunday, February 17, 2013
… a good life
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| © harrington |
Thanks for stopping by. Today’s post is a rave, not a rant. I hope that doesn’t disappoint you. I know you can’t quite read it, but the street sign in the center of today’s photo reads “Second Street.” The large building behind the street sign you can’t read is the American Indian Community Housing Organization’s Gimaajii Mino-Bimaadiziyaan (an Ojibwe phrase that means, “Together we are beginning a good life.”) supportive housing conversion of the old Duluth YWCA. In addition to supportive housing, an American Indian Center is part of the development effort. On March 2, AICHO will be hosting a book launch event for Al Hunter’s “Beautiful Razor” at Trepanier Hall, 212 W 2nd Street, right next door to Gimaajii Mino Bimaadiziiwin building. Louise Erdrich, writes, ‘Al Hunter’s poems are healing songs for the earth and the human spirit. For the sake of the moon, for the sake of our hearts, I am glad that he is writing.”
According to the invitation I received, the event is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase during the book signing and reception.
Doors open at 6:00 PM
Performance: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Book signing/Reception: 8:00 PM – 9:00 PMGuest musicians will include:
Kathy McTavish, Cello
Michael “Waabi” Furo, Pedal Steel
Larissa Desrosier, Guitar, Vocals
Jake Vainio, Electric & Acoustic Guitars, PianoEvent contact: Nicole at 218-722-7225
[Full disclosure: I was involved in the redevelopment of the YWCA to the GMB. Those of you who stop by with any regularity know I’m partial to Duluth and the liveliness and quality of Duluth’s writing and artistic realms. My favorite independent bookstore used to be Northern Lights Books in Canal Park. They had one of the few regional poetry sections I’ve ever come across (are you listening Common Good Books and Subtext?). That’s where I discovered Al Hunter’s second book of poetry The Recklessness of Love Bawajiganan gaye Ni-maanedam. I bought it, read it. I too am glad Al Hunter is writing.]
From the Vancouver Sun, March 6th
Poet Al Hunter to read at longhouse
February 19, 2013. 2:39 pm • Section: Books
Posted by:Tracy Sherlock
Double Trouble this April in the Peg
Mark your Calendars, Wednesday Apr 10 2013 7:00 pm, Winnipeg, Grant Park in the Atrium
Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair & Al Hunter
Spring Readings
Spring schedule for readings
It’s shaping up like this:
.
Sat, March 2nd: Duluth MN
Duluth Venue:
Trepanier Hall, 212 W 2nd Street, Duluth MN
Doors open: 6 PM
Performance: 7-8 PM
Book signing/Reception: 8-9 PM
more info to come
.
Wed March 6th: Vancouver BC
The Robson Reading Series
at the First Nations Longhouse
Wednesday, March 6, 2013, 6:30pm
.
Sat March 9th: Thunder Bay ON
April 2013: Winnipeg MB TBA
Stay tuned for more details.
http://www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca/al-hunter/
The Robson Reading Series Presents
AL HUNTER
at the First Nations Longhouse
Wednesday, March 6, 2013, 6:30pm
Black Coffee Poet
with the intention to read, check out the Black Coffee Poet’s discussion about Beautiful Razor, starting about 6:21 – 7:26. And that is a cigarette AL is smoking.
Great Review of Al’s New Book
Click the link below to read the review of Al’s New Book at the
“Writing is a healing process, if we let it be that. Writing through it — meaning through our pain, our own heartache, our own growth. If we let it be that, it’s ultimately a healing thing.”
alhunterwords 