Edward Kay

Had the pleasure of reading to a very receptive audience at the Rivoli the night before last. It was my first public reading of STAR Academy, so wasn’t sure what to expect. But any concerns I had about how well a kids’ book would fare amidst a lineup that included rappers, performance artists, and experimental films were quickly laid to rest by the warm and attentive response. Always gratifying when you can make people both laugh and gasp with horror in the same reading – especially when it’s in all the right places, and not because your fly is down and you’ve got visible flop sweat. Amongst the other performers, I particularly enjoyed discovering a singer/songwriter who goes by the professional moniker of Jenny Omnichord (the surname inspired by her instrument, which calls to mind an autoharp redesigned for a Japanese sci-fi flick minus anything anatomically inspired). Anyone who can pull off writing a love song between a living human being and a skeleton and make it Tim Burton-esquely charming instead of creepy has my vote. Also had an enjoyable chat with Peter Lynch, who directed Project Grizzly, the documentary about Troy Hurtubuise and his quest to build a suit that would allow him to survive an encounter with Grizzly bears. They should make that an official sport at the next winter Olympics. Speaking of which, my only regret is that performing that night meant missing the Canadian men’s Olympic hockey team wallop the Russians 7-3. Dang! But such are the sacrifices we make for art…

Am working on dates for readings at Chapters Indigo during the March break. Deets to come.

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