These events are from the
science fiction & fantasy calendar I run. If you have an event that's not listed, email me (jessica.strider@gmail.com) and I'll put it on the calendar and add it here. While I try to get the details correct, always check the links to confirm event information. I'll be updating this post as I learn of more events.
Wednesday 11The Chiaroscuro Reading Series: Featuring Violette Malan, Douglas Smith and Shari Lapeña Where: Augusta House (152A Augusta Avenue, Toronto)
When: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Join us to welcome in the new year with a trio of stellar authors...Violette Malan has a PhD from York University in 18th-Century English Literature, but reports that most people don't hold it against her. She started reading fantasy and science fiction at the age of eight, and was writing stories not long after. Violette has been a book reviewer, and has written feature articles on genre writing and literature for the Kingston Whig Standard. She has taught creative writing, English as a second language, Spanish, beginner's French, and choreography for strippers. On occasion she's worked as an administrative assistant, and a carpenter's helper. Her most unusual job was translating letters between lovers, one of whom spoke only English, the other only Spanish.
Douglas Smith is an award-winning Canadian author of speculative fiction (fantasy, SF, horror, supernatural, and the ever popular "undefinable"), with over a hundred story sales in two dozen languages around the world, including InterZone, Amazing Stories, Cicada, Baen's Universe, Weird Tales, The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror, Postscripts, On Spec, and The Third Alternative (now Black Static, as well as anthologies from Penguin, DAW, and others.
Shari Lapeña worked as a lawyer and as an English teacher before turning to writing fiction. She is a graduate of The Humber School for Writers, where her mentor was David Adams Richards. Her first novel, Things Go Flying, was shortlisted for the 2009 Sunburst Award. She won the Globe and Mail’s Great Toronto Literary Project contest, and was shortlisted for the 2006 CBC Literary Awards. Her second novel, Happiness Economics, was published in September, 2011. She lives in Toronto and is currently at work on her third novel.
Wednesday 12 1. Toronto Library Talk:
Robert J. Sawyer interviews William GibsonWhere: Toronto Public Library (Toronto Reference Library)
When: Thursday, January 12, 2012 (doors open at 6:00 p.m. / interview at 7:00 p.m.)
(SOLD OUT)
2. Toronto Libarary Talk:
Black Holes are like Kinder Surprises and Other Short Stories from the Universe Where:
Gerrard/AshdaleWhen: 7:00 p.m. -
8:00 p.m.This program has been postponed and rescheduled to Thursday January 12th at 7 p.m.
Hear stories of the Big Bang, dark matter, dark energy,
extra-dimensions, parallel universes, quantum computers, and more. Join us as we host the very engaging Johannes Hirn from the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Toronto.
Sunday 15Space-Time Continuum SFF Discussion GroupWhere: Bakka Phoenix Books, 84 Harbord Street
When: 1 pm
Topic:
The Year's Best Science Fiction : Twenty-Sixth Annual Collection (2009) edited by Gardner Dozois
Wednesday 18Toronto Library Talk:
Black Holes are like Kinder Surprises and other Short Stories from the Universe Where: Don Mills Auditorium
When: 7:00 p.m. -
8:00 p.m.Stories of the Big Bang, dark matter, dark energy, extra-dimensions, parallel universes, quantum computers and much more! Join us for a lively talk with the engaging Johannes Hirn from the University of Toronto's Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics.
Saturday 21Book Launch for Alyxandra Harvey's BRIAR ROSE
Where: Bakka-Phoenix Books (84 Harbord St)
When: 3pm
[I got this event from Lloyd Penney's email event list. It's not listed on the Bakka-Phoenix site, so call for confirmation: 416-963-9993]
Durham Improv presents an original interactive dinner theatre production, 'Space Trek',
Where: Jester's Court (279 Queen St.)
When: 6:30 PM
Space Trek, an homage to Star Trek, is an interactive dinner theatre production. "It has the feel of the Tim Allen movie Galaxy Quest," explains writer/director Stephanie Herrera in a press release. "Our show is set at amini sci-fi convention where the actors from an 80's TV show are spending time with their fans in Port Perry. This interaction with the audience is comprised of dinner with the stars as well as a Q and A and autograph session. Throughout the night, the characters start revealing their true personalities as their walls come down, with hilarious comical chaos. This mini convention will be complete with a merchandise table, an overzealous host and sci-fi groupies." "Everyone in the cast just loves the whole sci-fi genre, we are fascinated by the people who immerse themselves in the culture and above all, we love improvising with a live audience," she adds. "It's a show for people who love Star Trek and even for people who hate it, there's something for everyone."
Thursday 26oronto Library Talk:
Robert A. Douglas Where: Palmerston Branch
7:00 p.m. -
8:15 p.m.In "That Line of Darkness: The Shadow of Dracula and the Great War", Robert A. Douglas talks about how the current appeal of the Gothic is rooted in the late nineteenth century.
Saturday 28
Where: ? [I was notified of this event via Lloyd Penney's email list, no location was mentioned and I couldn't find details for the event on the KAG site]
When: Time: 5:00pm until 11:00pm
Cost: detailed below
As usual, the menu will be heavy on the Klingon food, with an eye towards items that can actually be eaten by humans. The incredible qIjtoQ will be in command of the kitchen this year, so those of you who were at the KAG party at SFContario know how good it's going to be!To cover the cost of the food, we will be charging admission.
There will be a graduated entrance fee:
$10 for costumed KAG members (if you are a member of KAG, and you wear what you usually wear for Klingon events)
$12 for other costumed fan groups (if you are a member of a group such as the 501st, SFI, SG16, or TSS, and dress appropriately, or in club shirts for those whose armor makes it hard to sit or eat)
$15 for non costumed fans (everyone else; if you have a costume but are not part of one of the clubs I named, contact me privately beforehand)
In addition to the food and drink, there will be several entertainments,including an interclub trivia challenge, filk singing, and more!
Durham Improv presents an original interactive dinner theatre production, 'Space Trek',
Where: Jester's Court (279 Queen St.)
When: 6:30 PM
Space Trek, an homage to Star Trek, is an interactive dinner theatre production. "It has the feel of the Tim Allen movie Galaxy Quest," explains writer/director Stephanie Herrera in a press release. "Our show is set at amini sci-fi convention where the actors from an 80's TV show are spending time with their fans in Port Perry. This interaction with the audience is comprised of dinner with the stars as well as a Q and A and autograph session. Throughout the night, the characters start revealing their true personalities as their walls come down, with hilarious comical chaos. This mini convention will be complete with a merchandise table, an overzealous host and sci-fi groupies." "Everyone in the cast just loves the whole sci-fi genre, we are fascinated by the people who immerse themselves in the culture and above all, we love improvising with a live audience," she adds. "It's a show for people who love Star Trek and even for people who hate it, there's something for everyone."
Monday 30Toronto Library Talk:
Professor David Klausner discusses the Canterbury Tales Where: Deer Park Program Room - 2nd Floor
When: 2:00 p.m.Join Professor Klausner of the Medieval Studies of U of T as he takes us on a medieval pilgrimage to Canterbury. Professor Klausner will use the original pilgrim stories to paint a portrait of the social, political and religious climate of the time. Register in person or at 416-393-7657.
