Love and Anniversaries...

The season 2 launch was wonderfully successful. It was the largest 'house session' turnout we've ever had, and some of that had to do with a great Coast article written by Veronica Simmonds.
We're stepping up the game this month. This is a big one -

It's the 1st year ANNIVERARY of the Series!
It's the launch of the 2nd ANNIVERSAY of the literary journal OPEN HEART FORGERY!
It's arguably the most talented group of people I've ever assembled for one show (Ben Stephenson, Matt Robinson, Winona Linn, Ben Gallagher, Jess Driscoll, Kimberley Cressman and music from Julia Feltham and Catholic Gaydar!

...And it's all happening next Wednesday at The Company House!

EVERYTHING WILL BE OK...

This is it!
The second season will launch:
Wednesday, January 25th @ 6395 North Street (8:00pm)
Literary readings from:

Andrew Patterson
Dereck Thibault
Josh Tibbetts

Plus, a screening of Don Hertzfeldt's wonderful short film "Everything will be OK"

Links and Links to Links...

Here are some links to published works from some of the authors who participated in Season 1...

ANDREW HOOD:
http://www.joylandmagazine.com/stories/montreal_atlantic/i%E2%80%99m_sorry_and_thank_you

http://www.thecoast.ca/halifax/dont-come-in-here/Content?oid=2808994

BEN STEPHENSON:
http://www.thecoast.ca/halifax/holiday-fiction-more-importent-things/Content?oid=2081512

http://oncetherelivedaboy.blogspot.com/

KELSEY MCLAREN:
http://www.thecoast.ca/halifax/holiday-fiction-the-happiest-day-of-your-life/Content?oid=2081515

BEN GALLAGHER:
http://breadandpoetry.wordpress.com/author/bengallagher/

CHRIS BENJAMIN:
http://www.chrisbenjaminwriting.com/chris-benjamin-writing-blog/tag/fiction

NICOLE DIXON:
http://nicoledixon.ca/Writing.html

SUE GOYETTE:
http://www.writers.ns.ca/Writers/g/goyettesusan.html

MATT ROBINSON:
http://mattrobinsonpoet.wordpress.com/

CAROL BRUNEAU:
http://carolbruneau.com/

REMEMBERER (YORODEO, JENNER-BROOKE BERGER)
Stories from GEORDIE MILLER, LAURA DAWE, ANDREW HOOD, and JOSH TIBBETTS:
http://invisiblepublishing.com/rememberer/

JENNER-BROOKE BERGER:
http://jennerberger.com/

*I will be posting downloadable MP3 copies of every episode from Season 1 over the weekend.
Happy Holidays!

Lilah Kemp 2.0

It's still going to be called Lilah Kemp.
It's still going to be a reading series that migrates from venue to venue each month.
It's still going to be awesome.

Season Two will launch next month and each episode will have a specific theme and title. The season will be split into two parts, and will consist of eight episodes.
The first four will run from January - April 2012.
Here are the themes and titles:

SEASON 2.0

EPISODE 1: EVERYTHING WILL BE OK

January wants hopefulness.
Stories and poems about overcoming obstacles and surviving tragedies. Characters that don't give up when everything in their life turns to shit. People who find ways to stay optimistic in a pessimistic world. Stories with happy endings...or endings that at least hint toward a happy ending.
This episode will also feature a screening of the Don Hertzfeldt short film "Everything will be O.K."
There are 4 spots open for literary readings.


EPISODE 2: THEORETICAL LOVE IS NOT DEAD

February wants romance.
Stories and poems about whatever you think love might be. Scenes with wet kisses in the rain. Images of romantic trips to rocky shores or lazy days together in bed. Couples who are deeply in love but just can't make it work. Stories of heartache and rejection are also welcome.
This episode will also feature musical performances.
There are 4 spots open for literary readings.


EPISODE 3: WOCKA WOCKA!

March wants laughter.
This episode will feature funny poems, essays, blogs, letters, or short stories. There will also be two sketch comedy performances.
There are 3 spots open for literary readings.


EPISODE 4: WICKED AND WEIRD

April wants crazy.
Stories about bad behavior or surreal experiences. Tales of pill-popping freaks or tortured creeps. Horror/thriller stories are very welcome here, or stories that are just plain fucked-up.
This episode will also feature a performance from a play.
There are 4 spots open for literary readings.


The titles and themes of the last four episodes will be announced over the coming months. The second half of the season will run from August - November 2012.
If you would like to participate in the first half of season two, please choose a theme and contact me through this blog or through Facebook.

This is going to kick ass.

-Corey Mombourquette (founder/curator)

Last and Next...

Lilah Kemp found a new home last month on Ontario street. Because July was such a concert and festival filled month, it was difficult to organize but everything came together nicely and the evening went smoothly. Carol Bruneau, Kathryn Bjornson, Carsten Knox, and Cory Lavender all gave great readings, and my friend Matt Packman returned to the series to play more songs under the name of CATHOLIC GAYDAR. You can listen to it here:
http://web.me.com/cmombourquette/Site/Podcast/Entries/2011/7/27_lilah_kemp_6.html

I am happy to announce that L.K. will return to BelleAire Terrace this month for another outdoor session.
Readings from:
Sue Goyette
Jane Marshall
Anna Quon
Andrew Hood
Chris Benjamin
...and a musical performance from the very talented Willie Stratton.

Wednesday, August 24th (8-11pm)
2706 Belleaire Terrace (North end Halifax)
B.Y.O.B. (and bring something to sit on!)

First Day of Summer...

That's more like it.
Not only did I have a very talented group of people participate last Wednesday - I had a turnout. A great turnout. And everyone seemed to have a wonderful time. We set up shop outside and took in some stories, songs and poems under the warm sun, cozy beside a crackling campfire. Jenner, Ben, Geordie, and Guyaume were the entertainers of the evening, and my sister Amanda shared a few poems written long ago that have never left her notebook. It's difficult to describe how nice it feels to attend one of these things but if you'd like an idea, listen to the podcast here:

http://web.me.com/cmombourquette/Site/Podcast/Entries/2011/6/23_Lilah_Kemp_5.html

Because this is an outdoor recording, there are a few added touches to each reading (such as ambulance sirens and barking dogs) but luckily these city sounds didn't seem to interrupt or distract anyone too much. The calm night went smoothly, and I am very proud of everyone.
Next month's date isn't confirmed yet but I already have a lot of great writers/performers who are interested. Can't wait!
-Corey Mombourquette (founder/curator)

Also - The podcasts from each session are now listed on the sidebar. Just click the month and you will be taken directly to the podcast. Listen. They're good!

Best Episode Ever!

Last month was probably the best collection of readings we've had so far. Each reader bounced off one another really well and the evening took on an accidental theme of Romance. You can listen to it here:

http://web.me.com/cmombourquette/Site/Podcast/Entries/2011/6/16_Lilah_Kemp_May_2011.html

The next Lilah Kemp will be happening at 2706 Bellaire Terrace (North end Halifax) on Wednesday, June 22nd  (8:00pm-11:00pm)
It will feature literary readings from:

Jenner-Brooke Berger
Geordie Miller
Ben Stephenson
...and also a musical performance from Guyaume Boulianne

Hope to see you there!
-Corey Mombourquette (founder/curator)
c.m.mombourquette@gmail.com