Litfest Fringe

So you're not going to the KL Litfest (KLILF 2007) because you're working and feel a bit sick about missing events you enjoy? Or maybe you can't afford the registration?

The good news is that some of the biggest names will be appearing in other venues around town and events are either free or at minimal cost! Yipeee!

British performance poet Benjamin Zephaniah will be appearing at Central Market Annexe on Friday March 30th at 8.30p.m.in a performance jointly presented by British Council, Ricecooker and Bau-Bau Café featuring Wayang Kadbod by the kids from Projek Kampung Seni, local street poet Rahmat Haron and music by Tenderfist and Kuchalana. Admission RM10 at the door, no reservations necessary. This promises to be one of the most exciting live literature events of the year. Don't miss it.

Here's more about Zephaniah from the British Council website:

Born in 1958 in Birmingham and raised in Jamaica and Handsworth, the young Benjamin left school at the age of 14. By the time he was 15, he had developed a strong home town following as a young poet who was capable of speaking on local and international issues.

He published his first book Pen Rhythm at age 22, though it was through performance that Benjamin earned a name for himself. His second collection of poetry, The Dread Affair: Collected Poems (1985) contained a number of poems attacking the British legal system; Rasta Time in Palestine (1990), an account of a visit to the Palestinian occupied territories, contained poetry and travelogue; Too Black, Too Strong (2001) was inspired by his tenure as Poet in Residence at the chambers of London barrister Michael Mansfield QC and by his attendance at both the inquiry into the 'Bloody Sunday' shootings and the inquiry into the death of Ricky Reel, an Asian student found dead in the Thames. His poetry collections include books for children: Talking Turkeys (1994) and Funky Chickens (1996), andnovels for teenagers: Face (1999), described by the author as a story of 'facial discrimination'; Refugee Boy (2001), the story of a young boy, Alem, fleeing the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea; and Gangsta Rap (2004).

He has been Writer in Residence at the Africa Arts Collective in Liverpool and Creative Artist in Residence at Cambridge University; has received numerous honorary doctorates for his work in literature, and in 1998, was appointed to the National Advisory Committee on Creative and Cultural Education to advise on the place of music and art in the National Curriculum. He has written plays for radio, TV and the stage, and includes several music recordings in his repertoire.

Canadian author Camilla Gibb (left) is going to be appearing at Kinokuniya bookstore in KLCC at 7.30 on the 30th, and also at MPH Mid Valley Megamall, KL 2-3p.m. on 1st April.

Our own Tash Aw, author of the award-winning The Harmony Silk Factory, will be appearing at the Book Cafe in MPH, 1 Utama at 8pm on Wednesday 28th March.

On Thursday 29th, he will be at Borders in Berjaya Times Square (Jalan Imbi, KL) from 4pm to 5pm, and at MPH in Bangsar Village II (Bangsar Baru, KL) from 6pm to 7pm. Later at MPH Mid Valley Megamall, KL, from 8pm to 9pm, there will be a book-signing session with the author. More details in todays Star Two. (But oh - ouch ouch ouch - how I wish they'd drop his price tag off the headlines!)

And then, of course, we've got Chris Mooney-Singh and the Word Forward poets at Seksan's on Saturday afternoon. Not only is the event itself free, but we also have lovely free wine courtesy of our sponsor La Bodega. Now how can you resist!

Update:

Sharanya tells me that on Sunday April 1st at 9pm at No Black Tie there will be poetry by Cyril Wong (S'pore), Bernice Chauly, Jerome Kugan and Sharanya herself. Entry RM15. (Click poster to enlarge.)