June 25, 2017 by Surrey Muse

Surrey Muse Program July-Nov 2017

July-Nov 2017 Program

July 28
Author Nefertiti SheLa Morrison
Poet Mohamad Kebbewar
Performer Ajay Bhardwaj
Open Mic Opener Malcolm van Delst
Host Mariam Zohra

August 25
Author Patricia A. Donahue
Poet Ghia Aweida
Performer Lilija Valis & Enrico Renz
Open Mic Opener Helga Parekh
Host Alex Macilwain

September 22
Author A New West Writer
Poet Wanda John-Kehewin
Performer Kat Wahama
Open Mic Opener Parabjot Kaur
Host Sonja Grgar

October 27
Author N.K. Johel
Poet Lozan Yamolky
Performer Sonja Grgar
Open Mic Opener Valerie Parks
Host Helga Parekh

November 24, 6th anniversary of Surrey Muse
Author Anthony Dalton
Poet Idrian Burgos
Performer Mariam Zohra
Open Mic Opener Joy Haskell
Host Fauzia Rafique

Updates to this program will be posted here
Program

Surrey Muse program is put together twice a year, in Nov/Dec for January-June session and in May/June for July-November session. Dates are blind-picked by participants themselves through an invitation. Participants are invited from a recommendations list that stays open throughout the year. Recommend authors, poets and performers to be featured at Surrey Muse. Use the email address below or try our (new) recommendations form:
surreymuse.wordpress.com/recommendations

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..

June 22, 2017 by Surrey Muse

Malik Mohamed – Surrey Muse

“I declare war on disease“

Malik Mohamed is a firebrand poet and performer who has (hand) written over 100 poems, and he remembers most by heart. He wrote his first poem at 16, about a street kid who commits a homicide in self defence, runs from authorities, and is eventually killed by SWAT officers. He has presented his poems and participated in peer critique at Surrey Muse Writers, and he has performed at Surrey Arts Centre, Surrey Night Market, Cafe Deux Soleils, to people outside, and to mother at home. At this time, he is working on his health and mind, and on music production; and in the winter, he plans to travel. Malik says:
“I declare war on disease“. Disease is more then Cancer, syphilis, diabetes etc… but is established from childhood as a “latent” sickness that goes undetected for through out much of a person’s life. My endeavor is to use my music to gain influence. I hope you see in my face and my actions the authenticity and truth of my beliefs.

At the June 23 gathering of Surrey Muse, Malik will begin the open mic session with his performance poetry. More information about the event is at the link below:
june-23-gathering-of-surrey-muse

June 18, 2017 by Surrey Muse

Lakshmi Gill – Surrey Muse

Lakshmi Gill is a poet and educator who has published extensively in Canadian and world literature. Her titles include ‘Returning the Empties’ (TSAR, Toronto 1998), ‘The Third Infinitive’ (TSAR, Toronto 1993), ‘Novena To St. Jude Thaddeus’ (Fiddlehead Press, Fredericton 1979), and ‘First Clearing’ (Estaniel Press, Manila 1972). She was one of the two women poets (along with Dorothy Livesay) who founded the League of Canadian Poets in 1966. Lakshmi has received numerous awards including First Prize in Poetry from Western Washington University in 1964 and Chancellor’s Prize in Education, B.Ed. Mt. Allison University in 1985. A Punjabi/Spanish-Filipina writer, Lakshmi lives in Delta BC, and she is a current member of The Writers’ Union of Canada.

More about Lakshmi
canlit.ca/canlit_authors/lakshmi-gill
Contact Lakshmi
lakshmigill@hotmail.com

At the June 23 gathering of Surrey Muse, Lakshmi will be our Featured Poet, and we are honored to have her. More about the event is below:
june-23-gathering-of-surrey-muse

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June 12, 2017 by Surrey Muse

Shehan Madawela – Painter

‘My work is inspired by my time in Africa and Sri Lanka, as well as by the light, textures and vibrant colors of India; it’s flora, fauna, the use and worship of stone and the concern for the environment.

‘Oils are my preferred medium, although sometimes I incorporate gold, silver and copper leaf in my paintings. These days I find myself working more with acrylic and water based paints. Being predominantly self-taught, I am free to experiment with different mediums and styles, though there is a common thread that runs through my paintings from series to series.’

Shehan Madawela’s art has been exhibited in Sri Lanka, India, England, New York, Malaysia, Switzerland, the Hague in Netherlands, and Bahrain. His work is in private collections in Sri Lanka and in other parts of the world.

Shehan was born and educated in Sri Lanka. He lived for four years in Australia, and eight in South Africa where he worked in various fields and ran a family business. But the world of business did not hold his interest for long, he returned to Sri Lanka and began to paint. Born into a family of artists, he had never given art ‘any serious thought until then‘.

As the creation of art took root in him, Shehan left for Kala Bhavan, the arts faculty at Shantiniketan in India, where he spent two years living and working. After, he moved to Bangalore and then Mysore. Hailing from a Buddhist Christian family, and having experienced some of the world, he flourished in India’s diverse and multi-cultural environment.

At present, Shehan lives and works in Sri Lanka.

Contact
smadawela@gmail.com
facebook.com/Shehan-madawela-paintings

Art by Shehan Madawela
Features on the
June 2017 poster
of Surrey Muse

This particular painting was chosen
by Art director Mariam Zohra
from the following four paintings

the prisoner of love
#2

the rice series
#3

vermilion summer
#4

Art Director was first drawn to #2 the prisoner of love;
but it could have offended Surrey Library’s
‘protect children from nudity’ ordinance.
She picked #3 the rice series
because it conveyed to her:
‘the stare of the three
the keepers of earth-blue
the stand of the three‘
A tough choice, indeed.
Thank you, Shehan Madawela, for letting us
feature this powerful painting on Surrey Muse poster.
..

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June 10, 2017 by Surrey Muse

June 23 Gathering of Surrey Muse

61st Gathering

Author Taryn Hubbard
Poet Lakshmi Gill
Performer Mariam Zohra
Open Mic Opener Malik Mohamed
BookSigning Author Heidi Greco
Host Sonja Grgar
Featured Art by Shehan Madawela

5:30 – 8:30 PM
Room 405 – City Centre branch
Surrey Public Library
Phone: (604) 598-7420
(Surrey Central skytrain)

Open Mic
Refreshments
Book Table
Free event
Donations welcome

Updates will be posted here
Program
More about the gatherings
Gatherings

NEW! Featured Art on Surrey Muse posters
Surrey Muse Art Director Mariam Zohra has begun
a new poster series to showcase work of guest artists.
This month, our poster features art by
Shehan Madawela

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May 24, 2017 by Surrey Muse

Sylvia Taylor – Surrey Muse

Sylvia Taylor is a writer, editor, and educator. She has published over 400 articles. Her first title The Fisher Queen: A Deckhand’s Tales of the BC Coast (Heritage House Publishing) was published in 2012, and now she’s launching this month another marine-themed non-fiction book, Beckoned by the Sea: Women at Work on the Cascadia Coast. Her prose and poetry have appeared in anthologies and magazines in Canada and the US, and her work was shortlisted for the CBC National Literary Awards. Sylvia worked as executive director and president of the Federation of BC Writers for thirteen years, she is a current director for the Arts Council of Surrey. She has edit-coached over 100 book manuscripts, and she consults with authors and entrepreneurs, and teaches writing & publishing-related skills.

Visit Sylvia’s web page
sylviataylor.ca
Contact Sylvia
words@sylviataylor.ca

At the May 26 gathering of Surrey Muse, Sylvia will be our BookSigning Author. More about the event is here: may-26-gathering-of-surrey-muse

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May 23, 2017 by Surrey Muse

Katheren Szabo – Surrey Muse

Katheren Szabo is a poet, arts activist and a vibrant community organizer. Her poems have been published in over 20 poetry chapbooks and theme based ezines including We Are Newton, Hands & Heart, Bulbs & Beauty. She is a co-founder of Cedar Bark Poets, a presentation group that meets every month; and, a regular contributor to Friends of the Grove and The Plot in Newton, Surrey. Katheren began writing poetry as code, at 11 years of age, to keep her diary safe from her older siblings. ‘I have kept it all‘ she says, ‘and now have a large pile of dusty journals that hold my poetic life within. I am not a public poet and struggle to give voice to my words. We shall embark together on breaking the mute silence of my writing on May 26th at Surrey Muse Event. See you there!’