Press-Release: 17th Annual Junction Arts Festival - Become a Member of the "BookThug Nation", September 12 and 13, 2009

Screenshot: Junction Arts Festival - Weaving Mosaics - September 9 to 13, 2009

Dundas West Street Closure - Saturday, September 12 & Sunday, September 13, 2009
Credit: junctionartsfest.com

MEDIA INFORMATION - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Please retain for literary listings

17th ANNUAL JUNCTION ARTS FESTIVAL:

They'll shout it from the rooftops, they'll stop you in the street; authors, poets, writers and readers challenge you to become a member of the "BookThug Nation", September 12 and 13

Toronto, ON, August 26, 2009 - The Junction Arts Festival (September 9 - 13, 2009) presents a mosaic of unique visual, dance, musical and literary arts, and independent Junction publisher BookThug seeks new recruits for its literary nation; writers and readers share and recite their work in unexpected and unusual ways (daily throughout the weekend street closure, Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13 between 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.).

BookThug founder Jay MillAr states, "It's easy to be a citizen of the 'BookThug Nation': just be curious! We at BookThug are aware that our books are not for just anybody. So why not become somebody? Poetry, visual literature, conceptual literature, translation, the lyric, critical texts and fiction; each one is distinctly BookThug."

During the weekend only, BookThug (2009 Junction Arts Festival literary sponsor) is looking for new citizens to join the "BookThug Nation". Over 20 authors, poets, writers and readers present their work from many angles.
They broadcast it from rooftops, perform it in the street, interrupt everyday conversations and challenge festival attendees to consider poetry and literature as part of their lives.

The "BookThug Nation" presents three literary street components:

• Roaming Readers: Poetry read to you one on one by the author or by a BookThug youth.
• Battling Bards: Look up, look way up. Poets battle it out (call and response style) with megaphones from rooftops and window sills.
• Resting Readers: For traditionalists, there are four readings a day by various BookThug writers; on the back patio of the Troubadour bar (3071 Dundas St. W.). Schedule, TBA.

Authors on Saturday (alphabetical order):

• Amanda Earl
• Angela Carr
• Gili Haimovich and Meagan English
• Greg Betts and Gary Barwin
• Margaret Christakosv
• Marianne Apostolides
• Melissa Ma
• Sistah Lois
• Steven Zultanski

Authors on Sunday (alphabetical order):

• Adam Seelig
• Daniel F. Bradleyv
• Gili Haimovich & Meagan English
• Jay MillAr
• Jenny Sampirisi
• Mark Truscott
• Shannon Bramer
• Stephen Cain
• The Amorphus BookThug Readers

PLEASE NOTE: All artist biography information is available at
www.junctionartsfest.com.

Attracting 200,000 visitors in 2008, the Junction Arts Festival (produced by the Junction Forum for Art and Culture) takes place along Dundas Street West between Keele Street and Quebec Avenue, and features five free days of artistry and innovation; Visual Art Exhibits (September 9 to 13), Live Music Concerts (September 11 and 12), and during the weekend - Street Performance Artists, Literary Artists, KidZone, Green Village and Artisan/Vendor Market (September 12 and 13).

BookThug is an independent literary publisher, founded by Jay MillAr, that operates out of Toronto's west end. For more information go to: www.bookthug.ca.

The 17th annual Junction Arts Festival is generously supported by title sponsor the Junction Business Improvement Area, the Toronto Arts Council and the active involvement from Junction area businesses and residents.

The Junction Forum for Art and Culture (JFAC) is a non-profit arts presenting organization and its main project is the annual Junction Arts Festival. The JFAC Board of Directors, chaired by Councillor Bill Saundercook, consists of dedicated cultural producers, artists, residents, business owners and politicians, all of whom are based in the Junction.

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For media information, interviews and photos please contact:
Laurie Lockhart,
Publicist; 2009 Junction Arts Festival
GET THE MESSAGE Publicity
Tel: 416-988-2530 / E-mail: gtmessage@sympatico.ca
Website: www.junctionartsfest.com

For general and information, please contact:
2009 Junction Arts Festival office
Tel: 416-767-5036 / E-mail: junctionartsfest@bellnet.ca
Website: www.junctionartsfest.com
Councillor Bill Saundercook (Ward 13, City of Toronto), JFAC Chair

links:
Toronto Tourism News: 18/08: JUNCTION ARTS FESTIVAL
Junction Arts Festival Blog: Information on the festival as it is created WEAVING MOSAICS
The Arts Junction: Press-Release: The 2009 Junction Arts Festival Sends out Call to Artists
The Arts Junction: Press-Release: 2009 Junction Arts Festival: Weaving Mosaics! - Toronto’s one-of-a-kind arts fest takes over Dundas West, September 9 to 13
The Arts Junction: Press-Release: Junction Arts Festival - Weaving Mosaics: A Creative Adventure of Vast Proportions; September 9 to 13, 2009
The Arts Junction: Press-Release: The Junction Arts Festival - Justin Rutledge concert, with Jason Collett & The Beauties, September 12, 2009
The Arts Junction: Press-Release: The Junction Arts Festival - Street Performance Artists are everywhere and they're sizzling hot! - September 12 and 13
The Arts Junction: Press-Release: The new "Red Hot Art Spots" AND visual artists light the 2009 Junction Arts Festival on fire - September 9-13, 2009
The Arts Junction: Press-Release: 2009 Junction Arts Festival: Mr. Something Something headlines Friday concert "event", with special guest openers The Framework and graffiti artists Art Fuzion; September 11
The Arts Junction: Press-Release: 17th Annual Junction Arts Festival - Become a Member of the "BookThug Nation", September 12 and 13, 2009