An Evening with Arthur Black and Friends is building into an event not to miss. Billed as a fundraiser and celebration hosted by Powell River Friends of the Library and Malaspina Art Society, music, art and humour will be in full supply on Thursday, September 26 at Max Cameron Theatre.
The Friends of the Library is a re-energized committee with a focus on raising funds for the library to help make it the best it can possibly be. From new books to earthquake-proof shelving, programs and services, the committee has a list of items on its wish list.
One of those committee members is Liane Arnstein. Liane and her husband Rob moved to town from Roberts Creek in 2007. They are both involved in the community and Liane is the event coordinator for the fundraising evening.
By looking at the demographics in Powell River, Liane thought Arthur would be an appealing entertainer. “There are a lot of people my age and older who are really fans of Arthur Black,” she said. She sent an email invitation. “He wrote back saying he would love to come. He is also a big fan of libraries.” It just so happens, his new book Fifty Shades of Black, was released this month.
The event has grown to include three local performers, award-winning slam poet Andrea Layne Black, spoken word artist Nola Poirier and musician and master of ceremonies Ben Bouchard. The three will share the stage for the first half of the evening.
Following the intermission, Arthur will take the stage.
Arthur is perhaps best known for his 19 years on CBC’s Radio One hosting Basic Black. Quirky stories filled homes across the nation every Saturday, and now those stories continue to fill bookshelves with the release of Arthur’s latest book published by Douglas & McIntyre.
“I am a big fan of libraries anywhere,” said Arthur. “As far as I am concerned, they are the most important civic building that we can build. It is a repository of knowledge we can access.”
Arthur recalls his first experience of libraries being an old truck, a book-mobile, driving around the small Ontario community where he grew up. “For me it was like an Aladdin’s cave. You went in the back door and saw all these books, perhaps no more than 400 or so, but to me it was a treasure trove. You got your books stamped and went out the front door.” Best of all, the books were all within reach, he said.
Arthur has travelled all over, partly through his CBC work and partly because “my life in general has been kind of gypsy-like.” However, he has yet to set foot in Powell River, which was another attraction for him to come to town.
He writes short stories, depicting everyday life from an often humorous, satirical aspect. The stories in his new book are roughly two pages long. Coffee shops in his home community of Salt Spring Island, are a favourite muse, with snippets of conversation causing a creativity with words.
He carries a notebook to capture his thoughts. “I think my thought process lends itself to two-and-a-half pages,” he said. “I can say what I have to say and then get out. It is more like a compulsion than a passion, and I have no choice.”
With Malaspina Art Society celebrating 25 years, the opening reception will include a silent auction for the artists. Twenty artists will be involved, and a film loop, created by Claudia Medina-Culos, will feature the artists and their work.
Tickets to the event are available at Breakwater Books and Coffee or at the door for $35. Doors open at 6:30 pm with the show beginning at 7:30 pm. Admission includes non-alcoholic beverages and appetizers. A cash bar will serve beer and wine. Arthur will be available to personalize copies of his book during the opening reception and intermission.
For more information about the event, readers can contact Liane at 604.483.2283.
