Powell River residents will have a rare opportunity to hear two of Canada’s most sought-after speakers on Sunday, July 17. Naomi Klein and Avi Lewis will join local political commentator Murray Dobbin for an on-stage conversation at Evergreen Theatre in support of Powell River’s community radio station, CJMP 90.1 FM.
In combining the appearance of two keynote speakers into one event, CJMP has enlisted the help of some serious star power. Klein is a world-renowned author, best known for her book No Logo: Taking Aim at the Brand Bullies, a critical analysis of corporate branding and globalization. She is also a regular columnist for The Guardian, a reporter for Rolling Stone and a contributing editor for Harper’s Magazine. Lewis is a former public affairs host on CBC television and most recently the host of Fault Lines on Al Jazeera English. As a filmmaker, he is best known for The Take, an award-winning documentary following the rising of worker-run businesses in Argentina.
Husband and wife, Klein and Lewis live in Toronto and maintain a summer home in Halfmoon Bay. When Dobbin, a member of CJMP’s fundraising committee, approached them several months ago about the possibility of speaking at the event, they happily agreed to make a trip further up the Sunshine Coast. “I tossed them a request and hoped for the best,” said Dobbin. “They agreed to do it, which is great.”
Dobbin said the event’s format would be slightly different than a typical speaking engagement. “It’s being billed as a conversation,” he said. “Basically, the three of us are going to be on stage and engaged in conversation about various things.”
Klein and Lewis will discuss mainly national politics, although Dobbin said the conversation will also focus on their most recent research in climate change and the petroleum industry, democracy, the media and other subjects. Time will be available for audience members to ask their own questions as well.
A meet and greet will take place at 12:30 pm at the west entrance of Powell River Recreation Complex. Attendees will move inside to the theatre at 1:30 pm for the conversation, which will begin at 2 pm. MLA Nicholas Simons will be in attendance as emcee.
Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door and are available at CMG Printing, Breakwater Books, River City Coffee and online at the CJMP website, www.cjmp.ca.
