Ivan Coyote is a writer, a performer and a storyteller who has published six collections of short stories, a novel, three CDs and four short films. She returns to Powell River on Friday, April 20 for a weekend of presentations.
Coyote was born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory and her first love is live storytelling. She started performing in 1992 and in 1996 co-founded Taste This, a four-person performance with storytelling, live music and poetry. The book Boys Like Her was published by the foursome in 1998. Boys Like Her sold out three editions. It continues to be considered a notable work contributing to discussions about gender identity and sexuality.
Coyote has been to Powell River before. She performed in the annual Whoop-di-doo Evening of Storytelling for Adults in 2010 and 2009. Her biography describes Coyote as “good old-fashioned kitchen table stories.”
“Imagine you are drinking black tea with canned milk, and it is snowing outside,” reads the biography. “The kitchen smells like homemade soup and you don’t have to work tomorrow so you can sit up all night talking and smoking cigarettes. Or maybe it is a warm night in the middle of July and you are sitting on a wool blanket in the sand, resting your back against a big beached log. The lake is smooth as glass and there is plenty of wood for the campfire. Someone is talking, telling you a story.”
Jacquie Dawson, theatre and facilities manager at Max Cameron Theatre, said Coyote’s time in Powell River will spread over the weekend. On Friday, April 20, Coyote will take her educational bullying presentation to students in grades eight and nine followed by a question and answer session.
Saturday’s show will be a two-hour long adult show starting at 7:30 pm. Dawson said the past few shows have nearly been full, and this one is selling well too. “She’s riveting to watch. This is the third time she has graced our stage. We are delighted to have her back,” said Dawson. “The last two times local writers spoke for the first half of the show and she was a guest for the last half. This time it will be all Ivan Coyote, all evening.”
Friday’s special educational performance is at 12:45 pm at Max Cameron. Tickets for Saturday’s performance are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. They are available at Powell River Academy of Music box office, Breakwater Books and Coffee and at the door.
On Sunday, April 22, Coyote will present a storytelling workshop from 10 am to 1 pm at the Powell River Public Library. The workshop costs $20 and must be paid for in advance.
