8, Creative writing students keep Douglas tradition alive Pearls 30 launches this Friday Book Launch Friday, March 25, 2011, 7pm New Westminster campus 700 Royal Avenue Readings by _ Dana Bidnall By Cody Klyne, Arts Editor ith the launch of the anniversary edition of Douglas College’s Pearls creative writing anthology just around the corner—this Friday, March 25 at 7:00pm in room 4100 (studio theatre)— I was fortunate to have the chance to speak with contributing writer Reija Roberts. A graduating student of the Print Futures: Professional Writing program, Reija is one of a handful of readers for the evening. What’s the name of your piece and what class was it written for? Reija Roberts: The piece is called “Capturing Audrina.” It is a short piece of creative non-fiction. It was actually written for Personal Narrative, and the objective was to write something inspired by an artefact. In my case, I picked a photo of my childhood best friend. What was your inspiration? RR: The inspiration was the photo. And also: her. She was a big part of my life growing up. And for some reason, I kept the photo all these years. I figured there had to be some reason. 6 yansecnctnsepsensnranenen SSenaasenssesennexennsoaa! arls 3 An Anthology of Work by Douglas College Creative Writing Students Douglas College Studio Theatre, Room 4100 What was your reaction when you found out your piece had been chosen for Pearls 30? RR: I was very pleased. Rick Maddocks had put two of my stories from that class in for consideration, and they picked “Capturing Audrina.” I haven’t been published much, so it has certainly boosted my confidence. Was Pearls something that was on your radar already? RR: I confess, I knew about it and went into the class with it always in the back of my mind, which is good, because it was something to aim for. What’s one thing people have to look forward to at the reading? RR: I think that people should take advantage of any opportunity to hear authors reading their work live. It’s something that isn’t exactly popular these days. It is one thing to read words on a page, but it’s another thing entirely to include that auditory element. I really enjoy reading things aloud. Except it usually only happens alone or in front of my cat. I’m sure it’ll be a fun event. Also, I think there will be drinks and probably snacks too. Allow me to be frank... SIN-atra ain’t your grandma’s Sinatra Devin Townsend By Cody Klyne, Arts Editor hen I was a strapping young lad, I listened to Strapping Young Lad. While I’ve since fallen off the metal wagon, barring a few bands that I’ll never get out of my system, I can appreciate that the genre, the metal machine, has continued chugging along without me. The over the top vocals, head pounding double kick, and ridiculous stage shows; the people dressed up in latex with gigantic foam genitalia, these are some of the things that I miss and will never forget. Obviously not reflective of the genre as a whole—not everyone can be as cool as Oderus Urungus—a sense of humour, or lack of self seriousness, is what stands out to me now as I look back at my “metal heritage.” Not a stranger to expressing his quirky sense of humour through his music, onetime Strapping Young Lad lead and New Westminster native, Devin Townsend’s latest sees him covering Sinatra classic “New York, New York” as part of the fittingly titled “SIN-atra” metal cover album dropping later this month. Featuring covers of “It Was a Very Good Year” by Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider, “I’ve Got The World On A String” featuring Doug Pinnick of King’s X, “Fly Me to the Moon” by Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander, and more. If the few that I listed here are any indication for you, those involved in the project aren’t - exactly what you’d refer to as the spring chickens of the metal world (excluding aforementioned Townsend, who is always relevant,) but that shouldn’t turn you off! The ensemble album composed of 12covers of classic Sinatra tracks backed by the SIN-atra band, led by Bob Kulick (of Kiss studio fame,) hits store shelves March 29.