Former NAC chair Jean Therese Riley, Mario Bernardi first conductor and second music director of the NAC, Sarah Jennings, current President and CEO Peter Herrndorft

Last night we celebrated Art and Politics: the History of the National Arts Centre by Sarah Jennings. This book is vitally important because we have a very short history memory in Canada. The NAC celebrates it’s 40th year this Tuesday, June 2nd. Much of that early history would have been lost except for Sarah’s diligence in recording , taping and talking to the founders.  Art and Politics came to life last night when many of the key supporters, the people that Sarah wrote about, came to celebrate. The very people that have devoted their lives to keeping the performing arts alive in Canada.

David Silcox, current president and CEO of Sotheby's Canada; Nona MacDonald Heaslip, Sarah Jennings, Walter Bowen

 

 

 

 

A truly distinguished gathering. However the impact on everyone associated with the book was best exemplified by Gillian Watts from Word Watch who prepared the index for the book who said it was thrilling to watch the index come alive.

We also celebrated Trails and Tribulations: Confessions of a Wilderness Pathfinder by Hap Wilson. Hap is a legendary guide in Temagami who now works out of Lake Rosseau. This was a different audience to the Art and Politics launch but similar in their passion and commitment to what they believe in.  This launch was held at MEC where we were all surrounded by the trappings of Hap’s profession. Hap told us of the joys and troubles of guiding and what he as learned over the years. The book and the event included his art work and those of  his partner Ingrid who also illustrated the book. From fighting off moose, handling crazy paddlers and dealing with GPS reliant customers Hap has done it all.

So it’s somewhat fitting that I spent the majority of the Twelve Trees book launch behind the bar. Let me explain in case you’re unfamilar with this mesmerizing stream of conscience novel from J.D. Carpenter. Twelve Trees is the story of ex-racetrack journalist Priam Harvey, previously seen in Carpenter’s Campbell Young Mysteries Bright’s Kill, and 74 Miles Away (which was just nominated for the 2008 ReLit Awards), sitting on a stool in McCully’s Tavern on the first anniversary of his firing from Sport of Kings magazine and the coincident departure of his girlfriend Barbara betting the horses with the local bookie when events conspire to unseat him. The electric gathering of people – fellow Dundurn colleagues and Carpenter’s family, friends, and former students – raised their glasses in celebration of Carpenter’s debut literary novel, which the Quill & Quire compared to the writings of British author Dick Francis, on June 4th at Nicholas Hoare Books. Below are some photos taken during the launch.

Nicholas Hoare Books closed their store for us – Thanks, Chris!

Family and friends celebrate a job well done.

J.D. signing books.

Director of Sales & Marketing Margaret Bryant, fellow Dundurn author Michael Blair, President & Publisher Kirk Howard

Mmmmm …. yummy food!

J.D. Carpenter and his wife Karen.

Web Marketer and fellow server Ehren Cheung talks blogging with Michael Blair.

Jane Gibson and VP of Sales & Marketing Beth Bruder.

J.D. Carpenter reads from Twelve Trees.