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Join us in-person to meet and listen to authors, illustrators, and performers from across Canada! Check back regularly to see additions to our 2024 lineup!
Emo is back, and there’s no question that Calgary’s Astrology Girl is part of that fact. Harkening back to the big tent era of the early 2000s, the band wretches and delights in over-the-top emotions set to bristling punk. A debut EP is set for summer 2024.
Justin A. Blum is Chair of the Drama Department at the University of Lethbridge, where he has taught dramaturgy, playwriting, and theatre history among other courses. His creative work as a translator, writer, dramaturg, and director has been seen at University and professional theatres throughout North America.
Finnian Burnett’s work explores the intersections of the human body, mental health, and gender identity. Their novella-in-flash, The Clothes Make the Man, shortlisted for the Bath novella-in-flash awards and was published by Ad Hoc Fiction. Their most recent collection, The Price of Cookies, is available through Off Topic Publishing. Finnian is a recipient of the Canada Council for the Arts grant, a finalist in the 2023 CBC nonfiction prize, and a 2024 Pushcart nominee. Finn is obsessed with the structure of flash fiction and believes absolutely anyone can write a flash fiction story by following the flash fiction roadmap.
When not writing or teaching, Finnian enjoys walking, Star Trek, and cat memes. Finn can be found at www.finnburnett.com
Kristen Ciccarelli grew up on a grape farm, dropped out of college, and worked various jobs before becoming an author. Some of her previous trades included: baker, potter, L’Arche assistant, and community bread oven coordinator. Kristen lives in Canada’s Niagara Peninsula with her husband and their book-obsessed toddler. She is also the author of Edgewood and the internationally bestselling Iskari series.
The Crimson Moth: Heartless Hunter
A. Cobell, Staa’tssipisstaakii, is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Nation. She currently lives in the Pacific Northwest, where she spends her time writing books, chasing her kids through the never-ending rain, and scouring the inlet beaches for sand dollars and hermit crabs. Looking for Smoke is her debut novel.
Looking for Smoke
GITZ CRAZYBOY “M.Ed” (he/him/his) is a Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot) and Dene father and Indigenous Educator from Mohkínsstsisi (Calgary). Gitz’s passion and purpose is helping, guiding, and most importantly, learning from the next generation, and he has held many positions within the youth education profession.
As an activist, Gitz is known for his leadership and participation in establishing the Bear Clan Patrol in Calgary, as well as organizing with the Idle No More movement. He has spent most of his life learning and living with different Indigenous Nations around the world. His travels have taken him to Germany, Ecuador, Guyana, Puerto Rico, and sacred spaces all over North America.
Currently Gitz resides in Calgary and is actively reconnecting with his Siksikaits-itapi roots. He believes the truth of who we are can be found in the beautiful things our ancestors carried—riddles, mysteries, ceremonies, songs, medicine, love, life, and laughter.
The Rez Doctor
Eric Dupont lives and works in Montreal. He is a past winner of the Prix des libraires, the Prix littéraire des collégiens, and Radio Canada’s “Combat des livres” (the equivalent of the CBC’s Canada Reads contest) as well as a finalist for the Governor General’s Award for Translation, the Scotiabank Giller Prize, the Prix littéraire France-Québec, and the Prix des cinq continents. One of the hallmarks of Eric’s writing is the juxtaposition of the supernatural and real worlds. The lighthearted tone of his work often belies undercurrents of deeper themes and meanings.
Rosa's Very Own Personal Revolution
Cartoonist & educator living in Lethbridge, AB Canada. Writes & draws the comic strip, Slaughterhouse Slough.
**SPEAKER CANCELLED**
Karen E. Fisher is a professor at the Information School, University of Washington, and an embedded field researcher with UNHCR Jordan. Originally from St. John’s, NL, she has found her second home at Zaatari Camp.
Zaatari: Culinary Traditions of the World's Largest Syrian Refugee Camp
Lorne Fitch has been a biologist for over 50 years. He has criss-crossed the province, learned the landscape, investigated fish and wildlife populations, and engaged with ranchers, farmers, industry, and bureaucrats over conservation. His insights are the result of much scar tissue. Lorne is a professional biologist, a retired provincial fish and wildlife scientist, and a former adjunct professor at the University of Calgary. He is also the co-founder of the riparian stewardship initiative called Cows and Fish. For his work on conservation he has been part of three Alberta Emerald awards, an Alberta Order of the Bighorn Award, and a Canadian Environmental Gold Award, with additional recognition from The Wildlife Society, the Society for Range Management, the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and the Alberta Wilderness Association. Lorne lives in Lethbridge, Alberta.
Travels Up the Creek: A Biologist's Search for a Paddle
Dr. Christina Fox Iitsisaanoowa (Vision Beyond) is a proud Blackfoot woman. Christina is a mother of four, grandmother of 18, and great-grandmother of 15. Despite Christina’s experience as a Residential School Survivor, she has shown her resilience and turned a negative experience into a positive one where she could advocate for children. Christina educates and shares her knowledge from; Detox Centre, Kainai Children Services, and Counselling Services and for the last 27 years in the Holy Spirit Catholic School Division. Christina has held positions as a presenter, facilitator, and most recently Keynote Speaker for the Alberta Teacher’s Association (ATA) University of Lethbridge. Christina has two books; My Suitcase – Nii Sookayis and Journey of the Heart.
MARIE-LOUISE GAY is an internationally acclaimed children’s book creator whose work has been translated into more than 20 languages. She has won many awards including two Governor General’s Literary Awards, the Vicky Metcalf Award for Children’s Literature, the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award and the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Picture Book Award. She has also been nominated for the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award and the Hans Christian Andersen Award. She lives in Montreal, Quebec.
Walking Trees
Jenna Greene is a YA/ Middle Grade author from Coaldale, AB. She is known for books such as An Owl Without A Name, which was a CBC-recommended title and a TD Summer Reading Club pick, and The Reborn Marks trilogy. When she isn’t writing or teaching, she can be seen on Henderson Lake, coaching or paddling with local dragonboat teams.
Meaghan Marie Hackinen is a Kelowna-based ultra-cyclist and writer whose two-wheeled adventures have taken her from Haida Gwaii to Mexico’s high plateaus, across Canada and the United States, and from North Cape to Tarifa along some of Europe’s highest paved roads. She competes both locally and internationally, with strong finishes in events like the Transcontinental Race, Trans Am Bike Race, NorthCape4000, and Paris-Brest-Paris brevet. Meaghan holds the women’s course record for the World 24-Hour Time Trial Championships and several bikepacking races, including The Big Lonely, BC Epic 1000, Silver State 508, and Log Driver’s Waltz (overall record). She has an MFA in Writing from the University of Saskatchewan and explores relationships, experiences on the road, and encounters with wild places in her creative non-fiction and prose.
Shifting Gears: Coast to Coast on the Trans Am Bike Race
Shirley Hill known as Anatsipi’kssaakii (Pretty Sound Bird Woman) is a Blackfoot Elder, Indigenous artist, and designer that works as an inspirational speaker and Indigenous Knowledge Keeper. She teaches people about the Blackfoot way of life. She is a mother and grandmother; she will share some of her experiences of the Pow wow Trail and many adventures traveling to many unique places.
As a dance teacher, she will share some of the dance protocols and encourage cultural awareness through storytelling.
Dallas Hunt is Cree and a member of Wapsewsipi (Swan River First Nation) in Treaty Eight territory in northern Alberta. He work has been published in Prairie Fire, PRISM international and Arc Poetry. His first children’s book, Awâsis and the World-famous Bannock, was published through Highwater Press in 2018, and was nominated for several awards. His first poetry collection, Creeland, published in 2022, was nominated for the George Ryga Award for Social Awareness in Literature, Gerald Lampert Memorial Award and the Indigenous Voices Award. Hunt lives in Vancouver, BC.
Teeth
M.T. Khan is a speculative fiction author with a penchant for all things myth, science, and philosophy. She focuses on stories that combine all three, dreaming of evocative worlds and dark possibilities. When she’s not writing, she has her nose deep in physics textbooks or glued to her CAD computer as she majors in Mechanical Engineering. Born in Lahore, Pakistan, she currently resides in Toronto, Canada, with a hyperactive cat and an ever-increasing selection of tea.
Amir and the Jinn Princess
Arounna Khounnraj is a Canadian artist and maker. In 2002 she started Bookhou, a multi-disciplinary studio with her husband John Booth, where Arounna explored a variety of printing and embroidery techniques, creating utilitarian objects such as bags, home goods and textiles.
Visible Mending: Repair, Renew, Reuse the Clothes You Love
Saskatchewan author VICTORIA KOOPS never stopped playing make-believe and often writes while wearing a tiara. Her books are full of epic adventure and swoony romance, and navigate social issues through the power of fandom and geek culture. Who We Are in Real Life is her debut novel. As a practicing counsellor, Victoria lives with her family in Treaty 4 Territory. Victoria loves to sing off-key, tease her sisters and pretend that she’ll choose a different romance the next time she plays Dragon Age: Inquisition.
Who We Are in Real Life
David is an instructor of English and Creative Writing at the University of Lethbridge with specializations in contemporary Canadian Literature and Indigenous Literatures. He has recently launched The Write Stuff with the support of the English Department.
I am a proud citizen of the Métis. I have always been in positions where I assist individuals achieve their goals or desired outcomes and thoroughly enjoy what I do every day. I believe in the power of education to heal and to empower you to realize your career aspirations so the gifts you have been given can be fostered and you can flourish not only for yourself but your family and community. I am an alumna of the University of Lethbridge where I studied Neuroscience, swam Varsity for the Pronghorns, and was Head Coach of Excalibur Swim Team. At the center of my world is my husband and two children, my culture, sports, and the outdoors in any capacity. I am an enormous advocate for balance in life and I am excited to get to know you.
Stephen Legault is a full-time conservation and climate activist, professional photographer, writing instructor and political organizer. He has published fifteen books, including the highly acclaimed Running Toward Stillness, Carry Tiger to Mountain: The Tao of Activism and Leadership, and Where Rivers Meet: Photographs and Stories from the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country. He is also an accomplished fiction writer whose works include The Red Rock Canyon Mysteries and The Cole Blackwater Mystery series. Stephen Legault currently works as Senior Manager, Alberta Energy Transition, for a national environmental advocacy organization. He and his wife, Jenn, live in Canmore, Alberta, where they raised their two sons, Rio and Silas.
High Cols & Deep Canyons: Ordinary Adventures in Extraordinary Places
Lethbridge Girls Rock Camp is a non-profit, volunteer driven organization where youth aged 9 to 17 can learn a new instrument (or new techniques on an old one) and express themselves in creative and artistic ways, as well as build self-esteem, confidence, leadership and teamwork skills.
Rocking since 2013, this summer marks LGRC’s eighth summer of helping Southern Alberta youth learn build confidence and new skills. Campers will spend the mornings taking part in instrument instruction, while the afternoons will be split between writing a song and rehearsing with their bands, and participating in various workshops. At the end of the week there will be a Camper Showcase where each band will take to the stage and perform for family, friends, and fans. We have also created an Intern position for our older campers to check out. Interns will be able to step up and take on a leadership role at camp, while learning some of the basics of what happens behind-the-scenes.
LI CHARMAINE ANNE (she/they) grew up in the unceded Coast Salish territories (a.k.a. Vancouver, British Columbia), where she skates, writes, and makes music. Crash Landing is her first novel.
Crash Landing
Pearl Long Time Squirrel is herself a member of the Blood Reserve and a descendant of Sacred Bird. Her cousin’s encouragement inspired Pearl to write the story of Sacred Bird. The woman’s inspiring story of survival, determination, and overcoming has been passed down through the generations. By putting the story of Sacred Bird on paper, Pearl hopes to record and preserve the stories of heroes and heroines she heard throughout her life to ensure this story, among others, is not lost.
Pearl Long Time Squirrel lives on the Blood Reserve in southern Alberta with her son, grandson, and Basset Hound Molly. Outside of writing, she enjoys sewing, beading, crocheting, writing poems, and gardening.
Sacred Bird Naatoyipi'kssi
Mary-Anne McTrowe was born and raised in Southern Alberta. Her first introduction to the ukulele was in elementary school, but she didn’t pick it up again in earnest until 1994. She played more or less secretly for the next ten years, until her first self-published album debuted at the 2005 Alberta Biennial. Mary-Anne received her B.F.A. in Art from the University of Lethbridge in 1998 and her M.F.A. from Concordia University in 2001. She has collaborated with other ukulele musicians from San Francisco to Sweden, and helped start the Lethbridge Ukulele Jam in 2014.
Mandy Michelle is a local contemporary romance author of two novels, Lust on the Rebound and Ready to Burn, with Scarsdale Publishing, and short story author of ‘Wrong Address’ in Sinners MC: A Motorcycle Club Anthology with Limitless Publishing. She is deep in the trenches of editing her newest trilogy, about the love lives of Manhattan’s millionaires, also with Scarsdale Publishing, which is expected to be released next year.
The Musaeus string quartet has earned a reputation as one of Alberta’s most versatile and accomplished classical performing groups. It is comprised of four of the Lethbridge Symphony’s principal strings musicians: Norbert Boehm (concertmaster), Airdrie Ignas (principal second violin), Gabriel Kastelic (viola), and Mark Rodgers (cello).
Their repertoire ranges from masterpieces of the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic eras through to twentieth-century classics, as well as arrangements of jazz, popular, and contemporary music.
Thorsten is a German author living and writing in Lethbridge, Canada. 2008 Nesch’s first novel Joyride Ost was nominated for Best German YA debut. Aside from writing full-length novels, Thorsten is a budding songwriter and photographer.
Hello! We are Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA), located in Southern Alberta. We formed our band in the summer of 2023 at LGRC. We are a 5 member band and are all around the ages of 14-15. Our members attend both LCI and WCHS. Our members are Amahra PR on vocals, Madi T on guitar, Alexia K on guitar, Emery V on bass, and Ace S on drums. Our music is mostly considered indie pop, we write original songs along with playing covers from many other bands.
Arley Nopra is a Filipina-Canadian illustrator and cartoonist and the creator of the New York Times bestselling Baby-sitters Club graphic novel adaptation Claudia and the Bad Joke by Ann M. Martin. She loves creating stories with relatable characters and finds joy in making readers laugh. She previously worked as the colorist for the second and third Dragon Prince graphic novels. When Arley isn’t drawing, she’s obsessing over TV shows, drinking lots of bubble tea, or reading novels in her favorite armchair. She lives in Toronto.
Claudia and the Bad Joke
Zuri is a 14 year old singer/songwriter from Taber, AB. She has been singing as long as she has been speaking. A natural story teller, Zuri has always been able to write of universal emotions in her poetry & songs that connect and resonate with each unique reader/listener. Zuri draws inspiration from various artists, including ABBA, Adele, Benson Boone, Zach Bryan, Noah Kahan, and Mckenna Grace.
DANNY RAMADAN (he/him) is a Syrian-Canadian author, public speaker, and advocate for LGBTQ+ refugees. His debut novel, The Clothesline Swing, was longlisted for Canada Reads and named a Best Book of the Year by The Globe and Mail and Toronto Star. His second novel, The Foghorn Echoes, won a Lambda Literary Award for Gay Fiction and was shortlisted for the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize and the Vancouver Book Award. He has an MFA in Creative Writing from UBC and currently lives in Vancouver with his husband.
Crooked Teeth: A Queer Syrian Refugee Memoir
Salma Joins the Team
Trina Rathgeber is a member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation and grew up in the northern community of Thompson, Manitoba, where she did all the things that northern kids do, from playing hockey and fishing to building forts in the woods. She enjoys writing for children and is the author of French Fries Are Potatoes: A Food Poem and Little Cookbook and The Bunnies Talk Money. Trina lives in Calgary with her family.
Lost at Windy River: A True Story of Survival
Bianca Rowena was born in Romania, Transylvania and has enjoyed writing from a young age. She now lives in Canada, which is the setting and inspiration for her novels. Bianca studied Cinema/Television/Stage/Radio at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.
Anna Marie Sewell is an award-winning multi-genre writer/performer, whose career has centred around collaborative multidisciplinary work, including Ancestors & Elders, Reconciling Edmonton (which featured the first ever Round Dance at Edmonton’s City Hall), Braidings, Honour Songs and Heart of the Flower. As Edmonton’s 4th Poet Laureate, Anna Marie created and curated The PoemCatcher public art installation. She founded and ran Big Sky Theatre, a three year training and performance project producing original Aboriginal (it was the 90s) theatre with urban youth. She is also a founding member of the Stroll of Poets, which has provided an entrée into Edmonton’s public poetry community since 1991.
Anna Marie authored two critically-acclaimed (and much-shortlisted) poetry collections, Fifth World Drum (Frontenac House, 2009), and 2018’s For the Changing Moon: Poems & Songs (Thistledown Press). Her essays and articles appear in Eighteen Bridges, Alberta Views, New Trail, Write Magazine, Legacy and various scholarly publications. She’s even had a recipe published in a cookbook.
Urbane
Api’soomaahka (Running Coyote) – William Singer III is a member of the Kainai Nation of the Blackfoot Confederacy.
His main profession is as an artist/illustrator with over 40 years of experience. He devotes a lot of time as an educator, an entrepreneur, and an environmental and political activist, utilizing Blackfoot Ecological Knowledge and protocol.
He currently operates Naapi’s Garden and Katoyiss Seed Bank and teaches at the Opokaa’sin Early Intervention Society where he has developed a land based Indigenous plants curriculum with a focus on Niitsitapi horticulture. He is member of the Kainai Ecosystem Protection Association, the Oldman Watershed Council, a board member of the Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association, a volunteer with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, a member of Indigenous Tourism Alberta, The Southern Alberta Native Seed Collaborative and a partnership agreement with Parks Canada, Waterton Lakes.
Natalie Sue is a Canadian author of Iranian and British descent. She spent her formative years moving around western Canada with a brief stint in Scotland, where she discovered her passion for storytelling as a means of connection and reading as a means of comfort. When she’s not writing, she enjoys bingeing great and terrible TV, attempting pottery, and procuring houseplants. She lives in Calgary with her husband, daughter, and dog. I Hope This Finds You Well is her debut novel.
I Hope This Finds You Well
Iona Whishaw is a former educator and social worker whose mother and grandfather were both spies during their respective wars. She is the award-winning author of the Globe and Mail bestselling Lane Winslow Mystery series. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, with her husband.
Lightning Strikes the Silence
JONATHAN WHITELAW is a writer, award-winning journalist and broadcaster. After working on the frontline of Scottish politics, he moved into journalism, covering everything from sports to music to radioactive waste – and everything in between. He’s also a regular reviewer, panelist and commentator. Find him on twitter @JDWhitelaw13.
The Concert Hall Killer
