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Bright Idea
Toronto's latest reading series takes the lit to the streets By Sarah Grynpas
Damian Rogers reads
Image credit: Liz Clayton
“Tungsten is the filament in a lightbulb,” explains Ed Keenan, the City
Editor at Eye Weekly and the founder of Toronto’s latest reading series, the
Tungsten Arts & Letters Society Outdoor Word & Music Adventure. “And the
lightbulb is the universal symbol for ideas.” And so, he decided to stage a
reading series, bringing undiscovered gems of Toronto’s public spaces to
light. It’s the antithesis of the glossy, rarefied urbane. And deliberately
casual: no permits, minimal advertising, no operating costs at all. Just two
people giving readings on the evening’s theme, a house band, and Keenan’s mother
serving homemade cookies and drinks. (And unlike most other readings in town, hosted in bars, sans booze.) The first two installments, featuring writers like Emily Schultz and Damian Rogers, were held near Casa Loma and the Music Garden. “It’s intentionally half-baked," Keenan says. "I
want people to have fun. I’m fascinated by this city, and I just want to
bring people to places I like.” The community feeling is part of its charm.
“I like the awkwardness as people aren’t sure how to act. I hope that people
walking by will want to stay, and will become a part of the experience.” Mayor Miller perhaps—the next, election-themed edition is to be held in the shadow of City Hall.
Tungsten Arts & Letters Society Outdoor Word & Music Adventure. Speakers Corner, Nathan Phillips Square, Oct. 4, 6:30 p.m. Free.
TEST Originally published October 2006
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