Welcome to the 20th annual Writers at Woody Point literary festival
It’s a significant landmark for us. In 2004, we began with a beautiful, historic venue, a bright idea, a group of hard-working volunteers, a magnificent host, a. single private donation of $1000 and not a penny of government funding. Oh, and we also had Gordon Pinsent, which increased our odds of success exponentially.
We lost our patron saint a few months back, and we would like to dedicate this year’s festival to him. Gordon returned to Woody Point twice after that magical first year – plus a virtual cameo during our 2020 festival – and each one of those appearances is etched in the memory of those of us who were lucky enough to experience them. It’s doubly appropriate that one of our authors this year is Sarah Polley, who directed Gordon’s spectacular performance in her film Away From Her.
The 20th WAWP will include a few echoes of that very first festival. Michael Crummey was with us then. So was Des Walsh. And of course, Shelagh Rogers. Some of you may also remember a family band from the Codroy Valley – the Cormiers – who were a big part of our musical line-up during that inaugural season. We are thrilled to welcome back Mallory Johnson, who was the young girl in the band, and who today is one of the rising stars in Canadian country music.
As always, this year’s WAWP mixes much that is familiar with a few added twists.
The old favourites?
Opening concerts with Serena Ryder, the evening shows at the Heritage Theatre, the on-stage interviews and the “Coffee with…” series hosted by Angela Antle that we introduced last year are all back. The same goes for Tom Power and the Friday night traditional (and not so traditional…) music session, Writers in the Wild, and the Saturday night party at the Legion featuring our friends from Cape Breton, Pretty Archie. David Ferry returns with the latest edition of Short Waves/Short Stories, and we are thrilled that this year it will be performed live at the Legion. We have New Voices at the Merchant Warehouse, a Meet and Greet and author signing session with our fabulous booksellers, Blue Heron Books, and the return of the Des Walsh Experience – this time featuring his band, Tickle Harbour.
What’s new?
We will be screening Sarah’s Oscar-winning film Women Talking at the theatre in the Discovery Centre. Our stand-alone concert with Polaris Prize finalist Aysanabee will take place at a new venue for us, the Church of the Epiphany. On Thursday night after the show at the Heritage Theatre, Polaris Prize-winner Cadence Weapon (aka Rollie Pemberton) will perform a DJ set at the Legion for our opening night party. Tickets at the door. Holly Hogan will be reading from her book Message In a Bottle on Sunday morning at Galliott Studios. In a summer filled with unsettling environmental news, Holly’s work pulls no punches, but also offers hope. And on Sunday night we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Breakwater Books, the founding of which was a watershed event for Newfoundland literature.
The demand for tickets this year was unprecedented – even by Woody Point standards. We can’t thank you enough for your support.
Getting to twenty was a team effort involving so many volunteers, our executive directors, the people on stage, the people back stage and the Woody Point community. But if you hadn’t come out, in numbers, starting on that very first night, we wouldn’t be here today.
See you at the Theatre.
Stephen Brunt
Artistic Director
Writers at Woody Point
Greetings from Hon. Gudie Hutchings
MP Long Range Mountains
Writers at Woody Point is a key event in the province’s cultural calendar and has become the highlight for many festival goers.
From its start the festival has captured the hearts of audiences with a unique combination of events, local enthusiasm, and the stunning setting of Gros Morne National Park.
Writers at Woody Point presents the best in music, and performance and of course, literature.
Welcome everyone to this wonderful festival, and especially to those experiencing the magic for the first time! Congratulations to the hardworking volunteers and staff who make the festival possible year after year. I am eager to see what inspiration they will bring to audiences this season!
