Victoria
Saturday, February 13, 1:30 - 3:30 pm
LOVE, POETRY, AND CHOCOLATE: RUNNING ON LOVE - LYRICS FOR THE HUMAN RACE
Website:  http://www.victoria.ca/residents/artscl_ptlrt.shtml#event
Treat yourself to an afternoon of poetry and song that celebrates the season of love.  Victoria's poet laureate will be joined by poets Susan Stenson, John Barton, Tim Lilbum, poet/songwriters Janet Rogers & Rick van Krugel, singer/songwriter Ivan Doroschuk, and special guest artist Dale Roberts.  Those who submit a Valentine's poem by February 12 may have it read or displayed at the event (mail to Studio J, 1324 Broad Street, Victoria BC, V8W 2A9).  Complimentary refreshments and chocolates by Bernard Callebaut will be served after the poetry readings.  Free admission, no registration required.  Location:  Victoria City Hall, 1 Centennial Square, Victoria. 

Victoria
Saturday, February 20, 3 pm
BOOK LAUNCH: ISLAND KIDS
Website:  http://www.brindleandglass.com/books/island_kids.htm
Visit Tall Tales Books and meet local author Tara Saracuse.  Her new book, Island Kids, is a collection of 22 short stories, told in the voices and perspectives of BC's historical island children.  Topics range from Emily Carr as a young girl, to pioneers on Saltspring Island, and BC's history of residential schools.  Location: Tall Tales Books, 795 Fort Street, Victoria.

Victoria
Sunday, February 21, 8 pm
THE BIG ROCK SHOWDOWN
Website:  http://www.davemorrisisa.com/showdown
Hosted and co-produced by storyteller and improviser Dave Morris, the Big Rock SHOWDOWN will feature performers from all artistic pursuits: stand-up comedians, musicians, actors, poets, storytellers, dancers, M.C.s, and improvisers, in a cabaret-style performer competition.  The audience decides the winner of the $100 cash prize.  Tickets: $10 ($7 for students).  Location: Victoria Event Centre, 1415 Broad Street, Victoria. 

Victoria
June 24 - 27, 2010
CANWRITE! 2010 - THE CANADIAN AUTHORS' ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Theme: "Applying Technology to Your Writing"
Website: http://www.canauthors.org/conference.html 
Keynote speaker - Patrick Taylor, bestselling author of the Irish Country Doctor series. 

• John Chandler from Alandale Training Corporation will share computer tips and tricks to make your writing life easier;
• Learn how to enhance presentations and book launches by creating Power Point presentations;
• Find out how to increase sales through social networking (ie blogs, MySpace, Twitter);
• Explore the world of EBooks;
• Let Rodger Cove from the Vancouver Film School show you how to structure stories for the screen;
• and more!

Early registration bonus - Patrick Taylor will accept six 1500-word pieces of fiction - to be submitted no later than May 15, 2010 - and give one-hour, one-on-one evaluations with the authors on Thursday, June 24th, 2010 as part of CanWrite!  See the website for all details and registration information.  At the Harbour Towers Hotel, 345 Quebec Street, Victoria.  Info: Jean Kay, Conference Coordinator, jkay@canauthors.vancouver.org. 
 

Islands Region- regular monthly meetings & ongoing events

Comox
Last Tuesday of the Month, 7 pm
WRITING SUPPORT DROP-IN
The Comox Valley Arts Council is offering a Writing Support Drop-In. The group is meeting at the Muir Gallery (440 Anderton Ave.) the last Tuesday of every month. Writers and poets, beginners, intermediate and accomplished shall exchange information, share the tricks of the trade, discuss, read and write. More info: Krista @ 250-338-0536.

Gabriola
Sundays (ongoing), 2 to 4 pm
"JUST WRITE" -- DROP-IN WRITING SESSIONS
Based on a life-drawing approach, where the model may be a poem, a photo, a view from the window, designed to generate a flow of images from fresh perspectives.$15 a session, or 5 for $60 (use for any session through April). Facilitated by Patricia Ludwick - playwright, poet, editor and writing coach, who has taught in the creative writing departments at VIU and UBC, as well as having conducting workshops across Canada (for professional artists and at the community level). For a complete bibliography, phone 250-247-8990 or see her website: http://mypage.uniserve.com/~writershaven.