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Brilliant and beautiful would certainly be an understatement when describing the subtle investigations and ruminations of this stunning first poetry collection
I’ve been eagerly awaiting Emily Schultz’s latest release Songs for the Dancing Chicken (ECW Press) since she dazzled readers with her highly pleasurable and spot-on study of coming of age in the 1980’s, Joyland. Despite the fact that Joyland is certainly a tough act to follow, Songs for the Dancing Chicken certainly doesn’t disappoint, and will inevitably be yet another critically acclaimed and much-celebrated publication for the innovative Toronto based writer. The work as a whole is both accessible and insightful; in short, a highly intelligent and informed document that also succeeds in being thoroughly enjoyable. A rare victory and a sign of immeasurable talent, if you ask me.
Schultz’s starting point for the collection is, strangely enough, the films and life of much-admired directorial oddity, Werner Herzog. Somehow she manages to compose an entire collection that references his work while still revealing the subtleties of everyday life. Brilliant and beautiful would certainly be an understatement when describing the subtle investigations and ruminations of this stunning first poetry collection.
Schultz is the former editor of Broken Pencil magazine, and also the former editor of This Magazine, which means she knows more than a little about connecting with the community at large. Her latest initiative of note was the creation of The Centre for Culture and Leisure No. 1, “a rough hewn project and exhibition space located ten steps south of Queen West on Elm Grove Avenue.” Founded in collaboration with the equally talented Brian Joseph Davis, the space seeks to respect and become part of the community for a single year. The most recent addition to the space’s schedule is Darren O’Donnell’s Video Show for the People of Pakistan and India. O’Donnell describes the work as “account of his time spent presenting his interactive theatre work Q and A in rural Pakistan and in Mumbai, India.”
As for Schultz, new releases thankfully mean the locals get to enjoy author appearances and launch events, and Schultz will be in conversation with Jason Anderson at the Gladstone Hotel as part of Pages Books’ This Is Not a Reading Series. In the spirit of “not a reading,” the two will discuss the work of none other than the venerable Werner Herzog.
Emily Schultz in Conversation with Jason Anderson Wed Mar 28, 2007 Doors at 7pm Gladstone Ballroom 1214 Queen Street West Free
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