Michael Simon w/ James Daikuw (Live Music-Folk/singer-songwriter)

Saturday Jan 11 2020 8:00 pm - Prairie Ink Restaurant, Saskatoon

Michael Simon's connection to music was strong from an early age. His biggest influences are John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot and Neil Young. He's influenced by many other musicians as well, from a variety of genres, including classical, folk and blues, but the most important addition since discovering his music and story is Woody Guthrie. Mike's own songs are in this proud tradition: that of raising awareness about current political, environmental and social issues. 

He's played coffee houses, festivals and shows in Nova Scotia, P.E.I., Alberta, Manitoba, B.C. and Saskatchewan, both as a solo singer-songwriter and as the lead singer in groups.

Ever since James Diakuw discovered he has hands, he has been making music with them. Sometimes he plays guitars or pianos or cajons. Sometimes he plays saxophones or vibraslaps or clarinets. Sometimes when he plays clarinets he calls them "Licorice Sticks" because that's what a nice old man from Prince Albert called them. Often he claps his hands along with other musicians and, almost always, afterwards in appreciation. He hopes to travel the world and play every kind of instrument before his hands stop working. And maybe some day, long from now, someone will call him a "nice old man from Prince Albert" and he'll teach them to call a clarinet a licorice stick. He also plays in the Whiskey Jerks.

Preschool Storytime

Tuesday Jan 14 2020 10:30 am - Story Circle, Saskatoon

For kids aged 3-5. Drop in and join our storyteller Faye for stories, rhymes, and fun.

Olawumi Oyetuga--Book Launch

Tuesday Jan 14 2020 7:00 pm - Travel Alcove, Saskatoon

Launch of Christ in My Thoughts.

Our action is a faithful follower of our thoughts. On a daily basis we have choices to make and the thoughts we give audience to have a strong influence on our actions. This book combines the wisdom of the word of God with storytelling that gives life meaning. Faith and wisdom are woven together to demonstrate the omnipresent qualities of God for those who desire to know Him more.

Olawumi Oyetuga is a busy mom that has realized that in the busyness of each day, her thoughts play an important role in the outcome of each day. Her personal experiences of finding God in the tiny details gave birth to her blog page that later gave birth to a published book. She is a Registered Nurse by profession. She currently resides in Saskatoon with her husband and their three children.

Cindy Clarke--Book Launch

Thursday Jan 16 2020 7:00 pm - Travel Alcove, Saskatoon

Launch of The Blue Dress and other poems.

Cindy Clarke is an assistant professor in curriculum studies at Brandon University and a poet. At an early age, her family immigrated from the urban sprawl of California to a small store located 100 kilometers north of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, on the side of the highway in the northern Canadian boreal forest. The isolation and wildness of this isolated landscape became a force that influenced and shaped both Clarke’s academic and creative writing. Many of the poems from The Blue Dress first appeared in Clarke’s doctoral dissertation, Beyond the Muskeg, which won the University of Saskatchewan Outstanding Dissertation Award in Social Sciences in 2017. In addition to many academic publications, Clarke has had poetry published in several journals including The Antigonish Review, FreeFall, and The Nashwaak Review. She currently lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan with her partner, Brian, and their two dogs.

Corner Grass Duo (Live Music-Bluegrass/Oldtime)

Friday Jan 17 2020 8:00 pm - Prairie Ink Restaurant, Saskatoon

Together since 2017, Corner Grass is a Saskatoon based duo comprised of Tom Regier (mandolin and vocals) and Rob McInnis (guitar and vocals). As the band name implies, the duo is proud of their prairie roots and likes to have fun with their music. They have performed at a number of diverse venues and festivals including Northern Lights Bluegrass and Old Tyme Music Festival in 2018 and The Waskesiu Lakeside Music Festival in 2019.

Drawing on influences such as Bill Monroe, Ricky Scaggs, Doc Watson and Flatt & Scruggs, Corner Grass delivers a lively mix of bluegrass, old-time and classic country songs and instrumentals.

While Rome Burns (Live Music-Traditional/Folk)

Saturday Jan 18 2020 8:00 pm - Prairie Ink Restaurant, Saskatoon

While Rome Burns is an exciting new duo comprised of Paul Gitlitz and Wyndham Thiessen. These two love to fiddle around on fiddle and cello or any number of other stringed instruments. They play traditional as well as newly composed tunes and songs.

Preschool Storytime

Tuesday Jan 21 2020 10:30 am - Story Circle, Saskatoon

For kids aged 3-5. Drop in and join our storyteller Faye for stories, rhymes, and fun.

An Evening with Arthur Slade

Tuesday Jan 21 2020 7:00 pm - Travel Alcove, Saskatoon

Launch of Dragon Assassin (Scholastic Canada).

Carmen is a student at Red Assassin School. She’s an expert at bladed weapons and poisons; and she’s desperate to finish at the top of the class, ahead of her twin brother. The students have been trained to hunt using giant black swans, but Carmen has discovered a dragon. All she has to do is get on his back.

One problem: he’s killed everyone who gets near him.

Then the Emperor declares war on assassins. And there might be a traitor among them.

Carmen wants to graduate. But the emperor wants her dead. Her classmates might, too. Graduation night is about to become the fight of her life.

In this heartstopping adventure by Arthur Slade, readers will root for Carmen — an Assassin with a heart of gold, determined to follow her dream against all odds.

Arthur Slade was raised on a ranch in the Cypress Hills of Saskatchewan. He wanted to be a writer from the time he was young, and finished his first novel when he was still in his teens. Now he is the author of eighteen acclaimed novels for young readers in a variety of genres, including science fiction, horror, mystery, historical fiction and graphic novels. His book The Hunchback Assignments won the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, and Dust won of the Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature. 

Bob Bartel--Book Launch

Thursday Jan 23 2020 7:00 pm - Travel Alcove, Saskatoon

Launch of Nutaui's Cap by Bob Bartel.

A moving story of protest and determination, Nutaui's Cap tells of a young Innu girl, Nanass. The low-level flying of NATO supersonic jets disrupts her family's traditional way of life, and endangers both them and the wildlife they depend upon, so Nanass' father and the other members of the Sheshatshiu community decide to protest by occupying the military's runways. One day her father is arrested, and Nanass must find comfort in a cap and the hope the land will always belong to the Innu.

This true account is one small moment in the years-long struggle of the Innu people against NATO and the Canadian government.

Illustrations by acclaimed Innu artist Mary Ann Penashue capture the gentle relationship between Nanas and her father, and their culture

A children’s author and a retired elementary teacher, Bob Bartel grew up in Waldheim, Saskatchewan. His family spent 1986-89 in Labrador working with Mennonite Central Committee. During that time Bob's work included support of the Innu's protests for their rights and their land.

Rory Lynch Quartet (Live Music-Jazz)

Friday Jan 24 2020 8:00 pm - Prairie Ink Restaurant, Saskatoon

With roots in the jazz tradition, the Rory Lynch Quartet provides a contemporary take on small-group jazz. Adventure-seeking and group dynamics drive the energy of their live show, and the personal contributions from each band member fuse together to create an exciting and refreshing soundscape. The band also serves as a laboratory for the creation and development of new compositions.

The group's line-up includes Rory (saxophone), Nevin Buehler (bass), and Ian Summach (guitar).

Wilbur Sargunaraj--Musical Storytime

Saturday Jan 25 2020 1:00 pm - Travel Alcove, Saskatoon

Join Wilbur Sargunaraj for an interactive musical performance, storytime and book signing.

In How to be a Simple Superstar, Cultural Intelligence Facilitator Wilbur Sargunaraj takes us around the world to teach us what it means to be a Simple Superstar. As he makes friends from all walks of life, Wilbur shows us how to celebrate the beauty of every person and live a simple, other-centred life. Inspired by his mentor Jean Vanier, Wilbur introduces 8 ideas that will encourage children and adults to become the best versions of themselves. Makes for an excellent gift for parents, kids or a coffee table book for a Wilbur fan!

Known as the “Simple Superstar”, Wilbur Sargunaraj is a musician and certified Cultural Intelligence Facilitator. Wilbur uses his platform to create films and music, which call attention to many social issues and his passion is for reconciliation, justice, and helping people build relational bridges across differences. In addition to his artistic projects, Wilbur performs and speaks at schools, orphanages, youth centres and businesses to inspire children and adults around the world to become first class culturally intelligent Simple Superstars. Wilbur was born in a small prairie town on Treaty 7 territory in Alberta, Canada and grew up in rural South India. Wilbur considers Treaty 6 Territory, SK one of his many homes! Wilbur is currently on tour with his new children’s book and album. (For more info on Wilbur visit www.wilbur.asia Social Media: @wilburworldwide)

The Lost Keys (Live Music-Jazz/Pop)

Saturday Jan 25 2020 8:00 pm - Prairie Ink Restaurant, Saskatoon

Over the last 10 years, Saskatoon jazz/pop trio The Lost Keys have developed an eclectic selection of songs. They put their own spin on old favourites with a little bit of jazz, swing, blues, pop, folk, roots and country thrown in. Inspired by the likes of Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Norah Jones, Madeleine Peyroux and Gillian Welch, they blend guitars, bass, smooth vocals and tasty harmonies for an engaging listening experience. www.lostkeystrio.com

Do Sask Book Club with Amy Rederburg

Monday Jan 27 2020 7:00 pm - Travel Alcove, Saskatoon

Join the Do Sask Book Club at McNally Robinson Booksellers on Monday, January 27th in the Travel Alcove. Check back soon for this month's pick and to RSVP.

The book club is free and open to anyone in Saskatoon who wants to read, meet new people, and socialize all at the same time! Members are invited to submit book suggestions, and the next title for the group is selected by a draw.

Do Sask is a community designed for people who want to develop and nurture meaningful relationships in Saskatchewan, and aims to connect people and places through creative, local events and entertaining activities. Find more information at dosask.com, and watch McNally Robinson event listings for details about each upcoming book club meeting.

Preschool Storytime

Tuesday Jan 28 2020 10:30 am - Story Circle, Saskatoon

For kids aged 3-5. Drop in and join our storyteller Faye for stories, rhymes, and fun.