The Nooner with Wayne Tefs

I raced up the stairs towards the Carol Shield’s Auditorium at the Millennium Library to attend The Nooner with Wayne Tefs. His book, Bandit, fictionally chronicled the life of Ken Leishmann, also known as the Flying Bandit, who was a bank robber of sorts in the ‘50s and ‘60s.

A man in his early-30s sat at the back of the room, his arms relaxed and draped across the backs of the chairs beside him. Another sat at the front, a decorative pillow cushioned his back. There was a rather tall man with grey hair, whose face I couldn’t see, even though he asked several questions of the author. I believe he wore glasses.

There were few women amongst the crowd, maybe eight at best. There was a striking woman in head to toe black who strolled across one side of the auditorium in heels. A woman in a lime-green blazer with silver-hair told Tefs how her husband was a bus-boy at a “chicken and ribs” restaurant once frequented by Leishmann. The auditorium suddenly filled with laughter.

The Nooner is an opportunity for all Winnipeggers, and Manitobans, to sit, relax and listen. To be read to. Who doesn’t like to be read to? Remember when we were children, how we looked forward to story time in school? Think of THIN AIR’s The Nooner like a grown-up’s story time.

But these aren’t your kid’s nursery rhymes. 

--Tammy W. Karatchuk

Monday at THIN AIR…

It’s our first full-day of the festival and we hope that you’ll join us! Every weekday during festival week is jam-packed with a number of different events to choose from.

The Nooner (Millennium Library, 12:15 – 12:45 p.m.) is a quick and free literary hit that can be enjoyed over the lunch hour.

The Afternoon Books Chats (McNally Robinson, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.) offer some stimulating company for your mid-afternoon coffee break zone. And yes… also free.

The Big Ideas series (Millennium Library, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.) gives you something to chew on before you head home for dinner. And, you guessed it… free, free, free!

Each weekday also includes both rural and campus tours, and ends with a Mainstage presentation featuring a collection of the day’s presenters.

So who do you want to see today?
Manitoba Reads finalist Wayne Tefs presents his latest novel, Bandit, at The Nooner and teams up with Elizabeth Hay for the Afternoon Book Chat. Wayne and Elizabeth are joined by Lynn Coady, Margaret Macpherson and Robert J Sawyer on the first evening Mainstage show at MTYP.

You might also want to check in with Winnipeg writer, Dave Kattenburg. He’ll kick off the Big Ideas sessions with a discussion about Foxy Lady, the true story of how several free-spirited adventurers – including one Canadian – fell victim to the Khmer Rouge in 1978.

Dave Kattenburg - go see him!

For all the details, visit thinairwinnipeg.ca. And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter at @WPGTHINAIR, because we’ll be live-tweeting from most events!

The Manitoba Reads final four

The votes are in, the selections have been made, and the Winnipeg International Writers Festival, McNally Robinson Booksellers and CBC Manitoba Scene are proud to announce the four finalists of the first-ever Manitoba Reads.

Based on the popular Canada Reads model, voters chose between 16 books written by Manitoba authors. At the end of the voting period, four judges each selected one of the remaining eight titles as their top pick.

Now, they judges prepare to debate the books down to a single title on September 24 at the closing Mainstage show of THIN AIR 2011. The debate will then be broadcast the following morning on CBC’s Weekend Morning Show.

“This is so exciting,” said Charlene Diehl, director of THIN AIR. “The top four books truly represent the talented authors Manitoba has to offer. And, to make things even more exciting, two of the top four authors will be presenting at THIN AIR 2011!”

 Here is the breakdown of each judge and the title he or she has selected to debate:

Judge: Alison Gillmor

Title: Reading by Lightning by Joan Thomas

Judge: Vincent Ho

The Life of Helen Betty Osborne by David Alexander Robertson

Judge: Paul Jordan

Bandit by Wayne Tefs

Judge: Niigon Sinclair

Where Nests the Water Hen by Gabrielle Roy

For more information about Manitoba Reads, visit www.cbc.ca/manitoba/scene/books.

Manitoba Reads top eight have been chosen

It took one month and 1700 votes from people in 17 countries, but the results are in!

Of the original 16 titles on the Manitoba Reads roster, only eight remain. Those titles are:

• Catherine Hunter - The Dead of Midnight
• Chandra Mayor - All the Pretty Girls
• David Robertson - The Life of Helen Betty Osborne
• Gabrielle Roy - Where Nests the Water Hen
• Wayne Tefs - Bandit
• Daria Salamon - The Prairie Bridesmaid
• Carol Shields - Republic of Love
• Joan Thomas - Reading by Lightning

Now, four panelists will each choose one of the eight remaining titles and prepare to defend their choice at the final THIN AIR 2011 Mainstage on September 24. It's an event you definitely don't want to miss, so be sure to keep checking our website for details about ticket information.

Thank you to everyone who voted for Manitoba Reads, and we can't wait to see what will happen next!