Writers at Woody Point appreciate PQ
September 2, 2010
In response to my note asking how the film screening of “Paul Quarrington Life in Music” fared with the audience and authors at this, one of Paul’s favourite festival on the East Coast, curated by his friends Stephen Brunt and his sister, Alison Gzowski and hosted by the lovely and talented Shelagh Rogers, who posted on my Facebook Wall .. for those of you not linked in …
“It was great, Judith. Or at least, I hear it was. I was stranded on Fogo Island!
But people were very moved by it and were grateful to have the opportunity to
honour Paul. Steve Brunt and I also had a Paul moment on stage–we put out
the fishing rod he used last year…I read a bit from the book about Des Walsh
and then we played the Friendly song–which got stuck in the middle and stopped!
Then picked up again. Quite a moment! hope your summer was/is great. xoxo”
Here’s the Western Star review of the event too >>
Canadian author and musician remembered at Woody Point Writers festival
Published on August 24th by Katherine Hudson
Stephen Brunt and Shelagh Rogers at Writers at Woody Point Festival
Stephen Brunt and Shelagh Rogers seen on Saturday August 21, 2010
Cigar Box Banjo – Quarrington’s Memoir from Greystone Books in stores
May 16, 2010
Paul Quarrington had a favourite story told to him when he was a kid: a boy fashions a banjo from a cigar box, sets off for a contest in the next town, and wins with a song that weaves in the sounds he hears along the way. As a grown-up writer and musician, Quarrington still loved the tale. And after he learned he had stage IV lung cancer, the story took on a whole new meaning for him.
Eclectic, hilarious, and endearingly frank, Cigar Box Banjo tracks a life lived in music and words. Quarrington ruminates on the bands of his childhood; his restless youth, playing bass with the cult band Joe Hall and the Continental Drift; and his incarnation, in middle age, as rhythm guitarist and singer with the band Porkbelly Futures. Ranging through rock’n’roll, the blues, folk, country, and soul, he explores how songs are made and why they affect us so profoundly.
Songwriting gave him a way to take in his own experience, Quarrington tells us—road trips, bad whisky, true love, love gone wrong—and music becomes his mainstay after the Dread Diagnosis. Some people with a terminal illness find mountains to climb; Quarrington decides to go out singing. On stage, at sea, and in studios from Newfoundland to Nashville, he celebrates his last year on the planet.
Enhanced CD includes three new Quarrington solo music tracks and first release of “Hey, Hollywood” music video as well as the official trailer for the documentary feature “Paul Quarrington: Life in Music.”
Read an excerpt and find out more on Greystone Books website
10 for 2010 Includes Quarrington’s Cigar Box Banjo
January 15, 2010
10 for 2010 / The books you need to read this year
In the January 9th edition of the Globe & Mail, Martin Levin listed the top 10 must reads for 2010. Of Paul Quarrington’s upcoming Cigar Box Banjo he writes, “…the writer and musician extraordinaire recounts a life experienced from inside the music…”
To read Levin’s full article on the Globe & Mail website, click here.
Michael Ondaatje: Video Telegram for Paul Quarrington
October 27, 2009
A theatrical tribute to Paul Quarrington by Michael Ondaatje, shot and screened at the Toronto event October 24, 2009 – “Life in Music, Words, and on Screen” – produced by BookShorts on behalf of the International Festival of Authors and Humber College. For more about Paul’s music inspired by Ondaatje’s mastery of the literary arts, visit the Music section of this site paulquarrington.org.? To help support the next generation of multi-disciplinary artists like Michael and Paul, become a member of Quarrington Arts Society, www.quarringtonartsociety.ca.
Paul Quarrington to Receive Matt Cohen Award
October 19, 2009
PAUL QUARRINGTON NAMED RECIPIENT OF WRITERS’ TRUST OF CANADA
MATT COHEN AWARD
Presentation to be made at IFOA event in honour of Quarrington’s life and work
TORONTO, October 19, 2009 The Writers’ Trust of Canada has named Paul Quarrington the ninth recipient of the Matt Cohen Award: In Celebration of a Writing Life. The award will be presented to Quarrington on Saturday, October 24 as part of the 30th anniversary International Festival of Authors (IFOA: Oct. 21-31, 2009).
The presentation of the Matt Cohen Award will be made by Patsy Aldana, following an introduction by Margaret Atwood, as part of Paul Quarrington: A Life in Music, Words, and on Screen, Saturday, October 24, 3pm, Harbourfront Centre. This licensed IFOA event includes readings and tributes from authors including Atwood, Roddy Doyle and Alistair MacLeod; from Quarrington’s film industry peers, including Paul Gross, who flies in from the set of Eastwick to deliver an on-stage tribute; and live music from the PorkBelly Futures, the Quarrington Trio, and a reunion of the Rheostatics. Dave Bidini hosts.
For information and to purchase tickets the public may visit <b>www.readings.org or Call the Harbourfront Centre Box Office at 416-973-4000. Tickets are $15/$12 members/FREE students with ID (subject to availability).
About the Matt Cohen Award:
Valued at $20,000, the Matt Cohen Award is presented to a Canadian writer whose life has been dedicated to writing as a primary pursuit, in honour of a body of distinguished work in poetry or prose, in English or French. This year’s prize is made possible by a number of generous donors; a committee composed of Patsy Aldana, Graeme Gibson, and Wayne Grady selected the recipient.
Established in 2001 by the Writers’ Trust of Canada and a group of anonymous donors, this award is named in memory of Matt Cohen, winner of the Governor General’s Award for Fiction (Elizabeth and After, 1999) and a founding member of the Writers’ Union of Canada. Past recipients include Mavis Gallant, Norman Levine, and Marie-Claire Blais.
Video: Each Day Like It’s My Last
October 19, 2009
The first installment in the continuing story of one man’s journey following a terminal diagnosis.
The Ravine Out of Doors
May 26, 2009
Lit City ? Toronto Stories, Toronto Settings ? is a three-month citywide celebration of literary Toronto. It commemorates writers who find inspiration in Toronto and use the city as a setting in their work. The series culminated at the 10th anniversary of Doors Open Toronto. Author / musician / filmmaker Paul Quarrington read an excerpt from his novel ?The Ravine? at Todmorden Mills: Heritage Museum and Arts Centre followed by a walk in the Don Valley. The valley is a perfect stand-in for the pivotal dramatic event in Quarrington’s tale. His semi-autobiographical character Phil McQuigge is set upon by thugs at a pond just like this, an event that puts Phil on a life course for the worse. The Ravine is available in stores and online; Paul’s books, music recordings, and films are featured on his website, paulquarrington.org.? For more book news, visit MovingStories.TV (c) 2009 BookShorts Inc. with thanks to City of Toronto and Doors Open Toronto.
Quarrington’s buddies win the big ones!!
January 30, 2009
Joseph Boyden–the only Canadian novelist who may be a more manly man than yours truly–won the Giller Prize for his novel, “Through Black Spruce.” And Nino Ricci, a very good pal, claimed the Governor General’s Award for “The Origin of Species.” Congratulations, says Quarrington. True, he says it through clenched teeth–his book “The Ravine” has claimed no awards to date–but he says it none the less.? And now, let’s forget about it and move on!
This photo, by the way, is of myself, Nino and his beautiful wife, writer Erika de Vasconcelos.? We are pictured with Scott Griffin and his beautiful wife Krystyne, and the occasion was the Griffin Prize for poetry, another award I’ve never won! Mind you, I’ve never published any poetry, still.. And while I’m being bitter, where’s MY beautiful wife?
The Ravine Makes Giller Long List!
September 15, 2008
This just in! The Ravine has been longlisted for the?2008 Scotiabank Giller Prize. Quarrington is no stranger to the Giller, having been shortlisted in 2004 for Galveston.
“The selections this year are especially formidable. Many of the other nominees are personal friends,” says Quarrington,? “which might cause some difficulty when I begin the hexing incantations and whammies, but hey, I hope they understand. I’m proud to be on such a fine list.”
Is it any wonder that Quarrington won the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour? In addition to pulling in the Leacock, his novel King Leary also kept him “on the island,” emerging as sole survivor (read: winner) of the 2008 CBC Canada Reads competition.
The recognition doesn’t end with his books, however. Quarrington is the writer for Moose TV, which won the 2008 Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA) Indie Award for Best Comedy Series. He’s also been groovin’ to sell-out crowds across the country with his band Porkbelly Futures. The band has released their eponymous album earlier this year.
Paul Quarrington takes his own advice – write what makes you uncomfortable
April 28, 2008
There’s a bit of the old slipperiness to Paul Quarrington. Any time I’ve met the guy (and the occasions have been few), he’s been friendly, thoughtful, funny, open. But open only to a point. Read the feature article here >>
by JAMES ADAMS for The Globe & Mail
April 28, 2008
