A scene from the musical The Bloody Irish! (photo: the bloodyirish.com)

FEATURED EVENT

Bloomsday Montreal

June 12–16

Montreal is the only Canadian city to annually celebrate Bloomsday ­– June 16, the day in 1904 when Leopold Bloom took his walk around Dublin as depicted in James Joyce’s masterpiece, the novel Ulysses – over several days. Forty per cent of Quebecers claim Irish ancestry and this lively festival boosts local pride while building awareness of diverse cultures and identities. Highlights of the five-day festival, now in its fifth year, include readings, walking tours, film screenings, lectures, and more. Full schedule and locations: bloomsdaymontreal.com

TUESDAY, JUNE 7

Art Bar Poetry Series: Laurence Hutchman, Shane Rhodes, Stanley Fefferman. Black Swan Tavern, 154 Danforth Ave., Toronto. 8 p.m. PWYC

Breakwater Books: Spring launch, with Chad Pelley, Nicholas Ruddock, and Kevin Major. Masonic Temple, 6 Cathedral St., St. John’s, Nfld. 9 p.m. Free

Joan Crate: Promoting the release of Black Apple. Northern District Public Library, 40 Orchard View Blvd., Toronto. 7 p.m. Free

John Goddard: Goddard gives a presentation on his new book, Inside Hamilton’s Museums. Concession Street Library, 565 Concession St., Hamilton. 6:30pm. Free.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8

Dan Buchanan: Storytelling session with Buchanan, based on C.W. Hunt’s Whisky and Ice. St John’s United Church, 50 Bridge St. W., Campbellford. Ont. 11 a.m.

THURSDAY, JUNE 9

Elizabeth Muir: Canadian Women in the Sky author gives a PowerPoint presentation and talk about the history of women in aviation. Courtenay Public Library, 300 6th St., Courtenay, B.C. 2 p.m.

Heather O’Neill: Reading and Q&A with the author. Whistler Public Library, 4329 Main St., Whistler, B.C. 7:30 p.m. Free

Indigenous Writers’ Gathering: 7th annual event, with Leanne Simpson, Lee Maracle, Waubgeshig Rice, and Joseph Boyden. Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St. Free. Full program details: facebook.com/writeindigenous

FRIDAY, JUNE 10

Indigenous Writers’ Gathering: Seventh annual event, with Leanne Simpson, Lee Maracle, Waubgeshig Rice, and Joseph Boyden. Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St. Free. Full program details: facebook.com/writeindigenous

SATURDAY, JUNE 11

B.J. Bayle: Bayle signs her YA novel, Red River Rising. Tea and Other Things, 110 2nd Ave. W., Cochrane, Alb. 10 a.m.

Elizabeth Muir: Muir talks about the history of women in aviation. Campbell River Museum, 470 Island Highway, Campbell River, B.C. 1 p.m.

Mark Cullen: Cullen talks about the purpose of gardens in Canada. Home Hardware Kitchener, 1014 Victoria St. N., Kitchener, Ont. 10 a.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 12

Phil Dwyer: Author of Conversations on Dying discusses the subtleties of narrative non-fiction. Down By the Bay, 121 Mississauga St. E., Orillia, Ont. 11:30 a.m.

Plasticine Poetry: The series’ final evening, with Jeanette Lynes and Kate Hargreave. Victory Cafe, 581 Markham St., Toronto. 6 p.m. PWYC

Toronto Poetry Slam: With special guest Rafay Ansari. Drake Hotel Underground, 1150 Queen St. W. 8 p.m. $7

Send listings for any Canadian literary events to events@quillandquire.com.