John Asfour, Kogawa House writer-in-residence gives reading at Vancouver Public Library with Marcus Youssef and Adrienne Wong of Neworld Theatre
(Post by Todd Wong)
Cover image: John Asfour strums his oud (arabic lute), while Neworld Theatre’s Marcus Youssef and Adrienne Wong read his poems — photo Todd Wong
Tuesday night was wonderful. Marcus and Adrienne dimmed the lights to create an intimate setting. Kirsty set up the book table. I put out copies of Ricepaper beside them… I made the official VPL announcements because VPL Community Librarian Sophie Middleton called me at 4pm, asking me, because she had an allergy issue.
Richard Hopkins corrected me on my announcement of the June 9th event for VPL when the George Woodcock Award will be presented to W.P. Kinsella (I had said Patrick Kinsella)… and I did say that last year the award went to Joy Kogawa.
I gave brief intros and welcomes to John, Adrienne and Marcus and Sahaib. Acknowledging their upcoming events… such as May 30th at Kogawa House, Mixie & the Halfbreeds, as well as to Ariadne Sawyer of World Poetry, with her Gala anniversary at the Roundhouse next Monday.
John gave a short introduction, and explained how the evening would work. First the translations read in English by Marcus and Adrienne, then in Arabic by Sahaib. Then followed by John’s works.
We actually started at 7:40, and continued non-stop to 8:40. It was a special magical evening. The audience paid rapt attention.
The “performance” flowed…. without the usual interruptions, explanations, flipping of pages… etc that are at most poetry readings.
Joh Asfour makes a brief introduction and acknowledges Neworld Theatre, Historic Joy Kogawa House Society, Vancouver Public Library and Sahaib — photo Todd Wong
Sahaib reads the original poems in Arabic language, while translator John Asfour plays his oud — photo Todd Wong
The readings were all well done. Marcus and Adrienne brought life and drama to the words, as did Sahaib. I didn’t understand Arabic words, but the rhythm, the rhyme, the meaning, and the presence were all projected strongly. The audience listened. The audience paid attention listening to words they didn’t understand… listening to sounds they understood… like music.
The duo voices of Marcus and Adrienne were matched in perfect timing, with a warm chemistry. Marcus’ reading during “Beirut” emphasized the “drunkenness” of the character, while Adrienne grounded the poem with her narration. “Gaza” was incredibly timely and insightful. With recent happenings in Gaza, I wished that we could have sent it out to the media, or asked Adrienne how if felt having played “My Name is Rachel Corrie.”
John’s playing of the oud, was soft or loud, slow or fast… accompanying the poems like a musical soundtrack. Afterwards, he told me he had played 12 songs, as well as improvisation.
After the reading… Marcus led a Q&A for the final 20 minutes. But I had to interrupt him briefly just to remind the audience of the May 30th Kogawa House event, and the Mixies event… and to share that Marcus had just been nominated that day for a Jessies Awards… for artistic achievement. Lots of audience applause.
Afterwards we went for snacks at Subeez restaurant down the street, where we all joked and told stories, and complimented each other, and deepened our friendships.
It was one of the best poetry performances I have witnessed in years.
Next reading at Kogawa House with Gary Geddes and Ann Eriksson. By reservation and donation only. Email: kogawahouse@yahoo.ca