Koffler Centre of the Arts

Acclaimed Antiguan-Québecoise artist Tawhida Tanya Evanson discusses her new novel Book of Wings, with spoken word artist and author, Sheniz Janmohamed.

The Koffler’s Books & Ideas series, in partnership with Diaspora Dialogues, is thrilled to present the new novel, Book of Wings, by Antiguan-Québecoise artist, Tawhida Tanya Evanson. In this sweeping, allusive novel, the celebrated poet, dervish, and oral storyteller comes to terms with what it means to stand on one’s own two feet in an uncertain world. Tracing a global journey, as a relationship with a lover and travel partner disintegrates, an artist finds herself on a path toward personal discovery and spiritual fulfillment that leads her deep into the North African landscape.

Tawhida Tanya Evanson will join spoken word artist, arts educator, and poet, Sheniz Janmohamed, in a virtual conversation.

Book of Wings can be purchased at A Different Booklist.

WATCH THE TALK ON YOUTUBE:

LISTEN TO THE TALK ON SOUNDCLOUD:

Koffler Centre of the Arts · Tawhida Tanya Evanson with Sheniz Janmohamed

The conversation has been transcribed for accessibility purposes. Please click here to view.

TAWHIDA TANYA EVANSON is an Antiguan-Québecoise poet, performer and producer. Author of two books of poetry, Nouveau Griot (Frontenac 2018) and Bothism (Ekstasis 2017), Book of Wings is her first work of fiction. With a 20-year practice in spoken word, she performs internationally and has released several studio albums and videopoems. Evanson is program director of Banff Centre Spoken Word. She has been named Poet of Honour at the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word, and has received the Golden Beret Award for her contribution to the spoken-word genre. Born and based in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal, she moonlights as a whirling dervish.

SHENIZ JANMOHAMED is a poet, artist educator, spoken word artist and nature artist. A graduate of the MFA in Creative Writing program at the University of Guelph, Sheniz has performed nationally and internationally for over 15 years, including features at the Jaipur Literature Festival, Aga Khan Museum, and Vancouver Writers Fest. Sheniz has been mentored by authors Dionne Brand, Kuldip Gill, and Janice Kulyk Keefer, and has been published in various journals and anthologies including Arc Poetry Magazine, Descant, CV2 and Quill & Quire. She is the author of two poetry collections: Bleeding Light (Mawenzi House 2010) and Firesmoke (Mawenzi House 2014), and her third collection, Reminders on the Path, is forthcoming with Mawenzi House.

Thanks to Véhicule Press, and to event bookseller, A Different Booklist.

The Koffler Centre of the Arts is dedicated to accessibility. CART will be provided at this event, and a transcript and video/audio recording will be available afterwards on the Koffler website. This Zoom event is in webinar format, meaning all event attendees will be off camera. We will do our best to accommodate additional access needs; if you have questions or concerns, please contact our access point person, Francis, at ftomkins@kofflerarts.org.

Our year-round Books & Ideas series spotlights provocative writers, novelists and thinkers, celebrating literary excellence and fostering critical dialogue through compelling book launches, author talks and in-depth interviews.

This spring, Books & Ideas continues to recognize female voices and experimental literature, featuring authors and books that reflect upon forgotten histories, intersectionality, personal narratives, and self-discovery. All programs will be presented virtually on our online platform.

Books & Ideas was launched with the generous support of Dorothy Shoichet & Family and the Estate of Joseph Koenig.

Tawhida Tanya Evanson, photo by Temmuz Arsiray.

Tawhida Tanya Evanson with Sheniz Janmohamed

Photos