Jesse Thistle, Shelly Kawaja, Nico Paulo, David Ferry, Des Walsh, and Tickle Harbour
Today we present authors Jesse Thistle and Shelly Kawaja, playwright David Ferry, and musical guests Nico Paulo and Tickle Harbour.
Jesse Thistle is an acclaimed author, poet and scholar and arguably the most remarkable Canadian publishing story of the past decade. His sensational memoir From the Ashes spent the better part of three years on the bestseller lists. Jesse was part of our virtual festival in 2020, and we are thrilled that this year he will join us in person, reading from From The Ashes and his new book of poetry and stories, Stars and Scars.
Shelly Kawaja is a Newfoundland author who lives in Corner Brook and Norris Point. Her wonderful debut novel The Raw Light of Morning has been shortlisted for the 2022 BMO Winterset Award. Shelly will read at our New Voices event.
David Ferry is a Newfoundland-born, nationally-renowned director, dramaturge, actor, and writer. He is the creative force behind Short Waves/Short Stories, a piece of Writers at Woody Point festival magic, and this year it returns live on Sunday morning for the first time since the pandemic (venue to be announced….) This year’s radio play will feature Kain and Abel, adapted from David’s own theatre piece. It tells the story of itinerant labourer and hitchhiker Jimmy J who is haunted by the murder of a young Jamaican man on a tobacco farm. David describes Kain and Abel as blues prose, laced through with music. It is darkly humorous, disturbing and has some strong language and violent content.
If you were with us in 2021, you will remember Nico Paulo from her appearance with Woody Point favourite Tim Baker – and especially for her haunting rendition of Wild Mountain Thyme. Whether singing traditional music, Portuguese fado or her own compositions, Nico is a stunning talent on the rise. This summer we welcome her back to Woody Point to delight us with songs from her self-titled first solo album coming this April.
This is 20th year of Writers at Woody Point – and the 20th year of Des Walsh at Woody Point. He is our bard and our guiding spirit. And this year as a special treat he’ll be bringing along Tickle Harbour, an iconic Newfoundland band started by Des and his brother Don Walsh. They’ve been at it almost 45 years and unlike most super-groups, the original line-up remains intact. They’ll be joined by Nadine Hollett, a wonderful singer. (In keeping with the tardy reputation of the group, they’ve not yet confirmed their other guest musician, but stay tuned…) In addition to playing the Sunday matinee in the theatre, Tickle Harbour will be part of the Friday night session and the Des Walsh Experience at the Merchant on Saturday afternoon.
