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A couple of years ago, in my final year of university, I caught wind of a Diaspora Dialogues event held in conjunction with the Toronto-wide festival: Keep Toronto Reading. I had never heard of KTR, nor had I ever attended a reading before. Though I had heard about various literary events happening around Toronto, I'd made lots of excuses not to go. The commute sucked, I should probably spend my extra time studying or working, and I wasn't too crazy about attending events where I didn't know anyone. The bottom line: The event was out of my comfort zone.

At the time, however, I had just discovered Diaspora Dialogues and its mentorship program. I entertained hopes of applying that year, and thought my chances of acceptance would be better if I got a better feel of the organization. With that being said, I determined upon attending the Diaspora Dialogues/KTR event.

Having been a novice in attendance, I had no clue what to expect. What ensued that night was a series of readings by Anthony De Sa, Cesar Polvarosa Jr, and the MAD Poet. The MAD Poet's spoken word especially struck me. I'm shy to admit it, but hearing her made me misty eyed. Before that moment, I never understood poetry readings. The idea triggered images of people dressed in black turtlenecks sitting in darkened rooms, snapping their fingers. The Diaspora Dialogues event did not exude any of this imagined artsy fartsy pretension. Instead, it was touching and sincere (Yes, I know this sounds like artsy fartsy pretension, but you can't knock it until you try it).

After that one night, I was hooked. KTR changed the game for me. It brought me out of my shell. Afterwards, I attended it all - arts festivals, readings, workshops, and panel discussions. If an event sounded interesting, I attended and always had a good time.

Of course, Keep Toronto Reading is happening again this year. It lasts all of April, and offers a special focus on Judy Fong Bates's Midnight at the Dragon Cafe as Toronto's celebrated One Book. Below is a quick list of events I'm looking forward to. The entire program may be found on the Toronto Public Library website here (http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/ktr/). I strongly encourage everyone to check out at least one or two events this year.

Have you ever participated in KTR? If so, how was your experience? If not, are you planning on going? Are there any particular events that you find interesting? Let us know!

Buy a Book Mondays - hosted alternately at Yonge/Dundas and Finch stations - purchase 5 used books for $1 each and get a brand new book for free.

Diaspora Dialogues Reading series - Friday evenings at various Toronto Public Library branches featuring Toronto's diverse literary voices held

April 2 - Your Life as a Book - A creative writing workshop with Judie Oron

April 7 - Book Exchange - A book swap with celebrities and other readers taking place at the Toronto Reference Library

April 13 - Return to the Dragon Café - An evening celebrating Toronto's One Book with tasty food, literary company, and Judy Fong Bates reading from Midnight at the Dragon Café

April 14 - The Changing Book - A panel discussion about the future of the book

April 16 - Art Garage, Inc - An afternoon to make your own board game with the Art Garage team

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Friday Nights with Diaspora Dialogues

Our popular series in partnership with the Toronto Public Library's Keep Toronto Reading Festival is back - in a new location! Join us in the Atrium at the Toronto Reference Library for our uniquely eclectic program of readings and performances.

Keep Toronto Reading is Toronto Public Library's month-long, city-wide celebration of books and reading.

April 8, 15 and 29, 7 pm
Atrium, Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street
Free!

Friday, April 8 - 7:00 PM
Readings by Andrew Pyper, Rupinder Gill, Faye Guenther and Carrianne Leung
Excerpted play reading of LOVESEXMONEY by Kat Sandler
Spoken word by Ian Kamau
Hosted by Dalton Higgins

Friday, April 15 - 7:00 PM
Readings by James Bartleman, Cynthia Holz, Alicia Peres and Allyson Blood
Excerpted play reading of Cycle of a Sari by nisha ahuja
The Wind in the Leaves Collective presents a performance of poetry by charles c. smith
Hosted by Dalton Higgins

Friday, April 29 - 7:00 PM
Readings by Jacob McArthur Mooney, Adebe DeRango-Adem and Joyce Wayne
Excerpted play reading of Complex by Rebecca Applebaum
Spoken word by Angelica LeMinh
Hosted by Dalton Higgins

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