London Open Mic Poetry was proud to host London’s most well-known member of the Canadian literary scene, Don Gutteridge, who launched his 20th book of poetry, "Inundations", published by Hidden Brook Press: Brighton, 2016, before an audience of 53.
Don's poems of the home and village he grew up in, Point Edward, Ontario, and of the wonderfully eccentric characters who lived there, were very warmly accepted by his large audience. Those who hadn't experienced this kind of life as children wished they had, after listening to his poetic stories. As Don said in our interview, "The poems are a place of safekeeping for memories, thoughts and emotions. They also serve to trace my inner development as a human being: father, grandfather, custodian of the family and historical memory....I’ve created a Point Edward in my memory and given it a mythical quality (as every-village). And such a creation enhances my own memories about the town."
Sarnia-born Gutteridge, Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Education at Western, is the author of more than fifty books, including poetry, fiction and scholarly works in educational theory and practice. In 1972 he won the President’s Medal at The University of Western Ontario for his poem "Death At Quebec". Among his best-known poems are the mythic tetralogy: Riel: A Poem For Voices, Coppermine: The Quest For North, Borderlands, and Tecumseh. Gutteridge is best known across Canada for his historical fiction. He has also recently produced a series of mystery novels, The Marc Edwards Mysteries.
COMPLETE PLAYLIST of the Nov. 2nd, 2016 London Open Mic, featuring Donald Gutteridge. Included are videos of poets Frank Beltrano, Alan Leangvan, David Stones, Richard Weston, Wendi Waters, Stan Burfield, Ralph Graham, Zoe Button, Robin Marie Butt, Gloria Alvernaz Mulcahy, and Paul Branton.
Don's poems of the home and village he grew up in, Point Edward, Ontario, and of the wonderfully eccentric characters who lived there, were very warmly accepted by his large audience. Those who hadn't experienced this kind of life as children wished they had, after listening to his poetic stories. As Don said in our interview, "The poems are a place of safekeeping for memories, thoughts and emotions. They also serve to trace my inner development as a human being: father, grandfather, custodian of the family and historical memory....I’ve created a Point Edward in my memory and given it a mythical quality (as every-village). And such a creation enhances my own memories about the town."
Sarnia-born Gutteridge, Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Education at Western, is the author of more than fifty books, including poetry, fiction and scholarly works in educational theory and practice. In 1972 he won the President’s Medal at The University of Western Ontario for his poem "Death At Quebec". Among his best-known poems are the mythic tetralogy: Riel: A Poem For Voices, Coppermine: The Quest For North, Borderlands, and Tecumseh. Gutteridge is best known across Canada for his historical fiction. He has also recently produced a series of mystery novels, The Marc Edwards Mysteries.
COMPLETE PLAYLIST of the Nov. 2nd, 2016 London Open Mic, featuring Donald Gutteridge. Included are videos of poets Frank Beltrano, Alan Leangvan, David Stones, Richard Weston, Wendi Waters, Stan Burfield, Ralph Graham, Zoe Button, Robin Marie Butt, Gloria Alvernaz Mulcahy, and Paul Branton.
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