David O’Meara and the Plan 99 Reading Series
photo courtesy of fieldtrip – Behind a reading scene – December 4th, 2009 by Brendan McNally – David O’Meara and the Plan 99 Reading Series
“I never thought we’d celebrate the tenth anniversary,” says David O’Meara of Plan 99, the Ottawa “gold standard” reading series he co-founded with Chris Swail in 1999. “I’m just saying so,” Dave adds, “because at the beginning we weren’t sure we knew what we were doing.” Dave points to the name of the series itself as an example of this. “The name came partly from the year we started, and partly as a play on the name of the sci-fi movie Planet 9 from Outer Space.”
But figure things out and celebrate they did, marking the milestone this past October with a special reading hosted by the Ottawa International Writer’s Fest.
When Dave isn’t pulling pints at the Manx Pub, he’s busy writing poems that have established himself “as one of the best contemporary poets in Canada” according to Canadian Notes & Queries. He’s also organizing guests for his timeslot on CKCU-FM’s Literary Landscapes, and he’s planning Plan 99. “I carry my notebook with me, pencil ready.” Dave says, recently returned from a reading tour of festivals across Canada to promote his most recent collection, Noble Gas, Penny Black. Doing out of town readings is a great way to keep my ear to the ground. Like when I pencilled Karen Solie in after she told me she had a new collection coming out.”
Poet David O’Meara organizes the Plan 99 Reading Series.
Unlike others reading series around Ottawa, Dave and Chris decided to focus only on out of town authors to begin with. This was so Plan 99 wouldn’t just repeat the success or format of other series. Modestly, Dave tells me, “We wanted to add something new to Ottawa’s literary scene.”
But saying that Plan 99 has added something new is an understatement. Over the past decade the series has brought celebrated Canadian poets, novelists and authors down the steps to the cozy atmosphere of the Manx Pub on Elgin Street. It’s one thing to pack a bar on a busy Friday night, quite something else to jam it packed on a quiet Saturday afternoon, when readings are usually held. There is nothing like being in a small bar with sixty other people, all quietly listening to the eloquence of Robyn Sarah, the insights of Carmine Starnino, the raw power of Ken Babstock or the drama of Lisa Moore.
“The nature of reading is that our stories, our narratives, are read, in private. It’s a very solitary thing,” Chris tells me when we have time to chat, after he’s finished helping his kids with their homework. “And what I’ve always liked about Plan 99 is that it’s one of those rare occasions where people can publicly acknowledge, validate and personally thank the writers who have greatly influenced who we are, and how we think about being Canadian. It really is an honour and a privilege to be able to help present that.”
Dave and Chris didn’t just choose the Manx as the location for Plan 99 because they work there. “Though it helps,” Dave laughs on a quiet afternoon in the pub. “But really, it’s the perfect space. Not to big, not to small. Aside from the financial support of the Pub, which is very important, the staff is very culturally engaged, so they give a huge amount of moral support to Plan 99.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40NpkuYj0fE&feature=player_embedded
David O’Meara reading “The Game” from Noble Gas, Penny Black. Brick Books.
Plan 99 is also supported by Canada Council for the Arts. Which means Dave has to organize the readings up to six months in advance, making sure he’s got all the proper forms filled out for the funding to help him welcome the cream of Canada’s literary crop to the Manx.
On the day of the readings Dave is busy organizing the incidental things, hooking up the microphone, coordinating with the kitchen, which closes for the reading. The Manx doesn’t play piped in music, or have televisions sets, which is a great feature for people who want to have quiet conversations. So another job Dave has is to gently inform those patrons there is a reading coming up, inviting them to stay, but pointing out the sign that says, “Shhhhhh….reading in progress.”
As far as a personal motivation, Dave has, “always had a deep and abiding interest in literature so I’ve enjoyed hosting the series and it’s been a great ten years.”
Another understatement, because it’s been way more than great.
photo courtesy of fieldtrip [see above]
The Plan 99 Reading Series continues, hosting two more excellent readings before Christmas at The Manx Pub, 370 Elgin Street.
This Saturday, November 28th, Kingston writer Mark Sinnett reads, followed by Toronto based Karen Solie next Saturday, December 5th. Both readings are at 5pm. Thanks to the Manx and the Canada Council, readings are free.
For more information on the series, email Chris Swail at chrisswail@rogers.com
David O’Meara’s next reading in Ottawa is at the House Band Reading Series, Thursday December 17th, 9-11pm, at Raw Sugar Café, 692 Somerset Street West. $5.00, or pay what you can.
Brendan McNally is a graduate of the Humber College School for Writers, Creative Writing Mentorship Program. He also runs the House Band Reading Series.
http://www.ottawatonite.com/2009/12/david-omeara-and-the-plan-99-reading-series/
Tags: David O'Meara; Canadian poetry; English literature; Bri, Nobe Gas Penny Black
This entry was posted on Thursday, December 31st, 2009 at 4:46 pm and is filed under Canadian poetry, English literature, Poetry, Reading/event, Recommended, interview. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
