Sheldon L'henaff

Hey everyone! Make sure you swing by Evolution Wonderlounge this Thursday and support your local authors!

Some important things to remember about Pride this year, courtesy of the fabulous folks at Evolution.

Some reminders:

1. Venues and events are going to be busier than normal. Go out earlier or be prepared for longer than average wait times for entry
2. Buy tickets in advance. This helps venues staff, and usually results in your either saving cash or reducing your wait time.
3. Have your ID. This isn’t the time of year to get to the doors of a venue and realize you’re missing out on getting in because your ID is expired
4. Venue and event staff and performers are probably working longer than normal hours, so if you can tip more than normal, they sure appreciate it
5. Lots of pop up events are happening. Remember it’s okay to ask how proceeds are benefitting q***r and trans people.
6. Go out with the intention of having fun, and chances are, that’s exactly what you’ll have.
7. Remember everyone’s views on what pride is and should be are different, and that’s okay. There’s room for all colours in the rainbow. But remember there’s an inherent political aspect that cannot be denied. There are battles yet to be won!
8. Allow yourself moments of q***r joy. It’s okay to just celebrate. With the world the way it is, we sure as heck deserve it.
9. Bi/pan people belong at Pride, so don’t assume that straight-appearing couple are crashing the party.
10. Consent is mandatory, and needs to be ongoing, informed, and enthusiastic. No “no” isn’t consent; consent = yes
11. Stay hydrated, it’s a marathon not a sprint.
12. Make smart, safe choices when it comes to drugs, s*x, and your heart. You’re beautiful, and we want you around us for many Prides to come

It's Freedom to Read Week. Here is a list of books that have been challenged and censored in Canada.

29 books that were challenged in Canada | CBC Books Freedom to Read Week, which takes place Feb. 20–26, 2022, highlights the importance of Canadians' intellectual freedom.

Lest we forget.

Leonard Cohen recites “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae | Legion Magazine Rest in Peace Leonard Cohen. In fall 2015, Legion Magazine and Leonard Cohen released a video to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the poem “In Flanders F...

COVER REVEAL/NOW AVAILABLE

Released over a decade ago, Drowned World is the first novel in a series that introduced Scott Riley & co. to the world. The author's debut novel, it is a snapshot examining q***r love in the age of s*x, drugs, and techno.

This special re-release was put together just in time for Pride during the summer. It includes a new introduction by the author, as well as an essential playlist which served as a soundtrack to the novel.

You can order the novel directly from the Trafford website. Edmonton readers can visit Audreys Books downtown to pick up a copy.

https://www.trafford.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/804998-drowned-world

It's coming...keep watching this space for a very fabulous announcement.

Hey everyone,
Indie bookstores are still some of the most important voices in our local community. Keep our local bookstores strong.

So, a bit of NEWS that some of you have been waiting for:

Monday, July 5 is the day we begin returning to full service. With the help of a wonderful group of customers who have supported us so well through the past year, we are now in a position to be able to welcome you back into our store for browsing.

We have waited for our staff to be fully vaccinated before reopening, but there will still be some conditions in place for the ongoing protection of our staff and customers. While only 40% of Albertans are fully vaccinated and there are "variants of concern" still circulating, we will require everyone who enters to hand sanitize, wear a mask, and maintain social distancing. We can only operate safely if we all act respectfully to protect one another.

It's a small inconvenience for the opportunity to reclaim a little more of the parts of our lives we took for granted. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

CURBSIDE SERVICE IS STILL AVAILABLE!
WE ARE ALSO OFFERING FREE DELIVERY FOR ORDERS OVER $50*
AND A MINIMAL $5.00 FEE FOR ORDERS UNDER $50.00*
*GREATER EDMONTON AREA (EDMONTON, SHERWOOD PARK, ST. ALBERT)*

ORDER ONLINE @ audreys.ca OR BY PHONE OR EMAIL

PLEASE NOTE WE ARE OPEN NEW HOURS:(TEMPORARILY)
MONDAY-FRIDAY 9:30 AM-6 PM
SATURDAYS 9:30 AM-5:30 PM
SUNDAYS 12-5 PM

Photography by Patrick Loveday.

Make sure to check out this exhibit and show some love to a truly unique voice in the art world.

Meet Lisa Mayes. She is a local artist born of Acadian, African American, Muscogee Creek, Irish and Scottish heritage. Mayes produces multidisciplinary works about diaspora, the other, place and heritage affected by intergenerational trauma. Her practice examines manifestations of narrative, belonging, colonial legacy and the rendering of the notions of truth. Inspired by the interactions of production of knowledge, artifacts, folk literature, visual culture and how they interact with social constructs and our environment. It unfolds new narratives through installation, video, painting and sculpture. By situating herself as the storyteller, Mayes effectively reclaims the story and subverts established narratives to make room for the other and welcomes a reimagined place with inclusion. Since the late 1990’s Mayes has been an interdisciplinary artist with a background in theatre, dance and visual arts.

Check out her work here: Website: https://lisamayes.org/

See her work as part of the exhibit at opening end of March 2021 *TBC based on COVID-19 restrictions!



Register to stay informed on AGA Event 'Black Every Day' here: https://www.youraga.ca/exhibitions/black-every-day

Instagram: .Mayes.Artist





This campaign needs you now Call for the immediate release of Sama Abdulhadi

It's Christmas Eve, and it's the twelfth day of the Christmas playlist that inspired Joy (Maybe this Christmas). Thank you for taking this small trip with me, and letting me share with you some of the soundtrack that inspired my Christmas novel.

And for those that haven’t read it yet, you have a whole year to catch up for next Christmas. Make sure to pick up your copy from your local bookstore. Edmonton’s Audreys Books has copies in stock, as well as chapters.indigo.ca, and www.trafford.com. Or visit www.becomingremixednovel.com.

This next selection is one of my very first, and favorite memories of Christmas. A Charlie Brown Christmas has always been one of my favorite animated specials. Merry Christmas everyone, and all the fabulous in 2021.

Vince Guaraldi Trio - Christmas Time Is Here (Instrumental) Music video by Vince Guaraldi Trio performing Christmas Time Is Here. (C) 2012 Concord Music Group, Inc.

Welcome to day eleven of the twelve days playlist. A song for every day prior to Christmas that served as inspiration to Joy. A lot of these songs are standard classics, while some of these have inadvertently been adopted into holiday cannon. For those of you who have read this gay Christmas novel, try and pinpoint which song belongs where.

And for those that haven’t, make sure to pick up your copy from your local bookstore. Edmonton’s Audreys Books has copies in stock, as well as chapters.indigo.ca, and www.trafford.com. Or visit www.becomingremixednovel.com.

So this next selection has significantly fond memories for me. We would hear this Canadian Christmas standard on FM radio as we would drive around and look at Christmas lights and various neighborhoods that had gone all out in decorations. Without further ado, Bob & Doug McKenzie...

Twelve Days of Christmas Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupTwelve Days of Christmas · Bob & Doug McKenzieGreat White North℗ 1981 Anthem Records Inc.Released on: 1981-01-01A...

Welcome to day ten of the twelve days playlist. A song for every day prior to Christmas that served as inspiration to Joy. A lot of these songs are standard classics, while some of these have inadvertently been adopted into holiday cannon. For those of you who have read this gay Christmas novel, try and pinpoint which song belongs where.

And for those that haven’t, make sure to pick up your copy from your local bookstore. Edmonton’s Audreys Books has copies in stock, as well as chapters.indigo.ca, and www.trafford.com. Or visit www.becomingremixednovel.com.

I was really hesitant at first to post another version of "Silent Night." Enya's version I felt had really encapsulated that song's haunting undertone to a T. Then I discovered this version and was floored by it's simplicity. Sinead O'Connor did an amazing reinterpretation of this song.

Sinéad O'Connor - Silent Night [Official Music Video] Follow Sinéad O'Connor: Listen to Sinéad Online - https://Sinead.lnk.to/ListenSubscribe - https://Sinead.lnk.to/SubscribeFacebook - https://Sinead.lnk.to/FBT...

Welcome to day nine of the twelve days playlist. A song for every day prior to Christmas that served as inspiration to Joy. A lot of these songs are standard classics, while some of these have inadvertently been adopted into holiday cannon. For those of you who have read this gay Christmas novel, try and pinpoint which song belongs where.

And for those that haven’t, make sure to pick up your copy from your local bookstore. Edmonton’s Audreys Books has copies in stock, as well as chapters.indigo.ca, and www.trafford.com. Or visit www.becomingremixednovel.com.

Happy Xmas (War Is Over) Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupHappy Xmas (War Is Over) · John Lennon · Yoko OnoImagine℗ 2018 Calderstone Productions Limited (a division of Uni...

Welcome to day eight of the twelve days playlist. (Apparently when you're working like a crazy person, six tends to hop in there twice - apologies) A song for every day prior to Christmas that served as inspiration to Joy. A lot of these songs are standard classics, while some of these have naturally found their way into the holiday cannon. For those of you who have read this gay Christmas novel, try and pinpoint which song belongs where.

And for those that haven’t, make sure to pick up your copy from your local bookstore. Edmonton’s Audreys Books has copies in stock, as well as chapters.indigo.ca, and www.trafford.com. Or visit www.becomingremixednovel.com.

The song "River" had originally been written and recorded by folk icon Joni Mitchell, this however has been beautifully reinterpreted by Sarah Mclachlan. This was originally released on her Christmas album Wintersong.

Sarah McLachlan -- River (with lyrics) With Christmas coming, I had to re-post this great cover of Joni Mitchell's song River by Sarah McLachlan. This beautiful song is off her 2006 released Chris...

And here we are on day six of the twelve days playlist. A song for every day prior to Christmas that served as inspiration to Joy. A lot of these songs are standard classics. For those of you who have read this gay Christmas novel, try and pinpoint which song belongs where.

And for those that haven’t, make sure to pick up your copy from your local bookstore. Edmonton’s Audreys Books has copies in stock, as well as chapters.indigo.ca, and www.trafford.com. Or visit www.becomingremixednovel.com.

Blake's favorite Christmas album is the Boney M Christmas Album. It's the one he'd grown up with in his household and carries many fond memories. This is the song that closed the original version of the album.

Boney M. I'll Be Home For Chritsmas. De su album Chritsmas Album 1981

It's day six of the twelve days playlist. A song for every day prior to Christmas that served as inspiration to Joy. A lot of these songs are standard classics, while some of these have been adopted into Christmas music cannon. For those of you who have read this gay Christmas novel, try and pinpoint which song belongs where.

And for those that haven’t, make sure to pick up your copy from your local bookstore. Edmonton’s Audreys Books has copies in stock, as well as chapters.indigo.ca, and www.trafford.com. Or visit www.becomingremixednovel.com.

Today's post in the vein of T.G.I.F...

Queen - Thank God It's Christmas (Official Lyric Video) Queen icons Brian May and Roger Taylor today, Sunday December 15, posted their personal Christmas messages to worldwide fans with the gift of a new specially...

Welcome to day five of the twelve days playlist. A song for every day prior to Christmas that served as inspiration to Joy. A lot of these songs are standard classics. For those of you who have read this gay Christmas novel, try and pinpoint which song belongs where.

And for those that haven’t, make sure to pick up your copy from your local bookstore. Edmonton’s Audreys Books has copies in stock, as well as chapters.indigo.ca, and www.trafford.com. Or visit www.becomingremixednovel.com.

This is the first version of "Silent Night" that served as inspiration for the story Joy. I discovered this on an EP that was released after the Shepherd Moons album.

Oiche chiun - Enya Enya sings Oiche chiun (Silent night).

Welcome to day four of the twelve days playlist. A song for every day prior to Christmas that served as inspiration to Joy. A lot of these songs are standard classics. For those of you who have read this gay Christmas novel, try and pinpoint which song belongs where.

And for those that haven’t, make sure to pick up your copy from your local bookstore. Edmonton’s Audreys Books has copies in stock, as well as chapters.indigo.ca, and www.trafford.com. Or visit www.becomingremixednovel.com.

This selection has not only inspired Joy (Maybe The Christmas), but also has become the starting point for the work in progress that is going to be the follow up to Joy. :)

Michael Bublé - Cold December Night [Official HD] Listen to Michael's Christmas at Home Playlist: https://MichaelBuble.lnk.to/christmasathomeFrom the album 'Christmas' (Deluxe Special Edition)Stream or Downl...

So this is day three of the twelve days playlist. A song for every day prior to Christmas that served as inspiration to Joy. A lot of these songs are standard classics. For those of you who have read this gay Christmas novel, try and pinpoint which song belongs where.

And for those that haven’t, make sure to pick up your copy from your local bookstore. Edmonton’s Audreys Books has copies in stock, as well as chapters.indigo.ca, and www.trafford.com. Or visit www.becomingremixednovel.com.

Dido - Christmas Day (Audio) Dido - Christmas Day (Official Audio) Listen on Spotify - http://smarturl.it/Dido_TopTracks Listen on Apple Music - http://smarturl.it/Dido_Essentials Amazon...

Normally, about once a week and about a month and a half prior to Christmas, I’ll usually post links to songs that inspired the creation of Joy (Maybe This Christmas). A lot of these songs sountracked the various chapters in the book.

However this year, I decided to do a twelve days playlist instead. A song for every day prior to Christmas that served as inspiration to Joy. A lot of these songs are standard classics. For those of you who have read this gay Christmas novel, try and pinpoint which song belongs where.

And for those that haven’t, make sure to pick up your copy from your local bookstore. Edmonton’s Audreys Books has copies in stock, as well as chapters.indigo.ca, and www.trafford.com. Or visit www.becomingremixednovel.com.

Day two is inspired by the woman that sang the tune to THAT infamous drag number in the book. Miss Madonna 😉

Santa Baby Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupSanta Baby · MadonnaA Very Special Christmas℗ An A&M Records release; ℗ 1987 Special Olympics Productions, Inc.Re...

Normally, about once a week and about a month and a half prior to Christmas, I’ll usually post links to songs that inspired the creation of Joy (Maybe This Christmas). A lot of these songs sountracked the various chapters in the book.

However this year, I decided to do a twelve days playlist instead. A song for every day prior to Christmas that served as inspiration to Joy. A lot of these songs are standard classics. For those of you who have read this gay Christmas novel, try and pinpoint which song belongs where.

And for those that haven’t, make sure to pick up your copy from your local bookstore. Edmonton’s Audreys Books has copies in stock, as well as chapters.indigo.ca, and www.trafford.com. Or visit www.becomingremixednovel.com.

Here it is, Day One.

Tracey Thorn - Joy Music video by Tracey Thorn performing Joy. c. 2012 Strange Feeling Records, a division of Buzzin’ Fly Records

Today is world AIDS day. Please take time to remember those creative souls lost to this terrible disease, and the mark they left on the world. Despite the world being in a pandemic at the moment with COVID, we've never been so close to a cure as we are now. We must remain vigilant and not give up the fight against this awful disease.

Hi everyone, just a reminder that these shirts are still available. Check it out. 🙂

My first foray into q***r cinema was here. I'd seen the film Beautiful Thing on Valentine's Day in 1997. Later that year, I saw the Canadian film The Hanging Garden directed by Thom Fitzgerald. Donate to this fantastic cause. 🙂

Support your local bookstore!

Happy Independent Bookstore Day!

Hey everyone, check out this Edmonton, now Calgary based screenplay writer who goes by Bradley Gamborski. 🙂

Bradley Gamborski, Screenplay Semi-Finalist, LISP 2nd Quarter 2020 Screenplay Semi-Finalist, LISP 2nd Quarter 2020 Can you please tell us about your daily life? - My daily life at the moment has been pretty boring due to COVID-19, I haven't quite been able to do most of the stuff I usually do. Back in normal times, though, my daily life consisted of being around fa...

The more you know.

Gay Black Men Helped Create EDM. Why Do Straight White Men Dominate It? | Billboard In the underground clubs of the ’70s and ’80s, a marginalized community laid the foundation for today’s dance music. So why are straight white men reaping EDM’s rewards?

If you haven't yet, make sure to order your Here For Good YEG t-shirt to help out your favorite businesses like Evolution Wonderlounge. https://printmachine.ca/here-for-good/

If you get an opportunity make sure to swing by and grab a coffee from Lock Stock Coffee. 100% of sales goes to a local mentoring program called The Come Up.

Supporting Black youth in Edmonton, one coffee at a time Today your cup of coffee could be going to a good cause, by helping to uplift Black youth in Edmonton and putting a halt on racism.