1. Scotiabank Giller Prize Gala
Linden MacIntyre’s novel The Bishop’s Man was awarded the $50,000 prize in this prestigious juried competition for Canadian fiction last year. The 16th anniversary Giller gala returns to the Four Seasons Hotel on November 9.
2. International Festival of Authors
This literary gathering, held at Harbourfront Centre, consists of more than 60 events, including the opening night benefit for PEN Canada (which promotes freedom of expression) and closing night readings by Giller Prize-nominated authors. The 2010 festival takes place in late October.
3. Idea City Conference
Last year, a NASA project manager and a laughologist were among the 50 presenters who addressed a sold-out crowd during this Moses Znaimer-produced conference, dubbed “Canada’s premier meeting of the minds.” The 2010 conference takes place from June 16 to 18 in Koerner Hall at the Telus Centre for Performance and Learning.
4. The Canadian Journalism Foundation Awards Gala
60 Minutes correspondent Morley Safer, a Toronto native, received a special tribute, and Governor General Michaëlle Jean presented Joe Schlesinger with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the foundation’s 12th annual gala last June. Peter Mansbridge hosts the 2010 gala at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel on June 10.
5. MagNet—Canada’s Magazine Conference
MagNet, which attracts around 1,000 publishers, editors, and advertising representatives, is Canada’s premier public policy, professional development, and networking conference for magazine professionals. Presented by four industry associations, the conference is set for June 1 to 4.
6. National Magazine Awards Gala
Last year, the National Magazine Awards Foundation recognized excellence in Web-based and online-only magazines for the first time. AlbertaViews took home the award for magazine of the year. The 33rd annual gala is scheduled for June 4.
7. International Press Freedom Awards
This gala, presented by Canadian Journalists for Free Expression, recognizes foreign journalists who regularly face obstacles in order to get the news out. Recipients honoured at the December gala, held at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, included Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta and an Iranian journalist and women’s rights activist. Details for the 2010 awards had not been confirmed by press time.
8. Word on the Street Festival
This literary festival—also held in Vancouver, Halifax, and Kitchener—marked its 20th anniversary in 2009 and included an appearance by Margaret Atwood, who headlined the Bestsellers Stage. The event drew more than 200,000 attendees and included some 250 book and magazine exhibits. The 2010 event will take place on the lawn at Queen’s Park in late September.
Correction: This story has been updated to reflect a change in venue for the Idea City Conference.
