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waterloopo�ers.ca NOV. 17, 18 & 19, 2017 FRIDAY 1 pm to 9:30 pm SATURDAY 10 am to 6 pm SUNDAY noon to 4 pm over 50 potters! Forbes Family Hall in the Manulife Sportsplex, RIM Park FREE ADMISSION POTTERY SALE NOV. 17, 18 & 19, 2017 FRIDAY 1 pm to 9:30 pm SATURDAY 10 am to 6 pm SUNDAY noon to 4 pm over 50 potters! Forbes Family Hall in the 22 • WATERLOO CHRONICLE • Th ursday, November 16, 2017 Serving your community since 1856 ARTS FOCUS By Joy Struthers Chronicle Sta� The Waterloo Public Library (WPL) is doing something a little bit diff erent for its annu-al fundraiser this year. After Hours @ Th e Library will have a more casual setting, according to Anjana Kipfer, man- ager of marketing and communications. "You can actually get up close and person- al with some of your favourite writers … We're excited to have everyone from diff erent genres who appeal to different demographics," said Kipfer. Th is year they invited four authors, Ian Ham- ilton, Donna-Marie Pye, Carrie Snyder and Andrew Pyper, to the main branch of the library on Nov. 17. Th e successful authors will be avail- able to chat and mingle with people at the event as well as sign books. Th e main goal is to raise money for children's programming and technology at the library. "In the past we have purchased iPads for our children's department, digital software, a VHS to DVD converter, robotics building for kids and those type of things," said Kipfer. She said they also have a whole slew of food sponsors. "Some have been here year after year which is pretty incredible," said Kipfer. Tickets are $50 and include one drink ticket and all you can eat appetizers. Th ere are draw prizes to be won and there will be a silent auction people can take part in with bigger items includ- ing two tickets anywhere WestJet fl ies. "Th e uptown businesses have taken quite a hit over the last several years, but they are always willing to donate to the fundraiser. It's incredible that we have that kind of support," said Kipfer. She said the library is also pleased to show- case local talent. Some writers, like Snyder have had a consistent presence at local events. "She's always been a fantastic supporter of the library. She participated the fi rst year we did this fundraiser, in 2014, and we are happy to have her back," said Kipfer. Snyder said she is willing to answer any ques- tions that come. "I think I can speak to a lot of diff erent things like the industry, the actual craft, how the heck do you balance your life and have time to do the things that you want," said Snyder, whose short story collection Th e Juliet Stories was a nominee for the Governor General's Award. As a busy writer, teacher at the University of Waterloo and mother, she has to schedule time to work, and the progress on writing can be slow. "My life is full of lots of things … I live in the world and I hope that benefi ts my writing," said Snyder. She said that while working as a writer for 20 years she has faced many rejections. "You're going to be rejected at every point in your career, and sometimes you should be," said Snyder, who is happy her fi rst novel was never published. She is working on a new book and hopes it will be as successful as her last one, Girl Runner, which sold internationally. "It took a lot of work to promote it and it took a lot out of me to be honest. I also think it was an amazing gift and I'm so thankful that I had the opportunity, but it has made writing the next book more challenging," said Snyder. She said she wants to write a certain type of novel; one that is serious, and about difficult things, but has a lightness to it. She also decided to branch out into children's books, which gave her a break from the style of writing she normally focuses on. Her second one, Jammie Day, will be launched at the WPL children's department Nov. 25. Th ere will be a reading, activities, and prizes for those who come dressed in their pyjamas. Tickets for After Hours @ The Library are available to purchase online or at all WPL loca- tions. Information can be found at afterhours. wpl.ca. After Hours @ � e Library going casual with local authors JOY STRUTHERS PHOTO Carrie Snyder shows her newest children's book, Jammie Day!, at the Waterloo Public Library. Snyder is one of the authors who will be available to talk at After Hours @ The Library Nov. 17. Th e Grand River Jazz Society presents three spectacular concerts at the Jazz Room this week starting Th ursday night at the historic Huether Hotel. Th e shows begin on Th ursday evening with the Jason Raso Funktet, followed by the Nick Maclean Quartet on Friday. Th e weekend closes with Calgary singer Johanna Sillanpaa on Satur- day evening. Over the past two decades, eight albums and countless live performances, bassist Jason Raso has shown that he not only has the skills to pay the bills, but more often than not, enough musi- cal currency left over at the end of the month to make good on the debts other musicians have welched on. A Hartke Canadian Artist Search Winner (2010), Raso is a master of the four and six-string bass guitar whose music has been heard on public radio and jazz stations around the globe. And because seeing is believing, his virtuosity has also brought him in front of the camera to play for television viewers across Canada. At this show, the Funktet will launch their new CD "The Jason Raso Funktet Live At The Jazz Room" recorded live earlier this year. Th e band includes Raso on bass, Alexis Baro on trumpet, Brent Rowan on sax, Thomas Ham- merton on keyboards /piano, Tyler Wagler on guitar and Adam Bowman on drums. On Friday evening, the Nick Maclean Quar- tet visits the Jazz Room. Th is contemplative and often thrilling quartet's explorations of modern, original repertoire is led by a fast-rising star in Toronto's jazz piano community, 26 year old Nick Maclean. Formed in 2016, Maclean's foursome deliv- ers jazz between the two poles of thoughtful introspection and powerhouse conveyance, tak- ing infl uences from Herbie Hancock's primor- dial 1960s Blue Note era recordings, while pay- ing tribute to some of the greatest improvisers in jazz history. Th e band features one of Canada's most provocative improvising trumpet-playing iconoclasts -- Brownman Ali. The rest of the lineup features Maclean on keyboards, Jesse Dietschi on bass and Tyler Goertzen on drums. Swedish-born and Calgary-based vocalist Johanna Sillanpaa will make her first visit to the Jazz Room on Saturday. For every style of music that Johanna Sillanpaa explores, there's a vibrant colour in her voice to match. Sillanpaa's vocals are expertly clear, gently raw and yet intensely bold. She performs thoughtful jazz you can dig your heels into. She and her ensemble have played everywhere from intimate jazz joints across North America and Europe all the way to performing in front of the 60,000-plus crowds of the Montreal Jazz Festival. Beyond fi lling venues in Canada and abroad, Sillanpaa's previous solo albums have also drawn their fair share of accolades and award nominations. Her music has garnered 2007 and 2012 nominations for Western Canadian Music Awards as well as Best Female Vocalist and Group/Duo of the Year at the 2010 Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards. Her all-star band features George Koller on bass, Mark Kelso on drums and Atilla Fias on piano. Th e Grand River Jazz Society is an all volun- teer organization. Volunteers are always wel- come to help greet patrons at the door and gen- erally assist in managing the events. Th ursday concerts start at 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday concerts start at 8:30 p.m. For more information, please visit kwjazz- room.com. Th ree great concerts at the Jazz Room