Walking on the Moon – FREE

Wednesday, February 1, 2017, @ 7pm 2nd Floor, Memorial Park Library 1221 2 St SW, Calgary Free admission / RSVP required [gdlr_button href="http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/Xx07hf2Qgc2qeTWfd51E1I" target="_self" size="medium" background="#358CCB" color="#ffffff" border_color="#999999"]Please RSVP[/gdlr_button] Join Wordfest for a celebration and launch of Stephen W. Shawcross’ latest novel, hosted by Shelley Youngblut. Admission to this free event is restricted to patrons who RSVP through wordfest.com.

About Walking on the Moon by Stephen W. Shawcross

It’s the summer of 1969, the summer of love. Amidst the excitement of Neil Armstrong’s moon walk, hosers Ralph and Billy decide to hitchhike to Woodstock, 3 days of peace and music in White Lake, New York. Along the way they encounter situations and circumstances that challenge their small town sensibilities, along with a host of archetypal characters: hipsters, iconoclasts and freaks; hucksters, smugglers and charlatans; bikers, flower children and purveyors of new age enlightenment. Their epic journey of a thousand misadventures perfectly captures the zeitgeist of the era in all its attendant grooviness as they edge inexorably to their intended destination.

About Stephen W. Shawcross

Born on father’s 27th birthday, pints all around. Quickly falls in with gang of junior teddy boys where he earns the nickname “Sureshot Shawcross” due to accuracy with a catapult. Burns down abandoned army camp after starting largest grass fire ever witnessed in British Isles including Jersey and Guernsey. Subsequently flees to Canada. Takes up ice hockey and fighting (oftentimes indistinguishable). In 1965, joins rock group “The Knack”, playing first gig for the princely sum of $8. Dance shuts down early on account of brawl with town hoods. Graduates high school in 1969 after five year running battle with principal over length of hair. Enters York University, wreaking havoc with various subversive organizations including Jewish Defense League, Black Panthers and Weather Underground, Toronto Chapter. Gets married and takes year off studies, working as “wedge man” on tree-felling crew in dead of Canadian winter. Did he learn nothing in school? Graduates University in 1973, Magna Cum Laude (kidding). Tours Europe in British ambulance with glam-rock band “Ginger Muff”. Quickly tires of wearing makeup so gets real job. Quickly loses real job but creates major headlines after exposing corrupt bureaucracy. Quickly learns that you can’t eat headlines. Takes 1979 off to tour Europe and North Africa with wife (same one). Starts water fight with gullible Australians (aren’t they all?) in sacred fountain in Morocco. Subsequently flees continent. For next 40 years attempts to juggle career, wife, kids, assorted jazz gigs, painting, killer squash game, and the odd night of high stakes poker. Takes sabbatical in ’04. Finishes writing first novel in Venice. Runaway Summer tops Calgary Herald best seller list for 32 weeks in 2007. Follows up with A Fearful Symmetry in 2010 and another stint on the best seller list. In the real world, Stephen Shawcross is an urban planner and partner in Canada’s number one and the world’s fifth largest architectural practice, IBI Group. [gdlr_divider type="solid" size="100%" ] [gdlr_button href="http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/Xx07hf2Qgc2qeTWfd51E1I" target="_self" size="medium" background="#358CCB" color="#ffffff" border_color="#999999"]Please RSVP[/gdlr_button]