Writers such as Margaret Atwood, Ken Babstock, and George Bowering will be at The Telus Centre for Performance and Learning in early February to benefit the preservation of the A-frame built by late poet Al Purdy.
Purdy and his wife built the waterfront home in Prince Edward County in the late ‘50s—back when he was a struggling poet—and a few years ago, Cottage Life featured the historic building in the magazine.
The A-frame and surrounding area is not only featured prominently in many of Purdy’s poems, but it was also a meeting place—for poets and poetry lovers. According to the Al Purdy A-frame Association, “the list of people who traveled to the A-frame reads like a who’s-who of Canadian letters…the house draws people in.” Names like Margaret Laurence, Margaret Atwood, and Michael Ondaatje were known to have visited the cottage.
In an effort to continue that tradition, the Al Purdy A-frame Association is hosting a fundraiser on February 6, 2013, which will help them preserve the building and transform it into a writer’s retreat. It will provide a time and place for writers to work that is not only attractive, but also holds special historical significance.
The night will be filled with musical acts, including a performance by Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip, poetry, and various Purdy memorabilia that will be made available through a silent auction. For more information about the evening or to purchase tickets, see the Al Purdy A-frame Association.
