Lexiconjury: The sugar and melancholy edition

Very, very early on the morning of Valentine's Day, those crazy kids from newmindspace were out on Queen St. with a crew of friends, showing Toronto just how much they love it. I wasn't with them, but on Tuesday evening, I followed the trail of pink hearts they'd left on the sidewalk up to the door of the Cameron House for the special Valentine's edition of Lexiconjury. (Click on the newmindspace link for links to lots of photos of a heart-sprinkled Queen West.)

Curated by Sharon Harris, appropriately enough, Tuesday's reading was a bittersweet event. Bitter because we've all just learned that, after 5 years, Bill and Angela have decided that this will be the final season of Lexiconjury. The last Lex will be in June. But sweetened by the chocolates Sharon handed round, and by excellent readings by Stephen Cain, Suzanne Zelazo and Lynn McClory. Steve Cain, York English Lit prof and father to a toddler, remarked that his current influences include the Situationists and Goodnight Moon, and read an academic's alphabet poem that I need a copy of. There was also a solid open mike set, which featured Bill reading -- what else? -- his "Romanceturgy."

Talk turned, naturally, to what we will do when Lex is no more. Jesse envisioned starting a reading series of his own, where people would read quietly to themselves, like in study hall. Boys and girls would not be allowed to sit together, and peashooters would be confiscated. Mark Truscott is actually in the final stages of planning a new reading series, which will be called Test. I was sitting near Mark, and over the course of the evening I think four or five people came over to him to say something like, "So, you'll be the one carrying the torch, eh?" No pressure or anything.

A few photos here.