The Lonely End of the Rink book tour dates announced

POKE CHECK! (photo by C.McAvoy)

On October 24, 2013, CBC personality and award-winning author Grant Lawrence releases his second book, The Lonely End of the Rink: Confessions of a Reluctant Goalie, on Douglas and McIntyre. In celebration of the new memoir chronicling Lawrence’s love/hate relationship with Canada’s national winter sport, book launch events have been announced in cities across the country with more to follow.

“Whether I’m on radio, TV, or at a book reading, I truly love interacting with audiences”, says Lawrence. “For years I was a touring musician with my band the Smugglers, so being on the road is in my blood. I can’t wait to get back out there and share stories from the new book”.

All events will include Grant reading or telling stories from the new book, as well as a slide presentation, a short film, Q+A, book signing, and live musical performances from special guests in select cities.

Thu Oct 24, Vancouver Launch Party, BC Sports Hall of Fame, Vancouver BC, 7pm-9pm, w/ musical appearance by Bodhi Jones. Presented by BCSHF, Douglas and McIntyre, and Phillips Brewing. RSVP at Facebook event page.

Fri Oct 25, Victoria Launch Party, Copper Owl, Victoria BC, 7pm, musical performance by Matt Lockhart. Presented by Bolen Books. RSVP at the Facebook event page.

Sat Oct 26, Community Theatre, Tofino BC, 7pm

Sun Oct 27, Laughing Oyster Books, Courtenay BC, 3pm

Mon Oct 28, Java Shack, Campbell River BC, 7pm

Tue Oct 29, Nanaimo Public Library, Nanaimo BC, 6pm

Wed Oct 30, Lefty’s Restaurant, Parksville BC, 6pm

Thu Nov 7, Arts Centre, Sechelt BC, 7pm

Fri Nov 8, Rainbow Room, Rodmay Hotel, Powell River BC, 7pm, w/ musical performance from Slim Milkie, presented by Breakwater Books.

Thu Nov 14, Public Library, Prince George BC, 6pm

Fri Nov 15 Public Library, Fraser Lake BC, 1pm

Fri Nov 15, Public Library, Fort St. James BC, 7pm

Sat Nov 16, Public Library, McBride BC, 2pm

Sat Nov 16, Public Library, Valemount BC, 7pm

Sat Nov 23, Drawn and Quarterly, Montreal QC, 7pm

Sun Nov 24, Kingston Brew Pub, Kingston ON, 2pm w/ musical performance by Matthew Barber

Mon Nov 25, Phog Lounge, Windsor ON, 7pm w/ musical performance by Crissi Cochrane

Tue Nov 26, Landon Library (not a misprint), London ON, 7pm, w/ musical performance by Marty Kolls.

Wed Nov 27, Toronto Launch Party, Gladstone Hotel Ballroom, Toronto ON, 8pm-10pm, w/ musical appearance by Matthew Barber, interview by Kevin Sylvester. Presented by This Is Not A Reading Series and Douglas and McIntyre. RSVP at the Facebook event page.

Thu Nov 28, tba, Hamilton ON

Fri Nov 29, Pressed, Ottawa ON, 7pm. RSVP at the Facebook event page.

Fri Dec 6, Amigo’s, Saskatoon SK, w/ musical performance by Maybe Smith.

Sat Dec 7, Bruno Artsbank, Bruno SK, w/ musical performance by Maybe Smith.

Sun Dec 8, Public Library, St. Albert AB

Mon Dec 9, National Music Centre, Calgary AB, w/ musical performance by KJ Jansen (Chixdiggit)

Tue Dec 10, Public Library, Cranbrook BC

Wed Dec 11, Public Library, Kimberley BC

Thu Dec 12, Public Library, Fernie BC

Advanced praise for The Lonely End of the Rink:

“Soul-searching, candid and clever” – Ron MacLean, Hockey Night In Canada

“Like David Sedaris in a Canadian tuxedo” – Boyd Devereaux, Stanley Cup Champion, Detroit Red Wings

“Heartbreaking and hilarious” – Angie Abdou, author, The Bone Cage

“It’s not always pretty, but this is a funny, poignant, and very Canadian story”. – Kevin Sylvester, CBC broadcaster