Regular weekly social and co-working meetups of the Banff Writers Group take place on Sundays, from 2-4pm, at the Happy Camper Café & Bar (545 Banff Ave). Our format is: half an hour of social time, followed by an hour of quiet co-working, then another half an hour at the end for wrap up. All experience levels and projects welcome, whether you're working on a book, blog, paper, personal journal, script, or anything else, so long as it is “written.”

We’re not a critique or reading group, so there’s no need to bring anything to share with other members.

Regular weekly social and co-working meetups of the Banff Writers Group take place on Sundays, from 2-4pm, at the Happy Camper Café & Bar (545 Banff Ave). Our format is: half an hour of social time, followed by an hour of quiet co-working, then another half an hour at the end for wrap up. All experience levels and projects welcome, whether you're working on a book, blog, paper, personal journal, script, or anything else, so long as it is “written.”

We’re not a critique or reading group, so there’s no need to bring anything to share with other members.

“The Spring Writers Literary Cabarets conclude with Chapter 3.

This final evening features another distinct group of writers-in-residence presenting original work across genres, marking the closing gathering of the Spring Writing Residency at Banff Centre.

The evening is hosted by Haisla/Heiltsuk author Eden Robinson, Banff Centre alumna and returning faculty member. Her story collection Traplines won the Winifred Holtby Memorial Prize, and her novel Monkey Beach was shortlisted for the Giller Prize and the Governor General’s Literary Award for Fiction. She will guide the evening and close with a reading from her own work.

Settle in at CLVB ’33 for an evening of new writing and conversation.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m., with readings beginning at 7:00 p.m. Informal mingling continues until 9:30 p.m.”

Hosted by the Banff Centre at CLVB ’33.

“In this talk, award-winning author and playwright Drew Hayden Taylor reflects on how a young boy from Curve Lake First Nation came to share Indigenous stories with audiences around the world.

Drawing on experiences across nearly two dozen countries, Taylor explores how humour functions within Indigenous storytelling as a tool for connection, insight, and perspective. He considers the changing landscape of First Nations literature and how humour can create space for dialogue, challenge expectations, and offer new ways to engage with contemporary Indigenous life and creativity.

Facilitated by Janine Windolph, Director of Indigenous Arts at Banff Centre, the session includes a presentation by Taylor, followed by a discussion and a Q&A. This conversation will be live-streamed and recorded, with the recording shared following the event. Sessions may include sharing experiences and asking difficult questions.

About the Decolonizing the Narrative Conversation Series

The Decolonizing the Narrative Conversation Series is a bi-monthly conversation session inviting leading Indigenous Art creators to discuss their practices and processes. The series engages an Indigenous lens across various art forms, including Literary Arts, Film and Media Arts, Digital Media, Visual Arts, and Performing Arts such as Theatre, Dance, and Music. These sessions offer a space to explore and deepen your understanding of how Indigenous artists use their disciplines as tools to decolonize artistic processes and creation.”

Hosted by the Banff Centre in the Max Bell Auditorium

“The Spring Writers Literary Cabaret continues with Chapter 2.

This evening brings together a new group of writers-in-residence sharing original work across genres. Each chapter offers a different program, reflecting the range of voices participating in the Spring Writing Residency at Banff Centre.

Hosted by poet Nicole Sealey, author of The Ferguson Report: An Erasure, winner of the 2024 OCM Bocas Prize for Poetry, from which an excerpt was awarded the Forward Prize for Best Poem.  She is also the author of Ordinary Beast, a finalist for the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, and The Animal After Whom Other Animals Are Named, winner of the Drinking Gourd Chapbook Prize. She will guide the evening and conclude the program with a featured reading.

Enjoy a drink from the bar and the warm, intimate setting of CLVB ’33.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m., with readings beginning at 7:00 p.m. Stay afterward for an informal conversation with writers and faculty until 9:30 p.m.”

Hosted by the Banff Centre at CLVB ’33.

Regular weekly social and co-working meetups of the Banff Writers Group take place on Sundays, from 2-4pm, at the Happy Camper Café & Bar (545 Banff Ave). Our format is: half an hour of social time, followed by an hour of quiet co-working, then another half an hour at the end for wrap up. All experience levels and projects welcome, whether you're working on a book, blog, paper, personal journal, script, or anything else, so long as it is “written.”

We’re not a critique or reading group, so there’s no need to bring anything to share with other members.

“Join us at Cafe Books for an exciting book signing of "I Asked for a Unicorn But Life Gave Me a Zebra" by Calgary based-authors, Mary-Leigh Doyle & Anette Wichmann on Saturday 21st March 2026 at 12-4 pm.

This book springs from my personal search for the positivity I so desperately needed at a difficult time in my life. The deaths of my mother and a favourite uncle, and a difficult recovery period for my husband after hip surgery, weighed heavily on me. 

The moments I scraped together for creativity between my responsibilities, were filled with a fantasy of escapism into a dreamlike world. I conjured creatures, places, and adventures I had never before imagined. My own zebras came to me from my fellow artists, woodcarvers, family, and friends. I learned to count even the smallest of blessings they brought me as the treasures they represented in my life.”

Hosted by Cafe Books

“A new season of voices opens at Literary Cabaret.

Part of the Spring Writing Residency at Banff Centre, Chapter 1 features original work from this season’s writers-in-residence across genres, including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and hybrid forms. Each chapter in the series presents a distinct lineup, offering a window into the breadth of practices gathered this spring.

The evening is hosted by poet and critic Vidyan Ravinthiran, born in Leeds to Sri Lankan Tamil parents. His debut collection Grun-tu-molani was shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best First Collection, and The Million-petalled Flower of Being Herewas shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize. He will guide the program and close the evening with a reading from his own work.

Settle in with a drink from the bar, browse a curated selection of books from Pages, and experience the creative atmosphere of CLVB ’33.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m., with readings beginning at 7:00 p.m. Informal mingling continues until 9:30 p.m.”

Hosted by the Banff Centre at CLVB ’33.

Regular weekly social and co-working meetups of the Banff Writers Group take place on Sundays, from 2-4pm, at the Happy Camper Café & Bar (545 Banff Ave). Our format is: half an hour of social time, followed by an hour of quiet co-working, then another half an hour at the end for wrap up. All experience levels and projects welcome, whether you're working on a book, blog, paper, personal journal, script, or anything else, so long as it is “written.”

We’re not a critique or reading group, so there’s no need to bring anything to share with other members.

“Join us at Cafe Books for an exciting book signing of '' Whose Nest is Best? by a Calgary based-author, Lyndsay Wasko on Saturday,March 14th, 2026,  12pm-4 pm.

Lyndsay Wasko grew up writing stories and drawing animals and years later, not much has changed. She lives in Calgary with her family and generally aspires to the life of a Beatrix Potter animal: baking, sewing, gardening, and being in nature. She especially enjoys river walks with her dog, Watson.

Fly alongside birds of the world in this stunning picture book that's just right for children ages 3-7. Includes back matter on birds and their homes.

This is a unique, fun, and educational exploration of birds around the world and the types of nests that they build for their families. Includes back matter on birds and their homes.”

Hosted by Cafe Books

“Join us for an evening with Dr. Karen Lee as she presents her memoir Fit Cities: My Quest to Improve the World's Health and Wellness--Including Yours.

When: Thursday, March 12  |  6:30pm
Where: Friends Program Room

Fit Cities chronicles Dr. Lee’s work over the last 20+ years in which she and her many collaborators uncovered and set about eradicating the causes of a pandemic of unhealthy living. The book offers invaluable advice on how we can all help ourselves to live healthier lives.

Dr. Karen Lee is an Associate Professor in the Division of Preventive Medicine in the Department of Medicine at the University of Alberta (U of A). Prior to returning to her native home in the Edmonton area in 2018, Dr. Lee spent 15 years in the United States, first as a "disease detective" at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), then as Deputy to the Assistant Commissioner of Health for Chronic Disease Prevention and Director of the Built Environment Program in New York City. Dr. Lee and her team helped the City of New York become a “Fit City” and saw childhood obesity decrease and life expectancy increase at higher rates than other places in the country.

Dr. Lee has worked with over 40 cities around the world and with over 150 partners in Canada to create the U of A’s Healthy Community Guidelines. For more information about Dr. Lee and her work, please visit: www.drkarenlee.com.

Café Books will be joining us for Dr. Lee’s visit and will have copies of Fit Cities available for purchase.”

Hosted by the Canmore Public Library.

Regular weekly social and co-working meetups of the Banff Writers Group take place on Sundays, from 2-4pm, at the Happy Camper Café & Bar (545 Banff Ave). Our format is: half an hour of social time, followed by an hour of quiet co-working, then another half an hour at the end for wrap up. All experience levels and projects welcome, whether you're working on a book, blog, paper, personal journal, script, or anything else, so long as it is “written.”

We’re not a critique or reading group, so there’s no need to bring anything to share with other members.

Regular weekly social and co-working meetups of the Banff Writers Group take place on Sundays, from 2-4pm, at the Happy Camper Café & Bar (545 Banff Ave). Our format is: half an hour of social time, followed by an hour of quiet co-working, then another half an hour at the end for wrap up. All experience levels and projects welcome, whether you're working on a book, blog, paper, personal journal, script, or anything else, so long as it is “written.”

We’re not a critique or reading group, so there’s no need to bring anything to share with other members.

“Audrey Blake, author of 'All in Her Hands' joins us at Cafe Books on 28th of February 12 pm-4pm for an exciting book signing!

One woman physician. A group of talented midwives. A deadly disease spreading.

1849. Dr. Nora Gibson is the only female surgeon in London. In all of England, even. After earning her medical degree and overcoming the prejudice of those who wished to see her fail, she's finally earned her place at the Great Queen Street Hospital alongside her newlywed husband and her eccentric but ailing adoptive father, the great Dr. Horace Croft.

But peace is hard to come by as a physician, and for one like Nora, it's almost impossible. When Nora takes up the fight to bring midwives into the medical field, her already fragile reputation comes under fire by colleagues and London society itself. And if the possibility of losing her rights to practice medicine wasn't enough, a dangerous enemy has made itself known: the deadliest cholera epidemic in over a century. It's a swift disease that wreaks havoc and tragedy across the city, especially amongst the working classes, and Nora will do anything she can to help. Soon, she finds herself on the frontlines of the disease, and as those around her begin to fall, she'll have to find the strength to stand alone and maintain her greatest oath: to save lives. Whether she'll make it through, though, is up to fate.”

Hosted by Cafe Books

Regular weekly social and co-working meetups of the Banff Writers Group take place on Sundays, from 2-4pm, at the Happy Camper Café & Bar (545 Banff Ave). Our format is: half an hour of social time, followed by an hour of quiet co-working, then another half an hour at the end for wrap up. All experience levels and projects welcome, whether you're working on a book, blog, paper, personal journal, script, or anything else, so long as it is “written.”

We’re not a critique or reading group, so there’s no need to bring anything to share with other members.

Regular weekly social and co-working meetups of the Banff Writers Group take place on Sundays, from 2-4pm, at the Happy Camper Café & Bar (545 Banff Ave). Our format is: half an hour of social time, followed by an hour of quiet co-working, then another half an hour at the end for wrap up. All experience levels and projects welcome, whether you're working on a book, blog, paper, personal journal, script, or anything else, so long as it is “written.”

We’re not a critique or reading group, so there’s no need to bring anything to share with other members.

“There will be Prizes!

• First Place: $200 Cash Prize

• Second Place: artsPlace Gift Certificate: Family membership and 2 tickets to any performance

• Third Place: artsPlace Gift Certificate: 2 pairs of movie tickets

This is high-octane spoken-word at its most entertaining. Come prepared to rock the house, either with your three original slam poems, or just to cheer and join the fun.

Poetry Slam was invented in Chicago in 1984 by Marc Kelly Smith who wanted to bring poetry back to the people. A poetry slam is a competitive art form, with specific rules, where poets perform against fellow poets in front of a live audience. Each solo poet has three minutes to bust out a poem of their own creation. Poets receive scores from five randomly selected judges, in round-robin elimination periods, until a winner is determined. Heckling the Judges is encouraged.

Hosted by Canmore's Nikki Tate.”

Entrance is by donation.

Regular weekly social and co-working meetups of the Banff Writers Group take place on Sundays, from 2-4pm, at the Happy Camper Café & Bar (545 Banff Ave). Our format is: half an hour of social time, followed by an hour of quiet co-working, then another half an hour at the end for wrap up. All experience levels and projects welcome, whether you're working on a book, blog, paper, personal journal, script, or anything else, so long as it is “written.”

We’re not a critique or reading group, so there’s no need to bring anything to share with other members.

“Michael Bourne, author of 'We Bring You an Hour of Darkness ', joins us at Cafe Books on 7th of February 12 pm-4pm for an exciting book signing!

It’s 1993, and the ski company that runs Franklin, Colorado, plans to build a massive new resort in a pristine wilderness home to an endangered wildcat. When eco-terrorists begin a series of attacks on infrastructure and property, the FBI sets up a national task force. While the local police and politicians are melting down, five intrepid reporters at the town’s struggling newspaper must step in to solve the crime. With her newspaper on the brink of collapse, editor Tish Threadgill is under pressure from a rival publication to sell. But a local literary malcontent turns out to have a ringside seat to the eco-terrorist plot. While trying to stave off the town’s power brokers who would very much like her pesky paper gone, Tish soon finds the mystery at the heart of the attacks are far too close to home.”

Hosted by Cafe Books

“Join local author and poet, Nikki Tate, for a fun and interactive two-part workshop on the exciting forms of spoken word and slam poetry.

Participants will create a spoken word poem and then practice their delivery skills with the rest of the group. Nikki will also discuss how to share work with a wider audience and how to prepare for a spring slam at artsPlace in February.

Teens are welcome to attend with the understanding that some poets may explore mature themes. 

When: Jan 21 & Feb 4  |  6:00pm - 8:00pm
Where: Canmore Library Meeting Room 

Registration is required as space is limited.”

Hosted by the Canmore Public Library.

Regular weekly social and co-working meetups of the Banff Writers Group take place on Sundays, from 2-4pm, at the Happy Camper Café & Bar (545 Banff Ave). Our format is: half an hour of social time, followed by an hour of quiet co-working, then another half an hour at the end for wrap up. All experience levels and projects welcome, whether you're working on a book, blog, paper, personal journal, script, or anything else, so long as it is “written.”

We’re not a critique or reading group, so there’s no need to bring anything to share with other members.

Regular weekly social and co-working meetups of the Banff Writers Group take place on Sundays, from 2-4pm, at the Happy Camper Café & Bar (545 Banff Ave). Our format is: half an hour of social time, followed by an hour of quiet co-working, then another half an hour at the end for wrap up. All experience levels and projects welcome, whether you're working on a book, blog, paper, personal journal, script, or anything else, so long as it is “written.”

We’re not a critique or reading group, so there’s no need to bring anything to share with other members.

“Celebrate the final evening of the Deep Winter Writers Literary Cabaret series, part of the Deep Winter Writers Residency at Banff Centre. Chapter 3 features compelling original readings by writers-in-residence, marking the culmination of the residency.

The evening is hosted by faculty mentor Divya Victor, author of CURB, winner of the PEN America Open Book Award and the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. Victor will also share a reading from their own work.

Grab a drink from the bar, browse a curated selection of books from Pages Books, and take in the lively, welcoming atmosphere of CLVB’33. Doors open at 6:15 p.m., with readings beginning at 7:00 p.m. Stay afterward to mingle with writers and faculty until 9:30 p.m.”

Hosted by the Banff Centre at CLVB ’33.

“Join local author and poet, Nikki Tate, for a fun and interactive two-part workshop on the exciting forms of spoken word and slam poetry.

Participants will create a spoken word poem and then practice their delivery skills with the rest of the group. Nikki will also discuss how to share work with a wider audience and how to prepare for a spring slam at artsPlace in February.

Teens are welcome to attend with the understanding that some poets may explore mature themes. 

When: Jan 21 & Feb 4  |  6:00pm - 8:00pm
Where: Canmore Library Meeting Room 

Registration is required as space is limited.”

Hosted by the Canmore Public Library.

“Step into the second chapter of the Deep Winter Writers Literary Cabaret series, part of the Deep Winter Writers Residency at Banff Centre. This evening features a dynamic lineup of original readings by writers-in-residence, reflecting the range of voices and forms emerging from the residency.

The evening is hosted by faculty mentor Holly Pester, a poet and writer whose recent publications include Comic Timing and The Lodgers. Pester will also share a special reading from their own work.

Enjoy a drink from the bar, browse a curated selection of books from Pages Books, and immerse yourself in an evening of creativity and conversation at CLVB’33. Doors open at 6:15 p.m., with readings beginning at 7:00 p.m. Stay after to mingle with writers and faculty until 9:30 p.m.”

Hosted by the Banff Centre at CLVB ’33.

Regular weekly social and co-working meetups of the Banff Writers Group take place on Sundays, from 2-4pm, at the Happy Camper Café & Bar (545 Banff Ave). Our format is: half an hour of social time, followed by an hour of quiet co-working, then another half an hour at the end for wrap up. All experience levels and projects welcome, whether you're working on a book, blog, paper, personal journal, script, or anything else, so long as it is “written.”

We’re not a critique or reading group, so there’s no need to bring anything to share with other members.

“Step into an evening of literary exploration at Literary Cabaret, part of the Deep Winter Writers Residency at Banff Centre. This opening chapter features readings of original works by emerging and established writers working across genres.

Faculty mentor Nasser Hussain, author of SKY WRI TEI NGS and love language, will host the evening and share from their acclaimed work.

Enjoy a drink from the bar, browse a curated selection of books from Pages Books, and settle into the warm, creative atmosphere of CLVB’33. Doors open at 6:15 p.m., with readings beginning at 7:00 p.m. Stay after to mingle with writers and faculty until 9:30 p.m.”

Hosted by the Banff Centre at CLVB ’33.

“Join us for a Fireside Chat with Joanna Croston, Sharon Wood, and Sarah Hueniken, moderated by Nikki Tate!

When: Thursday, January 13  |  6:30 - 8:00pm
Where: Friends Program Room

Joanna will be presenting her latest book Mountaineering Women: Climbing Through History, and Sharon Wood and Sarah Hueniken, who are both featured in the book, will share their experiences in the mountains. 

Cafe Books will be onsite with copies of Joanna's book to sign and sell as well as copies of Sharon's memoir, Rising: Becoming the First Canadian Woman to Summit Everest. 

A book swap will also be offered. Please bring along a favourite title to share!

Refreshments will be provided by Save-On Foods.”

Hosted by the Canmore Public Library.

Regular weekly social and co-working meetups of the Banff Writers Group take place on Sundays, from 2-4pm, at the Happy Camper Café & Bar (545 Banff Ave). Our format is: half an hour of social time, followed by an hour of quiet co-working, then another half an hour at the end for wrap up. All experience levels and projects welcome, whether you're working on a book, blog, paper, personal journal, script, or anything else, so long as it is “written.”

We’re not a critique or reading group, so there’s no need to bring anything to share with other members.

Regular weekly social and co-working meetups of the Banff Writers Group take place on Sundays, from 2-4pm, at the Happy Camper Café & Bar (545 Banff Ave). Our format is: half an hour of social time, followed by an hour of quiet co-working, then another half an hour at the end for wrap up. All experience levels and projects welcome, whether you're working on a book, blog, paper, personal journal, script, or anything else, so long as it is “written.”

We’re not a critique or reading group, so there’s no need to bring anything to share with other members.