Alyson Lamanes is a freelance writer, thinker, and doer born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario. Much to the chagrin of her friends, she often starts sentences with “So I was listening to a podcast..” She enjoys sending leters in the mail, and is a faithful bullet-journaler.

‘Excuses’ is on Sunday, April 10th, at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, as the finale to gritLit, Hamilton’s readers and writers festival. Doors open at 7pm and donations are welcome. 

 

Carla was born in and raised by her Awesome Mom and Loving Yet Aggressive Older Brother in Hamilton. She studied in Toronto, and lived in Victoria and Montreal before coming home to nest.

Carla works at the Social Planning and Research Council where she does community planning and evaluation about immigration, LGBTQ+ communities, neighbourhoods, and children.

Playing the banjo and singing with other humans, especially her partner, Anna, makes her feel more alive. Carla misses her Cool But Complicated Dad, who died last year. She appreciates being woken up daily by her kid, Charlie, wisely advising her to “Wake up!”

‘Excuses’ is on Sunday, April 10th, at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, as the finale to gritLit, Hamilton’s readers and writers festival. Doors open at 7pm and donations are welcome. 

Jen Reeves is a writer who turned to the dark art of marketing. Someone has to pay the bills around here. When not selling her soul to the man, Jen enjoys reading, herding her four year old, and wishing her bio was more interesting.

‘Excuses’ is on Sunday, April 10th, at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, as the finale to gritLit, Hamilton’s readers and writers festival. Doors open at 7pm and donations are welcome. 

 

Born and raised in BC, Steve was successfully converted to the religion of Hamilton in 2007 when he arrived for University where he studied Theatre Performance and Visual Art.

After graduation, he decided to stay mostly due to his community, Eucharist Church. That decision to stay became solidified when Steve got married and bought a home in Hamilton’s downtown core.

‘Excuses’ is on Sunday, April 10th, at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, as the finale to gritLit, Hamilton’s readers and writers festival. Doors open at 7pm and donations are welcome. 

Carly McLeod is a body positive activist born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario. She shares her unapologetic “fat grrrl” experience through writing and storytelling, served with a hefty dose of humour. Carly is developing a workshop to help others get over the fear of loving themselves.

‘Excuses’ is on Sunday, April 10th, at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, as the finale to gritLit, Hamilton’s readers and writers festival. Doors open at 7pm and donations are welcome. 

Maria spends her time hanging out with middle schoolers, flirting with the elderly and wondering how it can be possible to love rap music so much and still call herself a feminist.

She believes in the power of sharing our stories and has had a lifetime of practice around the dining room table with her big Greek family.

‘Excuses’ is on Sunday, April 10th, at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, as the finale to gritLit, Hamilton’s readers and writers festival. Doors open at 7pm and donations are welcome. 

Let’s get to know who is joining Leila on Sunday afternoon!

Introducing… Grace!

Grace Evans is a community worker at the Social Planning and Research Council. Grace is a co-founder of Steel City Stories and lives downtown with her partner Scott and their dog Hank.

Introducing… Layal!

Layal is a dancing queen turned business owner, recently back in her Hamilton hometown after a decade in Toronto. Following a 10-year career in TV and film documentary, in 2012 Layal met Jonny and fell in love. Shortly after she moved in, quit her job and they launched the Jonny Blonde food truck together in 2013.

Before her food-trucking career, Layal produced and directed a film called House of God which screened at TIFF Bell Lightbox in 2011, and a series of music videos for her singing, rapping alter-ego “Roxi Diabla”.

Introducing… Dani!

Dani is a Hamilton imposter, originally from Toronto, but loves her new city. She’s a dance instructor who specializes in “The Groove Method.” She currently lives in a micro-home that she built with her partner. She’s a minimalist and loves to travel.

Introducing… Colleen!

Colleen is a recent transplant to Hamilton, coming from Sudbury via some years in Barrie. She is delighted with the move, and when not blissfully lost in data queries and spreadsheets at work or riding a Sobi home, she can be found at the Art Crawl, a good movie, or sipping a Manhattan and cooking dinner for friends. She has a short attention span and embraces change, trying to live life deliberately and joyfully. Her maxim is “Less is more”.

Introducing… Mary Ellen!

Mary Ellen Scanlon is retired and lives in Strathcona. She believes that Hamilton’s built heritage is one of our most valuable and under-appreciated assets.

Leila’s Girlfriends is running three shows on Friday, March 4th at 7:30pm, Saturday, March 5th at 7:30pm, and Sunday, March 6th at 2pm. All shows are at Mills Hardware and doors open half an hour before the show starts. Seating is limited, so buy advance tickets for $10 here!

Let’s get to know Leila’s girlfriends for Saturday night!

Introducing… Katharine!

Katharine was born in Hamilton and raised in Greensville. After living in the UK while her partner finished school, she moved back to Canada to complete a degree in Museum Studies at the University of Toronto.

Katharine comes from a long line of local history buffs and is proud to once again call Hamilton – the setting for so many family stories – home. She also enjoys indoor rock climbing, fixing up old furniture, and watching Netflix with her cat.

Introducing… Lena!

Lena Scholman is a writer putting down roots in east Hamilton with her family of four. Recently, she traded life as a high school teacher to dust off an abandoned novel sitting in a drawer. When she finishes it, there will be cake and wine and you’re all invited to the party.

Introducing… Sarah!

Sarah is originally from Ottawa and moved to Hamilton two and a half years ago with her husband and two kids. She enjoys all aspects of homemaking and her zen place to be is with her vacuum cleaner.

Introducing… Kim!

Kim is adventurous, energetic, and young at heart. She’s breast cancer “thriver”, and belongs to a dragonboat racing team comprised of other survivors who paddle their hearts out. She engages in numerous creative hobbies, and loves to travel, exercise, and learn. She also loves to assist, educate, and inspire others.

She’s currently student enrolled in a mental health support worker program, and hopes to soon work in that field. She lives in Hamilton with her beautiful cats, Lily and Gracie.

Introducing… Sandy!

Sandy Reynolds has called Hamilton home for two years. Her favourite part of Hamilton is the escarpment. Last she she walked it from Milton to Grimbsy in four days.

She has been married for over 30 years, has two adult children and almost two grandchildren (one is due any day now). Her business, The FIELD Collaborative, helps individuals and businesses focus on the things that are most important in reaching their goals.

 

Leila’s Girlfriends is running three shows on Friday, March 4th at 7:30pm, Saturday March 5th at 7:30pm, and Sunday March 6th at 2pm. All shows are at Mills Hardware and doors open half an hour before the show starts. Seating is limited, so buy advance tickets for $10 here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let’s get to know who will be joining Leila on Friday night!

Introducing… Tamara!

Tamara has lived in Hamilton since the day she was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital. She has performed in community theatre for 30 plus years. She is a Humanities and Social Sciences Professor at Mohawk College. She is glad she has these two venues to help her give back to her community. She’s honoured to have the opportunity to work with Leila on this supportive women’s project.

Introducing… Tricia!

Tricia was born in Montreal, Quebec, to an Irish mom and a Scottish dad – with a German surname. She moved around quite a bit when she was young, and has moved a few times as an adult. She is now a Hamiltonian of about 23 years and loves living here. She also loves to travel and among many places she’d still like to explore are the Yukon and Northwest Territories.

Introducing… Janice!

Her name is Janice Clarke Scott, Clarke Verboom, Clarke Blatz, and soon to be Clarke – never to change again. She is 67 years young with three children, five grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

Introducing… Anne!

Anne is an ardent lover of chocolates, flowers, and cats. She landed in Hamilton almost three years ago after a forgettable stint in the prairies and a blissful time on the west coast. By day, the secretary in her keeps an office in order; by night, the musician in her listens to jazz, R&B, dance, pop, rock, and the odd bit of classical tunage. She hopes to spend more time in her adopted home, laughing and aging gracefully.

Introducing… Debbie!

Have you ever had to hide something from those that you love and care about? Have you ever had to be something that you know that you are not? Debbie is a Hamilton born post-op transwoman who has overcome mountains. Debbie has been a pioneer in women’s and LGTBQ rights within Hamilton.

Debbie enjoys travelling and experience new adventures. She likes spending her free time skydiving, crafting it up, and spending time with her Chihuahua Jessie. Debbie has shared her story via other media sources but feels the importance to tell her story first hand to Hamilton.

Leila’s Girlfriends is running three shows on Friday, March 4th at 7:30pm, Saturday, March 5th at 7:30pm, and Sunday, March 6th at 2pm. All shows are at Mills Hardware and doors open half an hour before the show starts. Seating is limited, so buy advance tickets for $10 here!

Izad Etemadi is an award winning actor / singer / writer based out of Toronto, Ontario. He first came to Hamilton in 2013 with his solo show Borderland. In the past 3 years he has brought 9 different productions to Hamilton – most recently he performed his new solo piece The Hidden One at the inaugural Frost Bites Festival.

He is best known for his show Love With Leila which was performed Off-Broadway in New York City this past November. Izad won’t be seen on stage tonight, but you can catch his story on CBC Radio’s Definitely Not The Opera!  Twitter / Instagram / Facebook: @IzadEtemadi

Leila is an International Persian Superstar. She first appeared in Izad Etemadi’s play Borderland. After that experience, she knew she was destined to be a celebrity. She created her own show Love With Leila and began to tour across the continent winning the hearts of audiences from coast to coast.Her holiday special A Very Leila Christmas is becoming an annual tradition and her web series has thousands of views.

Leila is embarking into the world of fashion with Leila Wear – her own line of designer scarves and into the world of music with Modest Woman – her upcoming EP. Follow Leila on all things social media @LoveWithLeila and don’t forget to use her hashtag #LeilaNation.

Leila’s Girlfriends is running three shows on Friday, March 4th at 7:30pm, Saturday, March 5th at 7:30pm, and Sunday, March 6th at 2pm. All shows are at Mills Hardware and doors open half an hour before the show starts. Seating is limited, so buy advance tickets for $10 here!