Issue 06 Launch Recap!
After a beautifully warm, sunny day (perfect for an issue about Summer Camp!), dozens gathered at Club SAW to celebrate flo.’s 6th print issue. After an evening of lovely readings and immense community support, it would be hard to describe this launch event as anything short of an incredible success!
Video courtesy of flo. poetry editor, Jen Jakob
Photo courtesy of flo. fiction editor, Katrina Wilcox
flo. Issue 06 | Solstice features work around the theme of Summer Camp by local Ottawa-Gatineau writers and features beautiful art by Alexandra Finkeldey. We felt particularly honoured to get to showcase some folks’ first publications in this issue and hearing people’s stories about their writing journeys reminded us why we created flo. in the first place. As our Events Coordinator, Maya, pointed out to many of our nervous first-time readers at this event: it’s time you stop referring to yourself as an aspiring writer and simply start calling yourself a writer instead. This event turned out to be the perfect space to celebrate the works of the entire local writing community, with emerging and established writers alike.
Images from top row left to right: Laurie Koensgen reads from “Retreat,” Emma Schuster reads from “Stepping River,” Claire DePaul reads from “in the dining hall, 8:22am”
Images from bottom row left to right: Daniel Christopher Emmanuel Jones reads from “Summer Mourning Dance,” Gabbie Cruz reads from “ode to the cabin fairy,” rob mclennan reads from “My Emily Dickinson”
What made the night extra special were the little ways that local talent was showcased—through our amazing contributors readings of course, but also thanks to our mini market and the awesome staff at SAW! The team at the SAW bar created 3 delicious signature drinks in honour of the issue and they were as delicious as the issue itself (and perfectly on theme!). The incredible Cheri Ariel mixed up a lot of excitement with her Pink Flame, S’mores, and Cherry Cola cocktails—all of which were exquisite!
flo. Issue 06 | Solstice's signature cocktails pictured from left to right: Cherry Cola, S'mores, and Pink Flame.
Handmade poster featuring the evening's signature cocktail menu.
The evening also included a mini market featuring incredible local artists and makers. We were lucky enough to get to watch Tsoa Raholison whip up gorgeous portraits in just 10 minutes! Karina Leclair shared their stunning art with us all, inspiring us with her wise words and colourful creations! Laura Z., better known as Aurum Jewellery, shared her adorable beaded bracelets with us all (yes, all the flo. editors now have matching floral beaded bracelets)! And the Queer Zine Collective allowed us to feature their extraordinary work through their zines!
Tsoa Raholison poses with a copy of issue 06.
Karina Leclair all set up at their vendor table.
Aurum Jewellery at the mini market.
The Queer Zine Collective featuring some of their recent zines.
As the launch came to a close, it reminded me that summer, too, is coming to an end soon, but if there’s anything we can take away from both the event and issue 06 it’s this: the memories we made will last far longer than the time it took to make them. I think it’s safe for me to speak on behalf of all flo. editors when I say that this launch party will be one that we hold dear to our hearts forever and this issue will always be a special one. We would like to express our gratitude and offer a huge thank you to everyone that contributed to this issue, everyone that supported this issue, and everyone that stopped by to celebrate with us!