Peter Paul van camp

Friday June 28

5:00 PM - 5:45 PM w/ The Douglas Brothers
Second Set
7:30 PM - 8:15 PM w/ The Douglas Brothers

—

Monday July 1

Emcee w/ Girl Brain

 Yes, friends, He Dares To Read His Poems Aloud. 

"It's a rhymester!", the doctor chortled on the morning young Van Camp was born. His reasoning?  Why, the infant had responded with a vehement "gack!" to the peremptory smack on his backside, and time has proven the medical man prophetic, if slaphappy. 

Peter Paul Van Camp -- remember that name -- remains one of the last half-dozen fully bespectacled homespun recitalists still active on the folk circuit. 

 Since 1972, when he emerged in the coffeehouses of Montreal, having sought a broadening of his life experience on the heels of a chaste upbringing in Coshocton, Ohio, Mr. Van Camp (he also answers to "Specs") has darn near done it all, except for appearing before YOU YOURSELVES.  A participant at over 70 Folk Festivals and Writer's Festivals spanning the breadth of the Dominion, a familiar face in folk clubs and at institutions of higher learning across the continent, a popular radio raconteur....but let's hear what some of the critics have had to say: 

 "Mr. Van Camp spilled as much water as he consumed in his nervous attempt to, as he put it, "wet his whistle"  --  Treherne (Manitoba) Clarion 

"The assemblage wasn't sure that it would care to listen to his poems when they first saw him come out, but after a while they didn't mind as much. There was a surprising amount of applause, actually."  -- Winnipeg Tribune 

"We couldn't wait until he had finished, on account of having a sitter.  But we liked the part we could stay for."  (a fan, Calgary) 

 [Hundreds more testimonials just like these are available, on request] 

 Suppose that you DO engage Mr. Van Camp for a reading -- he has given over 1800 already -- what may you expect of him? 

a) Promptitude.  He is never tardy, and what is more, never overstays his welcome. 

b) A positive outlook.  Mr. Van Camp never writes when he is not in the best of humours, or is enjoying poor health. 

c) An ability to make the most of such abilities as he possesses.  Did you know, for instance, that he is a past winner of the Distinguished Rhyming Cross, and is now a six-time runner-up for the prestigious Buscemi Prize For Coherency?  Well, he is. 

d) An accomplished stage manner.  He is a most engaging performer -- (yes, Performer!) and what is more has taken that criticism of his water-handling very much to heart, and made the necessary adjustments. 

e) His motto these many years has been, and remains: "My Best Effort Today, and Better Luck Next Time!" 

  In summary, it is perhaps enough to claim that a morning, or afternoon, or evening spent in the presence of this poet will provide those in attendance with lasting memories, many of them poignant. For, given half a chance, PETER PAUL VAN CAMP will not only steal your heart, but return it, cleaned and pressed. 

He will indeed. 

Or, as the poet himself says, "I'll be there, with lard in my hair, and my ears pinned back!"   

You'll see....