The third annual Growing Room festival is ready to run at venues all over town from March 8 to 17. (See related story on this page.) Rooted in the mission of the ground-breaking feminist literary journal Room, the program celebrates writing and art by cisgender and transgender women, transgender men, and two-spirit and nonbinary people. Here are just a few highlights from the complete lineup, available at the Room magazine website.

Indigenous Brilliance

March 9 at the Red Gate Revue Stage

The local quarterly reading series of the same name, normally housed by Chinatown store Massy Books, marks its first anniversary with a full day of readings, music, art, and more, from morning to evening at the Red Gate.

Funny Feminists

March 10 at the Red Gate Revue Stage

Humour still has its own powers against oppression, as this gathering will show through the witty work of such writers as Ivan Coyote, Eden Robinson, and Lindsay Wong.

Whatever Gets You Through

March 16 at Native Education College

Hosted by Vancouver author Jen Sookfong-Lee, this reading revolves around a soon-to-be-published collection in which 12 writers delve into the aftermath of sexual assault, exploring trauma and survival in ways often neglected by mainstream discussion.