( ( . . . M c C a l l Smith's writing offers an escape to a place that celebrates moral certainty, warmth and compassion, J J Alexander McCall Smith - Tara Murphy photo Bf Ftâna Black Alexander McCall Smith Kicks off Speakers Series The C a p i l a n o Theatre milestone has - its the College r e a c h e d tenth theatre Performing an anniversary. Is l a u n c h i n g Arts In a important the Akimbo series, about a boy in Africa, and the Harriet Bean books. McCall Smith was born in what is now Zimbabwe and was educated there and in Scotland. He became a law professor In Scotland, and It was in this role that he first returned to Africa to work In Botswana, where he helped to set up a new law school at the University of Botswana. For many years he was Professor of Medical Law at the University of Edinburgh, and has been a visiting professor at a number of other universities elsewhere, including ones In Italy and the United States. He Is now a Professor Emeritus at the University of Edinburgh. Alexander McCall Smith currently lives in Edinburgh with his wife Elizabeth (an Edinburgh doctor), and their two daughters Lucy and Emily. His hobbies include playing wind instruments, and he is the co-founder of an amateur orchestra called "The Really Terrible Orchestra" in which he plays the bassoon and his wife plays the horn. celebration, n e w series, the IKON S p e a k e r s series w h i c h features h i g h profile s p e a k e r s f r o m the globe. around The inaugural speaker for the series is the international best-selling author, Alexander McCall Smith. His penchant is the celebration of the mundane so it is fitting that his talk is entitled The Very Small Things of Life. His speaking engagements are highly entertaining with much humour and warmth. An in-demand speaker all over the globe, this will be Smith's first appearance in the Vancouver region. Alexander McCall Smith has written more than 60 books, including specialist academic titles, short story collections, and a number of Immensely popular children's books. But he is best known for his internationally acclaimed No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, which rapidly rose to the top of the bestseller lists throughout the world. The fifth novel in the series, The Full Cupboard of Life, received the Saga Award for Wit. The Good Husband of Zebra Drive (April 2007) is the eighth bestselling book in the series. The series has now been translated Into 39 languages, has sold over 7 million copies worldwide and is currently in film development. A prolific writer, McCall Smith has three other popular series The Sunday Philosophy Club, 44 Scotland Street and the Portuguese Irregular Verbs series. He is also the author of children's books, including WHO: Alexander McCall Smith WHEN: September 28 © 8 pm WHERE: Capilano College Performing Arts Theatre TICKETS: The full season of performances including Alexander McCall Smith go on sale August 7th. For more information on subscription packages and single ticket sales, call the box office at 604.990.7810 or buy on-line at www.capcollege. bc.ca/theatre.