Youth poets take up to two workshops designed to help expand their poetic horizons and learn about the breadth of spoken word from professional poets. Participants select workshops on offer by Ruby Singh, El Jones, Francis Arevalo and Ann-Bernice Thomas.

Full workshop descriptions below – or just REGISTER NOW!

10 AM / VPL Central Branch: Alice MacKay & Peter Kaye-Alma VanDusen Rooms / Free

What are we offering? Here’s a description!

WRITING FOR JUSTICE with EL JONES

What does it mean to engage with social issues as a writer? How do we speak responsibly, with integrity, and in a way that’s accountable to communities? When does speaking about injustice cause harm and how do we bear witness to pain without re-traumatizing or making pain a spectacle? How can we build writing practices that take place in community? These are some of the difficult questions we will work through, as we think about and write about social justice.

A MUSICAL ORBIT: THE CYCLICAL NATURE OF TIME with RUBY SINGH

Ruby SIngh will take you on a live looping journey, from fundamental first steps to multi-loop compositions.
We will investigate the human voice through vocal percussion, singing and improvisation.
Exploring the basics of rhythm, harmony and melody, we will learn to craft compositions in the moment.
Bring an instrument, bring a friend and bring your curiosity.

HOME, GROWN with FRANCIS AREVALO

Every idea is a seed, so the “Home, Grown” workshop explores how we can best cultivate our creativity. Home, Grown explores specifically how music, poetry, and collaboration can not only lead to powerful and beautiful art, but also enrich and empower our lives. “Home, Grown” will involve creative writing, music production, and teamwork.

FINDING VOICE IN CONCRETE DETAIL with ANN-BERNICE THOMAS

In this workshop, you will learn how to think like a poet. How to find yourself in life’s little details, rooting your voice in the honest compassion of the everyday. You will mine yourself and practice trust in your voice, to find and tell the stories that ache to be told.

This event is a scent-reduced space. To assist us in our goal of increased access, please be aware of our attempt to reduce the impact of personal scented products (perfumes, scented oils, etc) in our festival spaces.