CIPS Orientation will take place on Wednesday, April 25th, from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Wise Hall. (Bouts will run on Thursday, April 26th and Friday, April 27th at Cafe Deux Soleils and Havana Theatre.)

THIS EVENT IS FOR MEMBERS OF THE TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE AND COMPETING CIPS POETS ONLY

ATTENDANCE AT ORIENTATION IS MANDATORY!

If you do not attend orientation you will receive a 2-point deduction on your score in the 1-minute round. Exceptions will only be made in the event of unforeseen medical emergencies and the like, which will go to the protest committee so they have something to do. Poet will be given plenty of reminders.

At orientation, CIPS Tournament Director Johnny MacRae will go over tournament info with competing poets in person, making sure everyone is aware of the rules and format of the tournament, the location of the venues, community resources available to them, and the Honour Code.

Poets can ask questions, and meet the Festival Directors Jillian Christmas and Pamela Bentley, and Accessibility Coordinator Rabbit Richards. They will say nice things to the poets. Poets will receive information about things to do in the city, and of course, poet bags with a list of resources.

!! Venue reps eligible for travel subsidies will collect those cheques at Orientation !!

There will be refreshments.

THIS EVENT IS FOR MEMBERS OF THE TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE AND COMPETING CIPS POETS ONLY

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.

Accessibility Information for the Wise Hall:
If you are coming from Commercial Drive towards the Wise Hall on Adanac or Venables, there is a very steep hill. If you travel by #14 or #16 bus to Victoria and Hastings, you can avoid this hill but coming south on Victoria. Or you can go east on a street farther south from Commercial to Victoria and then travel north along Victoria.

You’ll note on arrival a set of railed stairs leading into the Hall. The wheelchair accessible entrance is around back. For certain events there will be someone posted at the door throughout the event and/or a bell system will be rigged up to ensure no one has to wait out there to be let in. If this has not been clarified by organizers already, please consider contacting them for details.

Once inside, you’ll find a spacious wood-floored hall, open concept, tables and chairs set up throughout. The stage (accessible only via stairs) is to your left, and the washrooms towards the back of the hall. The washrooms are currently gendered, but sometimes will be marked “gender neutral”. There are two sets of washrooms. The one to the left of the bar is currently marked “men” is on the same level and is now wheelchair accessible, with 2 urinals and one wheelchair access stall and one non-wheelchair access stall. The one to the right of the bar, currently marked “women”, is wheelchair accessible with no urinals and one additional stall. *update as of June
Read the Radical Accessibility Mapping Project’s WISE Hall overview or complete audit.
2013: please note that a new, wheelchair accessible men’s bathroom has been created. The finishing touches are still being added, and the door has been adjusted to more easily fit wheelchair/scooter users, but overall the space is great.

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