It’s that time of year again! We need to crown our 2017 Queer Slam Champion.
Without putting too many definitions on what a Queer Slam is, this competition will showcase, express, and celebrate the work of Van Slam’s writers of queer poetry. Featuring Jillian Christmas, the winner of 2016’s Capturing Fire Queer Summit. This slam will determine which poet will have the chance for the FIRST TIME EVER to officially represent Vancouver Poetry Slam in Washington, DC at this year’s Capturing Fire festival.
“Jillian Christmas was born and raised in Markham, Ontario. She currently lives on the unceded territories of the Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam people (Vancouver, BC.), where she serves as Artistic Director of Versəs Festival of Words. Jillian is an enthusiastic organizer and activist in the Canadian arts community, her focus being to increase anti-oppression initiatives in spoken word. She has participated in, developed and executed programs in partnership with Toronto Poetry Project, Wordplay, Brendan McLeod’s Travelling Slam, University of British Columbia, Vancouver Opera, and the CULTCH Mentorship, and facilitated spoken word workshops for youth and adults across the country.”
However you identify, please come out to participate, be dazzled, and support our vibrant community of LGBTQIA… writers and performers – We can’t wait to hear what you’ve been working on!
There will be an open mic, followed by an OPEN SIGN-UP SLAM with three-round poetry slam: 2 min, 1 minute and 4 minute rounds.
Cover is $6-$10 sliding scale. Sign up to perform is 7pm. Show starts at 8 o’clock.
This event, along with our daily lives in Vancouver, takes place on the unceded territories of the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh peoples.
We also strive to have trans friendly gender bending events inclusive of all orientations and experiences. Please help us do that.
This event is a scent-reduced space. To assist in our goal of increasing accessibility to Vancouver Poetry House events, please do your best to be aware of this and join us in reducing the impact of personal scented products (such as perfumes, scented oils, etc.) in our festival spaces.
The venue for theis event is the Wise Hall up-top. Access info can be found below
Accessibility Info for Wise Hall:
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 2013
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.