Vancouver Poetry House

Vancouver Poetry Slam feat. Magpie Ulysses
2026-02-02 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Vancouver)
Location: Enabling Arts (343 Railway Street, Vancouver)
Doors: 7 pm
Sign up: 7:30 pm
Slam: 8 pm
$8 in advance at https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/van-slam-ftmagpie-ulysses
$10-15 @ the door
No one turned away for lack of funds.
VOLUNTEERS welcome! [1 scorekeeper and 1 timekeeper]
UPDATE: Volunteer spots *1 remaining*
Please email: inclusion@vancouverpoetryhouse.com to claim a volunteer spot for Monday Feb. 2nd, or register as a volunteer if it’s your first time, here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScUPFM5DwPd2_cKMLI3B2I4UUMpYBQgx5GmyhUn36jPwsBq_A/viewform?usp=dialog
A note on accessibility
We are excited to be venue partners with our friends at Enabling Arts!
ENABLING ARTS is a wheelchair accessible space with an open floor plan and gentle lighting.
Enabling Arts is a multidisciplinary arts space focused on wellness through the arts hosting community events and workshops for sustainable creative practices in addition to selling books, local/ curated art, natural products, and more.
*Masks are encouraged to protect our immune compromised and elderly community. Reduced scents are also encouraged for the comfort of everyone*
About the Slam
Vancouver Poetry Slam has been running a slam in Vancouver since the late 80’s. Slam is a sport, but poetry is the point.
The slam offers poets an opportunity to qualify for the April 2026 Van Slam Finals. The feature’s calibre is a testament to the strength of the poetry that is to come.
Sign up for the slam begins promptly at 7:30 pm and there will be a draw for spaces after the 12th spot is filled.
All poets entered in the slam will compete in the first round. The four highest-scoring poets after this round will perform again in the second round, earning points towards ‘Finals’ qualification based on their second-round ranking.

Van Slam February’s feature is Magpie Ulysses!
About the feature, Magpie Ulysses
Magpie is a neurodivergent, queer, nature nerd, garden witch who started performing poems more than 25 years ago. Magpie has performed poems and told stories across North America and is a multiple award winning spoken word artist and beloved veteran of the national and Vancouver poetry slam communities.
Magpie’s latest works seek questions surrounding genetic memory, placemaking, grief, aging, our place in the natural world, survival, rebellion, late stage capitalist nightmares and the imminent undoing of our species. http://www.magpieulysses.ca

Vancouver Poetry Slam ft. Miel Enage
2026-01-05 19:00 - 22:00 | Enabling Arts, 343 Railway Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6A 1A4, Canada
Van Slam is back in January with a new look and feature, Miel Enage!
Location: Enabling Arts (343 Railway Street, Vancouver)
Doors: 7 pm
Sign up: 7:30 pm
Slam: 8 pm
$8 in advance at https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/van-slam-ft-miel-enage
$10-15 @ the door
No one turned away for lack of funds.
A note on accessibility
ENABLING ARTS is a wheelchair accessible space with an open floor plan and gentle lighting. *Masks are encouraged to protect our immune compromised and elderly community.*
Vancouver Poetry Slam has been running a slam in Vancouver since the late 80’s. Slam is a sport, but poetry is the point. That being said, the slam offers poets an opportunity to qualify for the April 2026 Van Slam Finals. All poets in the slam will compete in the first round. The four highest-scoring poets after this round will perform again in the second round, earning points towards Finals qualification based on their second-round ranking. We are excited to announce we are partnering in January with our friends at Enabling Arts!

Enabling Arts is a multidisciplinary arts space focused on wellness through the arts hosting community events and workshops for sustainable creative practices in addition to selling books, local/ curated art, natural products, and more.

About the feature Miel Enage
Miel is a second-generation Filipina poet and spoken word artist based in Vancouver. Writing and performing since 2009, her work explores the intersections of healing,identity, womanhood, ancestral memory, and self-reclamation. Through her poetry, Miel traces how love, loss, and lineage shape the ways we learn to soften and survive.
Her first self-published book, Heal & Conquer (2017), reflected on the lessons of leaving an unhealthy relationship and rediscovering her sense of self. She is currently working on her second collection — a deeper exploration of growth, tenderness, nuance and the cycles we break to become whole

Vancouver Poetry Slam ft. JoeMac
2025-12-01 19:00 - 22:00 | Historic Joy Kogawa House, 1450 West 64th Avenue, Vancouver, Canada
UPDATE

Hey folks,

Venue CHANGE for Dec 1 feat. JoeMac

El Torito is unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances.

We will be moving the slam to Historic Joy Kogawa House at 1450 W 64th Ave.

Unfortunately Historic Joy Kogawa House is not wheelchair accessible so the event will by hybrid for those who need to join online via this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86331864069
Meeting ID: 863 3186 4069

We apologize for the inconvenience.

Van Slam Team.

Featuring San Diego’s JoeMac, the December Van Slam includes a short, 3-person open mic and a 2-round poetry slam. Sign up for open mic and slam spots will be first-come, first-served. The show opens with the open mic and the feature performance. Following a short break, we slam!
Doors: 7 pm
Sign up: 7:30 pm
Slam: 8 pm
Advance Ticket link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/van-slam-ft-joemac
$10-15 @ the door
No one turned away for lack of funds.
The slam offers poets an opportunity to qualify for the April 2026 Van Slam Finals. All poets in the slam will compete in the first round. The four highest-scoring poets after this round will perform again in the second round, earning points towards Finals qualification based on their second-round ranking.
Notes on Accessibility:

Historic Joy Kogawa House is not a wheelchair accessible venue. There are 4 stairs to a small landing at the entrance, and 3 to 4 shallow stone stairs from the sidewalk to the front courtyard.
Masks are strongly encouraged. As we enter cold and flu season, and COVID has not ended, we encourage you to consider adding a layer of protection for the immunocompromised members of our community.
We ask that attendees avoid the use of fragrances (inc. scented products) out of respect for other attendees who may experience chemical sensitivities and/or respiratory challenges associated with these products.

********
ABOUT THE FEATURE
Residing in San Diego, California, and originally from East Chicago, Indiana, JoeMac is a multi-talented force. Aside from being a 13x author, with two best sellers on Amazon, he is a multiple time slam champ. He is a 2x member of the San Diego Slam Team, who won the 2024 Bigfoot Regional Poetry Slam in Portland, Oregon, and finished 2nd in 2025. He is the San Diego Slam, Grand Slam runner up for 2023 & 24, with narrow losses to international great Rudy Francisco. He placed second at the inaugural 2024 Chicharra Poetry Slam festival in New Mexico. Currently, he is the #7 ranked poet in the United States, after competing at the 2025 Blackberry Peach tournament. He has been featured on All Def Poetry and Button Poetry, two of the biggest poetry platforms in the world. He has featured at prominent United States universities, to include Thee Ohio State University. All in all, Mr. Unpredictable as he is known, still has a lot left to give, and is just getting started.

Vancouver Poetry Slam ft. Charlie Petch
2025-11-03 19:00 - 22:00 | El Torito, 139 Keefer Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Van Slam will return to El Torito (139B Keefer St.) on November 3rd with the inimitable CHARLIE PETCH as our feature!
Doors: 7 pm
Sign up: 7:30 pm
Slam: 8 pm
$8 in advance at Zeffy.com
$10-15 @ the door
No one turned away for lack of funds
A note on Accessibility:
El Torito is a wheelchair accessible venue with a ramp.
Masks are encouraged when not seated and eating. Masks will be provided at the door. As we enter cold and flu season, and COVID has not ended, we encourage you to consider adding a layer of protection for the immunocompromised members of our community.
A warm thank you to the management for keeping their doors open once a month for our slam! 🎉❤️💯

ABOUT THE SLAM:
The Slam features an open mic, a feature poetry set presented by a notable poet, and a slam. Slam wins get you into the running to represent Vancouver in the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam at Verses Festival in April 2026. See more about Poetry Slam and Code of Conduct on our Website.
ABOUT OUR FEATURE:
Charlie Petch (they/he) is a disabled & transmasculine multidisciplinary artist. Their debut poetry collection, Why I Was Late (Brick Books), won the 2022 ReLit Award, and was named “Best of 2021” by The Walrus. Their next poetry book “Infinite Audition”, is launched in Fall 2025 with Brick Books. Petch received a Golden Beret Spoken Word Prize from the League of Canadian Poets. Their play “No one’s special at the hot dog cart” debuted in 2024 with “Theatre Passe Muraille and Public Energy”. They write plays, librettos, poems, and music and perform their work for audiences all over Turtle Island.

Vancouver Poetry Slam feat. Brittney Smaila
2025-10-06 19:00 - 22:00 | El Torito, 139 Keefer Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Van Slam will return to El Torito (139B Keefer St.) on October 6th!
Doors: 7 pm
Sign up: 7:30 pm
Slam: 8 pm
$8 in advance at Zeffy.com
$10-15 @ the door
No one turned away for lack of funds
El Torito is a wheelchair accessible venue.
A warm thank you to the management for keeping their doors open once a month for our slam! 🎉❤️💯
The Slam features an open mic, a feature poetry set presented by a notable poet, and a slam. Slam wins get you into the running to represent Vancouver in the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam at Verses Festival in April 2026. See more about Poetry Slam and Code of Conduct on our Website.
ABOUT OUR FEATURE:
Brittney Smaila
Brittney is a neuroscientist, poet, and educator who uses language to crack open complex ideas until they’re felt. Drawn to the heaviest light, she works in the space between science and story, giving form to the abstract without flattening it. On stage, her work mixes wit with vulnerability, pressing on the edges of power, memory, and human connection.

Language Justice: The Art of Living Experience Through Cultural-Linguistic Lens
2025-09-19 18:00 - 2025-09-20 20:00 | Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre, 7646 P
Meet the Cascadia Deaf Nation Stewards: Rei, Annie and Ashanti
Cascadia Deaf Nation is a vibrant capacity building social business committed to promoting community wellness within BIPOC Deaf communities. It also extends its services to broader communities in the beautiful and unceded Coast Salish territories within lush Cascadia bioregion.

Goals for the workshop:
Language Justice: The Art of Living Experience Through Cultural-Linguistic Lens is an opportunity for artists to gain insight on how language justice can be incorporated into their art work and for organizing better spaces for visibility of Linguistic Activism and Justice, with a broad lens on organizer and artist considerations in an event space and in creation/curation processes. The Cascadia team covers the roles of the stewards, the major concepts of Language Justice (LJ), and the vision for Community Equity and dissolution of ‘Phonocentrism’. Includes an opportunity for Q&A.
Presented by City of Vancouver Parks and Recreation, Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre, Cascadia Deaf Nation and Vancouver Poetry House.
Note: Each event is a stand-alone workshop session: $25 or PWYC

Schedule:

Friday, September 19th, 2025

Presentation from 6pm-7:30 with a 30 min Q & A. (Ends at 8pm)

Saturday, September 20th, 2025

Presentation from 6pm-7:30 with a 30 min Q & A. (Ends at 8pm)
Register (Zeffy.com)
https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/language-justice-the-art-of-living-experience-through-cultural-linguistic-lens

Vancouver Poetry Slam feat. Shima Aisha Robinson
2025-09-01 19:00 - 22:30 | Shamshiri Caveman, 139 Keefer St, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Vancouver Poetry Slam September– featuring Shima Aisha Robinson!
Monday, September 1st, 2025 at Shamshiri Caveman (139 Keefer St).
Doors: 7:00 PM | Sign up: 7:30 PM | Show: 8:00 PM
$8 Advance – BUY TICKETS
$10-$15 sliding scale at the door (no one turned away for lack of funds)
This slam includes a two-round poetry slam and an open mic. The show opens with the open mic and then the feature performance. Following a short break, we slam!
The slam offers poets an opportunity to qualify for the April 2026 Van Slam Finals. All poets who sign up for the slam will compete in the first round. The 4 highest-scoring poets after this round will perform again in the second round, earning points towards ‘Finals‘ qualification (based on their second-round ranking). To learn more about the slam format and the Van Slam Finals qualifying process, go to our website.

ABOUT OUR FEATURE:

Shima Aisha Robinson is an amiskwaciy-wâskahikan (Edmonton) born student, community builder, poet and spoken word artist who embodies, with every literary and scholarly effort, the ancient meaning of her chosen pen name. Dwennimmen is the name of an ancient African Adinkra symbol, which means strength, humility, learning and wisdom. It is no surprise, then, that this veteran of the Alberta poetry community uses a searing intellect and dynamic precision-of-language to create poetry which ushers her readers and listeners toward greater understanding and poignant reflection. For Shima Aisha Robinson aka Dwennimmen, poetry has long been a compass, a salve, an anchor and guiding light. She uses the potential and force of poetry to uncover the full range of her cerebral, linguistic and spiritual fortitude. This is why her every poem and performance testifies to an emerging power and wisdom, an authentic, deeply human potency which she hopes to pass on to listeners and poetry-lovers around the world. She is the author of two books including HORN, 2016, Denseverse (self published), and Bellow, 2022, Glass House Press. Shima is the 10th Edmonton Poet Laureate. See more of Shima’s work at denseverse.com

Vancouver Poetry Slam feat. Will Rideout
2025-07-07 19:00 - 22:00 | Shamshiri Caveman, 139 Keefer St, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Vancouver Poetry Slam returns in-person and online with a July slam featuring Will Rideout!
This month we are excited to feature set from USA poet, Will Rideout!! This slam includes a two-round poetry slam and an open mic. The show opens with the open mic and then the feature performance from Will. Following a short break, we slam! Note: This evening may include post-show karaoke if the spirit moves.
Monday, July 7, at Shamshiri Caveman (139 Keefer St).
Doors: 7:00 PM | Sign up: 7:30 PM | Show: 8:00 PM
$8 Advance – BUY TICKETS
$10-$15 sliding scale at the door (no one turned away for lack of funds)
To join ONLINE, register here
The slam offers poets an opportunity to qualify for the April 2026 Van Slam Finals. All poets in the slam will compete in the first round. The 4 highest-scoring poets after this round will perform again in the second round, earning points towards Finals qualification based on their second-round ranking.
To learn more about the slam format and the Van Slam Finals qualifying process, go to our website.
ABOUT OUR FEATURE:
Will Rideout is a Spoken Word poet that uses his Louisianan-Creole roots to catalyze his spirit into words. Having a natural stutter, his ancestors utilize him to perform. Pertaining to Blackness, his pieces dive into the soul and bring forth a mixture of emotions for those in attendance. His acclaims include being featured on HellaBlackHellaSeattle podcast, King 5 News, RainierAvenueRadio, Spare Change Newspaper, and traveling the West Coast.

Vancouver Poetry Slam feat. Derek Edenshaw
2025-06-02 20:00 - 22:00 | Shamshiri Caveman, 139 Keefer St, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Vancouver Poetry Slam returns in-person and online with a June slam featuring Derek Edenshaw!
In addition to a feature set from Derek Edenshaw and another by the hiphop crew associated with Panoptikon, part of Rumble Theatre’s Tremors Festival (see more infor: https://rumble.org/shows/tremors-festival-2025/), this slam includes a two-round poetry slam and a possible cypher if the spirit moves the poets in the room. Sign up for slam spots will be first come, first serve. The show opens with the feature performance, following a short break, we slam! Then we will hear from the Panoptikon crew. Note: This evening goes late! Come prepared to shake your booties or hands.
The slam offers poets an opportunity to qualify for the April 2026 Van Slam Finals. All poets in the slam will compete in the first round. The 4 highest-scoring poets after this round will perform again in the second round, earning points towards Finals qualification based on their second-round ranking. To learn more about the slam format and the Van Slam Finals qualifying process, read more here.
Monday, June 2nd, at Shamshiri Caveman (139 Keefer St)
Doors: 7:00 PM | Sign up: 7:30 PM | Show: 8:00 PM
$8 Advance – BUY TICKETS
$10-$15 sliding scale at the door (no one turned away for lack of funds)
To join ONLINE, register here
IMPORTANT: Zeffy provides services at zero cost to non-profits like ours. To make this possible, the platform adds an automatic 15% donation at check out. If you can support them, we hope you will, but understand not everyone can. To remove this expense, use the drop down menu to change to “Other” and enter “0.”
ABOUT OUR FEATURE:
Derek Edenshaw is a trained Aboriginal multimedia professional and creator. He has the name Khils-Guula-Gaayas (the good speaker) and represents the Gaakyaals kigawaay Clan. His goal is to include a honest healthy Aboriginal narrative in all aspects of society. His Haida and Metis/Cree background is imperative to how he approaches his work. He understands the needs of our communities and wishes to help out with visuals and sounds Although he spent his life as a Haida artist and performer, he is best known for his time spent as a hip hop artist under the name Manik 1derful. He currently does Haida art on various mediums which range from clothing , to large scale murals to jewelry. He believes in a positive, informed and an accurate representation of Indigenius Peoples and Culture. He is a knowledge and song keeper for the Haida peoples as well as a Midewin Pipe Carrier who has dedicated his entire life to the Indigenous way of life.

Vancouver Poetry Slam feat. MayaSpoken
2025-05-05 20:00 - 22:00 | Shamshiri Caveman, 139 Keefer St, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Vancouver Poetry Slam returns in-person and online with a May slam featuring newly-crowned (and two-time!) Canadian Individual Poetry Slam champion, MayaSpoken!
In addition to a feature set from MayaSpoken, this slam includes a short open mic and a two-round poetry slam. Sign up for open mic and slam spots will be first come, first serve. The show opens with the open mic and the feature performance. Following a short break, we slam!
The slam offers poets an opportunity to qualify for the April 2026 Van Slam Finals. All poets in the slam will compete in the first round. The 4 highest-scoring poets after this round will perform again in the second round, earning points towards Finals qualification based on their second-round ranking. To learn more about the slam format and the Van Slam Finals qualifying process, read more here.
Monday, May 5th, at Shamshiri Caveman (139 Keefer St)
Doors: 7:00 PM | Sign up: 7:30 PM | Show: 8:00 PM
$8 Advance – BUY TICKETS
$10-$15 sliding scale at the door (no one turned away for lack of funds)
To join ONLINE, register here
IMPORTANT: Zeffy provides services at zero cost to non-profits like ours. To make this possible, the platform adds an automatic 15% donation at check out. If you can support them, we hope you will, but understand not everyone can. To remove this expense, use the drop down menu to change to “Other” and enter “0.”
ABOUT OUR FEATURE:
MayaSpoken is an award-winning multidisciplinary spoken word artist. She is the author of self-published poetry novel “Warriors in Broad Daylight” and founder of platforms such as Spoken in the City Poetry Slam, Tell ‘Em Girl Women’s Spoken Word Showcase, and Loud Black Girls, where local poets are invited to share their stories loudly and without apology.
A two-time champion of Ottawa’s largest poetry slam OG500, Maya was also crowned the 2025 and 2023 Canadian Individual Spoken Word Champion and ranked 4th across the Americas. Her poetry is published internationally in anthologies “De las Periferias a las Fronteras” and “Poesía Y Disidencias” (2024), as well as CBC and “Black Ottawa Scene Magazine”. Through spoken word Maya tells her own story of overcoming to contribute to the urgency of larger conversations surrounding collective liberation and justice for all.

Canadian Individual Poetry Slam FINALS featuring Beau Sia
2025-04-19 20:00 - 22:30 | Chill-X Studio, 2270 Manitoba Street, Vancouver, Canada
After an intense preliminary competition, the top poets compete to crown the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam champion for 2025!
Before the competition begins, enjoy an incredible opportunity to see our poet of honour, Beau Sia, perform a feature set, and help us celebrate the recipient(s) of this year’s Zaccheus Jackson Nyce Memorial Award. Then sit back, but hold on tight, as the top 10 qualifying poets throw down in a no-holds-barred, three-round poetry slam to determine the 2025 champ!
This event will also stream live on the POETV YouTube channel.
Sat, April 19 at Chill X Studio (2270 Manitoba St)
Doors: 7:00 PM | Start: 8:00 PM
$20 in advance | $25 at the door

BUY TICKETS
Or see everything when you buy a Verses Festival Pass here!

Masterclass with Beau Sia - WORKSHOP
2025-04-19 15:00 - 17:00 | Chill-X Studio, 2270 Manitoba Street, Vancouver, Canada
A rare opportunity to learn from the incredible Beau Sia!
Verses Festival of Words poet of honour and legendary Spoken Word poet Beau Sia offers a masterclass that offers coaching, tips, and feedback to poets interested in performance and writing compelling work.
Sat, April 19 at Chill X Studio (2270 Manitoba St)
Doors: 2:30 PM | Start: 3:00 PM
$20 in advance | $25 at the door

REGISTER
Or buy a Verses Festival Pass here to register for 50% off!

Mashed Poetics: "Fully, Completely" by The Tragically Hip
2025-04-18 21:00 - 23:00 | Chill-X Studio, 2270 Manitoba Street, Vancouver, Canada
A longtime friend to Verses, Mashed Poetics returns with a showcase that brings music and poetry together as we celebrate The Tragically Hip album “Fully Completely”!
Poets are invited to create work inspired by a song, artist, or album. Then, in true concert style, Mashed Poetics performs covers of the songs, sharing stage with the poets who share their creations.
Friday, April 18th, at Chill X Studio (2270 Manitoba St)
Doors: 8:00 PM | Show: 9:00 PM
$15 Advance | $20 at the door (no one turned away for lack of funds
BUY TICKETS
Or see everything when you buy a Verses Festival Pass here!

LINEUP (Poets & Song Assignments):
Tariq Malik: “Courage”
Kim Trainor: “Looking for a Place to Happen”
Elee Kraljii Gardener: “At the 100th Meridian”
Nyla Bedard: “Pigeon Camera”
Tolua Oyedele: “Lionized”
Bradley Peters: “Locked in the Trunk of a Car”
Al Mader: “We’ll Go Too”
rudiejay: “Fully Completely”
Miss Christie Lee: “50 Mission Cap”
Kevin Wesaquate aka. PoetiK: “Wheat Kings”
Herbert: “The Wherewithal”
Catherine Garrett: “Eldorado”

Poetry Jam
2025-04-18 16:00 - 17:30 | Chill-X Studio, 2270 Manitoba Street, Vancouver, Canada
Always a fun event that offers opportunities for folks passionate about poetry to share work in a supportive environment!
At this open mic-style event, attendees can sign up when they arrive at the event to share poems in an informal setting.
Friday, April 18th, at Chill X Studio (2270 Manitoba St)
Doors: 3:30 PM | Start: 4:00 PM
By donation (Suggested $5)
REGISTER
Or buy a Verses Festival Pass here

Stage to Page - WORKSHOP
2025-04-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Chill-X Studio, 2270 Manitoba Street, Vancouver, Canada
Stage to Page returns for a public workshop where poets will explore ways to collaborate with music and other disciplines.
Industry experts from across artistic disciplines and sectors offer tips and feedback to poets on their works, culminating in a musical jam session.
Fri, April 18 at Chill X Studio (2270 Manitoba St)
Doors: 12:30 PM | Start: 1:00 PM
$8 in advance | $10 at the door

BUY TICKETS
Or see everything when you buy a Verses Festival Pass here!

Canadian Individual Poetry Slam Preliminaries Round 2
2025-04-17 19:30 - 22:30 | Chill-X Studio, 2270 Manitoba Street, Vancouver, Canada
The second round of competition features back-to-back slams as 24 of the best poets across Canada compete to see who will make Saturday night’s CIPS FINALS!
During Round 2, competing poets will perform 4-minute and 1-minute poems. This event will also stream live on the POETV YouTube channel.
Thursday, April 17th, at Chill X Studio (2270 Manitoba St)
Doors: 6:30 PM | Bout 1: 7:30 PM | Bout 2: 9:00 PM
$10 Advance | $15 at the door (no one turned away for lack of funds)
BUY TICKETS
Or see everything when you buy a Verses Festival Pass here!

Community Engaged Art & Spoken Word with Johnny D Trinh
2025-04-17 13:00 - 15:00 | Chill-X Studio, 2270 Manitoba Street, Vancouver, Canada
Location: Chill-X Studio
Time: 1:00 pm

This presentation is perfect for any artist or arts organization that is looking to produce community-engaged art projects. Johnny D Trinh, Vancouver Poetry House | Executive Artistic Director, Historic Joy Kogawa House | Interim Executive Director, Stage to Page Performance Society | Founding Artistic Producer, will present case studies of several different forms of Community-Engaged Art projects from organizations across Metro-Vancouver.

Take aways from this workshop include:

Best practices and accountabilities that all community-engaged art practitioners should consider during their process
Ethical questions that stakeholders should ask before, during, and after over the course of a project’s life
Some criticisms, and resources both academic and applied that will support the professional development of a community-engaged artist
Real time case studies that will showcase a range of historical and contemporary projects reflecting the current arts landscape

The workshop is grounded in principles of consent, inclusion, and equity- through a lens of autoethnography.

Find tickets here: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/b0020170-0033-4db1-8226-1308458c9ada

Canadian Individual Poetry Slam Preliminaries Round 1
2025-04-16 19:30 - 22:30 | Chill-X Studio, 2270 Manitoba Street, Vancouver, Canada
The first round of competition features back-to-back slams as 24 of the best poets across Canada begin the tournament that will determine the 2025 Canadian Poetry Slam Champion!
During Round 1, competing poets will perform 2-minute and 3-minute poems. This event will also stream live on the POETV YouTube channel.
Wednesday, April 17th, at Chill X Studio (2270 Manitoba St)
Doors: 6:30 PM | Bout 1: 7:30 PM | Bout 2: 9:00 PM
$10 Advance | $15 at the door (no one turned away for lack of funds)
BUY TICKETS
Or see everything when you buy a Verses Festival Pass here!

From Text to Performance with Donna Michelle St. Bernard
2025-04-16 15:00 - 17:00 | Chill-X Studio, 2270 Manitoba Street, Vancouver, Canada
Location: Chill-X Studio
Time: 3:00 pm

This session is formatted as a talk and facilitated dialogue where Governor General Award winning artist, Donna-Michelle St. Bernard will share knowledge on bridging disciplines of poetry, emcee, writing poetry, writing for theatre, and developing that work into performance. DM will impart knowledge on the various roles and collaborators that one may come across in the development process, and engage with participants to discuss/explore their work.

Link for tickets here: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/from-text-to-performance-with-donna-michelle-st-bernard

Write Bloody North Presents: The Launch of The ONEIRONAUT ∅2
2025-04-15 20:00 - 22:00 | Chill-X Studio, 2270 Manitoba Street, Vancouver, Canada
Poet Sheri-D Wilson launches the next volume of her epic work, The ONEIRONAUT ∅2
Come Celebrate as we launch the 2nd volume in a three-book one-story fantasy trilogy written in the beguiling words of poet Sheri-D Wilson. Sheri-D will be joined by friends: C.R. Avery, Billeh Nickerson, & Anjalica Solomon.
Tuesday, April 15th, at Chill X Studio (2270 Manitoba St)
Doors: 7:00 PM | Show: 8:00 PM
$10 Advance | $15 at the door (no one turned away for lack of funds)
BUY TICKETS

Or see everything when you buy a Verses Festival Pass here!

Oral Traditions
2025-04-14 19:00 - 22:00 | Chill-X Studio, 2270 Manitoba Street, Vancouver, Canada
One of the festival flagship events, “Oral Traditions” is an evening that amplifies diverse voices with a focus on oral traditions.
For 2025, led by Sonya Littlejohn, Oral Traditions will be a collaborative showcase with partners: Native Hip Hop Society, Wordsmiths, and Soul Stories. This event will celebrate Indigenous, Black, Poets of Colour from across the region. This year, Oral Traditions is a collaborative showcase of artists including Derek Edenshaw, Ant Loc (Savage Family), Franz Seachel, Imbali Blooming, Gabriel Teodoros, Christie Lee, Kinfolk Nation, fanny kearse, Ivanna Samuel, Marlo Browne, and Brandon Wint.
Monday, April 14th, at Chill X Studio (2270 Manitoba St)
Doors: 7:00 PM | Show: 8:00 PM
$10 Advance | $15 at the door (no one turned away for lack of funds)
BUY TICKETS
Or see everything when you buy a Verses Festival Pass here

Hullabaloo FINALS feat. Donna-Michelle St. Bernard
2025-04-12 19:30 - 22:00 | The Post at 750, 750 Hamilton St, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5B 0E9, Canada
The top four teams compete in one last slam to crown the 2025 champion!
Following the presentation of the Zaccheus Jackson Spirit of the Slam Award and a performance from an incredible headlining artist, Donna-Michelle St. Bernard, the four competing teams throw down in a final slam to determine the Hullabaloo champion and recipient of the Poe A Tree Trophy! Or mannequin… the trophy is definitely a mannequin… IT’S HULLABALOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
Sat, April 12th, at The Post at 750 (750 Hamilton St)
Doors: 7:00 PM | Start: 7:30 PM
FREE (Please RSVP)

Hullabaloo Prelim Slams Round 2!
2025-04-12 13:30 - 17:30 | The Post at 750, 750 Hamilton St, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5B 0E9, Canada
All Hullabaloo teams in Hullabaloo perform a mix of individual and group performances in poetry slam competitions!
Poetry presented with gusto and the enthusiastic support of all attending teams. Teams competing in Hullabaloo represent schools from Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Delta, Chilliwack and Victoria. At the end of the last set of slams, we will announce which four teams qualified for FINALS!
Sat, April 12th, at The Post at 750 (750 Hamilton St)
Doors: 1:00 PM | Start: 1:30 PM
FREE (Please RSVP)

Adventures in Poetryland - YOUTH WORKSHOPS
2025-04-12 10:00 - 12:00 | The Post at 750, 750 Hamilton St, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5B 0E9, Canada
Hullabaloo’s All Star poets offer up four 50-minute “mini masterclass” workshops for youth aged 13 to 18!
Participating youth can sign up for two out of four mini master classes (50-minute workshops) offered by King Kimbit, Spin El Poeta, Jozy & TBC.
Sat, April 12 at The Post at 750 (750 Hamilton)
Doors: 9:45 AM | Start: 10:00 AM
FREE for youth aged 13 to 18 | Space is limited!!

IMPORTANT:

Advanced registration required.
Registration opens to the public on April 4, 2025.
To find out more or receive a registration link, contact the Youth Coordinator.

WORKSHOP FACILITATORS:
King Kimbit
SPIN El Poeta
Jozy

Hullabaloo Prelim Slams: Round 1
2025-04-11 18:30 - 22:00 | Private: Vancouver Film School – Cordova, 151 Cordova St, Vancouver, BC, Canada
All Hullabaloo teams in Hullabaloo perform a mix of individual and group performances in poetry slam competitions!
Poetry presented with gusto and the enthusiastic support of all attending teams. Teams competing in Hullabaloo represent schools from Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Delta, Chilliwack and Victoria.
Friday, April 11th, at Vancouver Film School (151 W Cordova)
Doors: 6:00 PM | Start: 6:30 PM
FREE

Hullabaloo All Star Showcase
2025-04-11 12:30 - 14:00 | Private: Vancouver Film School – Cordova, 151 Cordova St, Vancouver, BC, Canada
King Kimbit, Spin El Poeta and Jozy dazzle and delight in a showcase of super powered spoken word!
On a workshop-style stage, the Hullabaloo All Stars present poems in conversation for an energetic and attentive audience!
Friday, April 11th, at Vancouver Film School (151 W Cordova)
Doors: 12:00 PM | Start: 12:30 PM
$10
BUY TICKETS
Or purchase a Verses Festival Pass here!

FEATURED ARTISTS:
King Kimbit
SPIN El Poeta
Jozy

Spoken Word Jamboree
2025-04-10 18:30 - 20:00 | Private: Vancouver Film School – Cordova, 151 Cordova St, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Gathered Hullabaloo teams introduce themselves with zany, hilarious and/or awkward 1-minute poems, then enjoy a showcase from festival alumni!
Join us to meet the teams and witness some poetic magic from former Hullabaloo participants, Angelic Goldsky and more!
Thu, April 10 at Vancouver Film School (151 W Cordova)
Doors: 6:00 PM | Start: 6:30 PM
FREE
FEATURED ARTISTS:
Angelic Goldsky

Verses 2025 Festival Pass ($50)
2025-04-10 08:00 - 2025-04-19 23:00 | Chill-X Studio, 2270 Manitoba Street, Vancouver, Canada
Verses Festival of Words

Celebrate the transformative power of language at Verses Festival of Words

About Verses Festival of Words
Canada’s largest alternative literary arts festival, Verses Festival of Words offers up dynamic programming celebrating a broad definition of literary arts, including spoken word poetry, storytelling, page-based poetry, singer-songwriters, improvisers, and more. Come be swept away in a wave of word-bending wonder, where activism and art take centre stage. Experience the transformative power of words, written, spoken, and sung.
2025 Verses Festival of Words: April 10-19

Buy a Verses Festival Pass here ($50): https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/verses-festival-of-words–2025

Van Slam FINALS feat. Neko Smart
2025-04-07 20:00 - 22:00 | Shamshiri Caveman, 139 Keefer St, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Join us on Monday, April 7th, for the 2025 Van Slam FINALS at Shamshiri Caveman (139 Keefer St)!
Come find out who will take the title of 2025 Vancouver Poetry Slam Champion and rep Vancouver at the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam!!
After two intense qualifying slams in March, the top 8 poets compete in a 3-round poetry slam to settle it all. The finalists – Aleda Kasey, Brittney Smaila, Celine, Ian Khoo, Ivanna Samuel, Jay, Jules, and Marlo Browne – will all perform 3-minute and 1-minute poems. The top four highest-scoring poets will move on to a final, winner-take-all round to determine the 2025 champion and CIPS rep!
But that’s not all, as we’ll also enjoy a set of poetry from two-time Van Slam champion Neko Smart!
Doors: 7:00 PM | Show: 8:00 PM
Entry: $8 Advance | $10-$15 sliding scale at the door (No one turned away for lack of funds)
BUY TICKETS
Can’t make it in-person? This event is hybrid, so you can join us online by registering here!
Want to know more about the Vancouver Poetry Slam format and the CIPS qualifying process? Find info here!
ABOUT OUR FEATURE:
Neko Smart is a recent graduate of UBC’s BFA Creative Writing program. As 2020 Victoria City Youth Poet Laureate, they emphasised the importance of cultivating open dialogue about mental health in order to reduce stigma and increase safety, particularly for youth. They carry this value with them in all their artistic and leadership endeavours: as a member of the organising committee for the 2020/2021 Victorious Voices youth arts festival, as a member of the Wordplay poetry workshop facilitation roster, and as former slam coordinator for the UBC Slam Poetry Club. They were a finalist in the 2023 and 2024 Canadian Individual Poetry Slams as the Vancouver rep.

Vancouver Poetry Slam feat. Catherine Lewis
2025-03-24 19:00 - 22:00 | Shamshiri Caveman, 139 Keefer St, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Join us on Monday, March 24th, for another Van Slam at Shamshiri Caveman (139 Keefer St)!
Vancouver Poetry Slam returns for our second of two slams qualifying poets for the April 7th Van Slam Finals!
This will be a 2-round poetry slam. The top 4 poets will qualify for the Van Slam Finals on April 7th where we’ll find out who represents Van Slam in the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam! The event begins with a 3-person open mic, followed by a performance from featured poet, Catherine Lewis. Following a short break, we’ll be back with a 2-round poetry slam!
Doors: 7:00 PM | Sign up: 7:30 PM | Show: 8:00 PM
Entry: $8 Advance | $10-$15 sliding scale at the door (No one turned away for lack of funds)
Purchase advanced tickets here or register to attend online here.

Can’t make it in-person? This event is hybrid, so you can join us online by registering here!
We’ll begin with a short open mic (3 spots), then enjoy a performance from an incredible feature poet, Catherine Lewis! Following a short break, we SLAM!
ABOUT THE SLAM:
The slam will feature up to 10 poets in the first round. The top four poets make it to the second round AND qualify for the Van Slam Canadian Individual Poetry Slam Qualifier on April 7!!
Both rounds have a 3-minute time limit (with a 10-second grace period). Standard slam rules apply: original work only; no props; no costumes; no musical accompaniment; no animal acts; and no nudity. But remember, as always: The point is NOT the points – the point is the POETRY!
Want to know more about the Vancouver Poetry Slam format and the CIPS qualifying process? Find info here!
ABOUT OUR FEATURE:
Born in Hong Kong and raised in Canada, Catherine Lewis (she/her) is a Chinese Canadian writer based on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples, colonially known as Vancouver. Her debut poetry chapbook Zipless (845 Press) is a finalist for two Bisexual Book Awards, and her work has been published in PRISM international, The Fiddlehead, The Humber Literary Review, Pulp Literature, and Plenitude Magazine. She has performed at the Verses Festival of Words, the Poets Corner Reading Series, and Word Vancouver.
A graduate of SFU’s Writer’s Studio Certificate program, she is a two-time Banff Centre Literary Arts alumna. Catherine holds a UBC Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Information Technology, and has worked as a software developer for over two decades.
