Vancouver Poetry House

VanSlam: Radical Love Slam
2024-02-12 07:30 - 22:00 (America/Vancouver) | Community Taps & Pizza, 1191 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC, V5L 3X3, Canada
Come join us for another night of slam poetry! As always, our event is in our hybrid live & online format. Bring yourselves and your words to Community Pizza, 1191 Commercial Dr, or to the Van Slam zoom space.
In honour of Valentines Day the theme is Radical Love! Bring your love poems, your heartbreak, your self-love, your lusty list poems, and your naughty limericks to the slam or the open mic.
Doors and signup at 7:30pm online and in person, show starts at 8:00.
Venue Accessibility
Masking Policy: Masks are encouraged, but the venue is a restaurant and members of the audience will be maskless.
VanSlam takes place on the Unceded, stolen Lands of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations and we wish to acknowledge & thank those people who have been stewards of this land since time immemorial. Van Slam is committed to engaging in the internal and external work of reconciliation.

VanSlam: Open Mic ft. Agartu Ali at Historic Joy Kogawa House
2024-02-19 19:30 - 20:00 | Historic Joy Kogawa House, 1450 West 64th Avenue, Vancouver, Canada
Come join us for another night of slam poetry! As always, our event is in our hybrid live & online format. Bring yourselves and your words to Historic Joy Kogawa House at 1450 W 64th Ave, or to the Van Slam zoom space.
Doors and sign up for the open mic are at 7:30, shor starts at 8:00!
Agartu Ali served as the former youth poet laureate for the city of Victoria. Serving as a champion for youth and the literary arts, Victoria’s Youth Poet Laureate seeks to inspire and engage local youth to share their stories through both the written and spoken word.
For as long as she can remember, poetry has moved her emotionally and motivated her to be an advocate for change in her community. Ali volunteers at numerous local elementary schools and community organizations and often uses poetry as a vehicle to connect with her community. These days Agartu focuses her work on ways that can represent her identity as a black woman and the immigrant experience.
Venue Accessibility
Masking Policy: Masks are encouraged, but the venue is open to the public and members of the audience may be maskless.
VanSlam takes place on the Unceded, stolen Lands of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations and we wish to acknowledge & thank those people who have been stewards of this land since time immemorial. Van Slam is committed to engaging in the internal and external work of reconciliation.

VanSlam: Last Chance Slam ft. Truth Is at Historic Joy Kogawa House
2024-02-26 19:30 - 22:00 | Historic Joy Kogawa House, 1450 West 64th Avenue, Vancouver, Canada
Come join us for another night of slam poetry! This is your last chance to compete for a place in the CIPS Qualifier! As always, our event is in our hybrid live & online format. Bring yourselves and your words to Historic Joy Kogawa House at 1450 W 64th Ave, or to the Van Slam zoom space.
Doors and sign up for the open mic are at 7:30, show starts at 8:00!
Truth Is…
As a Black, Queer, mother, warrior, poet, Truth Is … takes an unique approach to talking about the intricacies of life. Their intersectional approach allows for the audience to explore experiences, through an empathetic and compassionate lens, fostering empowerment, community, and resistance from shame.
Truth Is … has been on a dozen national slam teams since 2006. They are current co-artistic director of not-for-profit arts organization Guelph Spoken Word and has also been the past recipient of the 2018 National Poet of Honour distinction, the Min Sook Lee Labour Arts Awards and Guelph’s Top 40 under 40
Currently, Truth Is … is set to debut their long awaited “A Portrait of Palinoia” project, a celebration of the beauty, distinctiveness and magic of Black women in 2023.
Venue Accessibility
Masking Policy: Masks are encouraged, but the venue is open to the public and members of the audience may be maskless.
VanSlam takes place on the Unceded, stolen Lands of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations and we wish to acknowledge & thank those people who have been stewards of this land since time immemorial. Van Slam is committed to engaging in the internal and external work of reconciliation.

VanSlam: CIPS Qualifier ft. Abdulsalam!
2024-04-08 07:30 - 22:00 | Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society, 1607 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Come join us for another night of slam poetry! In partnership with Open Mic Night/ Art Gallery, it’s moment we’ve all been waiting for: the CIPS Qualifier! As always, our event is in our hybrid live & online format. Bring yourselves and your words to Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society at 1607 E Hastings St, or to the Van Slam zoom space.
Doors and sign up for the open mic are at 7:30, show starts at 8:00!
Abdulsalam is a Syrian-Palestinian spoken word poet and photographer. His poetry explores themes of exile, homeland, belonging, and love. Before resettling to Canada in 2021, Abdulsalam lived in Malaysia for nine years, finding refuge in the world of metaphors and storytelling. There, he performed at various events, including the well-known George Town Literary Festival. In 2023, Abdulsalam reached the finals at the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam (CIPS) in Vancouver and has featured at Regina Word Up.
Masking Policy: Masks are encouraged, but the venue is open to the public and members of the audience may be maskless.
VanSlam takes place on the Unceded, stolen Lands of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations and we wish to acknowledge & thank those people who have been stewards of this land since time immemorial. Van Slam is committed to engaging in the internal and external work of reconciliation.

Spoken Word Jamboree and Alumni Showcase
2024-04-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Vancouver Film School | VFS Cafe, 390 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada
TICKETS
A chance for the teams participating in Hullabaloo to meet and greet with one another. Following a showcase from three of Hullabaloo’s outstanding alumni, ll attending teams will perform a short 1-minute piece to introduce themselves.
Doors at 6, Show 6:30-9, PWYC
VFS Café, 390 West Hastings Street
Jeudi 18 avril, 18h00-21h00
Description : Une chance pour les équipes participant à Hullabaloo de se rencontrer et de se saluer. Après une présentation de trois des anciens élèves exceptionnels de Hullabaloo, toutes les équipes présentes interpréteront une courte pièce d’une minute pour se présenter.
Vancouver Film School, les portes à 6 heures, le spectacle de 18h30 à 21H, gratuit
Café VFS, 390, rue West Hastings

Hullabaloo – BC’s Youth Spoken Word Festival
Hullabaloo is BC’s Youth Spoken Word Festival. Students representing high schools from around the province share their poetry to appreciative audiences every year. Find out what the youth have to say.
Hullabaloo est le festival de création orale pour les jeunes de la Colombie-Britannique. Chaque année, des étudiants représentant des écoles secondaires de toute la province partagent leur poésie devant un public reconnaissant. Découvrez ce que les jeunes ont à dire.

Hullabaloo All Star Slam
2024-04-19 12:00 - 14:00 | Performance Works, 1218 Cartwright St, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3R8, Canada
TICKETS
Hullabaloo All Star Slam
Doors at 12:00, Show at 12:30
Hullabaloo’s All Star Slam brings to life the poignancy, hilarity and immediacy of poetry slam for local students! An interactive event, audience members engage in time-honored slam traditions, such as booing the scores (respectfully) and cheering wildly for the poets, with a Q&A afterwards. This year’s event features Patrick de Belen (Toronto), Erin Dingle (Calgary) and Chris Tse (Whitehorse). Not only stellar poets and well-established professional artists, these three are some of Canadian poetry slam’s most successful and decorated competitors!
Co-produced with Vancouver Writers Fest
Vendredi 19 avril, de 12h à 14h
Performance Works, les portes à 12h00, le spectacle à 12h30, 6 $
Le All Star Slam de Hullabaloo donne vie au caractère poignant, hilarant et immédiat du slam poétique pour les étudiant/es locales/aux ! Lors de cet événement interactif, les membres du public s’engagent dans des traditions du slam, telles que huer les partitions (respectueusement) et encourager sauvagement les poètes, suivis ensuite d’une séance de questions-réponses. L’événement de cette année met en vedette Patrick de Belen (Toronto), Erin Dingle (Calgary) et Chris Tse (Whitehorse). Non seulement des poètes éminents et des artistes professionnels bien établis, ces trois-là comptent parmi les concurrents les plus titrés et les plus décorés du slam poétique canadien!
1218, rue Cartwright, Vancouver
Coproduit avec le Vancouver Writers Fest

Hullabaloo Poetry Slam Round 1!
2024-04-19 18:30 - 22:00 | Vancouver Film School | VFS Cafe, 390 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada
TICKETS
Slams start at 6:30 & 8:30
All Hullabaloo teams in Hullabaloo perform a mix of individual and group performances in poetry slam competitions for the first time! Poetry presented with gusto and the enthusiastic support of all attending teams!
Vendredi 19 avril de 18h à 22h, début des Slams à 18h30 et 20h30
Café VFS
Toutes les équipes de Hullabaloo à Hullabaloo présentent pour la première fois un mélange de performances individuelles et de groupe dans des compétitions de slam de poésie ! De la poésie présentée avec brio et le soutien enthousiaste de toutes les équipes présentes !
École de cinéma de Vancouver / Gratuit
Hullabaloo – BC’s Youth Spoken Word Festival
Hullabaloo is BC’s Youth Spoken Word Festival. Students representing high schools from around the province share their poetry to appreciative audiences every year. Find out what the youth have to say.
Hullabaloo est le festival de création orale pour les jeunes de la Colombie-Britannique. Chaque année, des étudiants représentant des écoles secondaires de toute la province partagent leur poésie devant un public reconnaissant. Découvrez ce que les jeunes ont à dire.

Hullabaloo Poetry Slam Round 2!
2024-04-20 14:00 - 17:30 | Vancouver Film School | VFS Cafe, 390 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Doors at 1:30 PM, Bouts start at 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM
All Hullabaloo teams in Hullabaloo perform a mix of individual and group performances in poetry slam competitions for the second time! After this round of bouts, we’ll find out who qualifies for Hullabaloo FINALS!
Samedi 20 avril, 13h30-17h30, début des combats à 14h00 et 16h00
Toutes les équipes de Hullabaloo à Hullabaloo présentent pour la deuxième fois un mélange de performances individuelles et de groupe dans des compétitions de slam de poésie ! Après cette série de combats, nous découvrirons qui se qualifiera pour les FINALES Hullabaloo !
Café VFS, 390, rue West Hastings

Hullabaloo – BC’s Youth Spoken Word Festival
Hullabaloo is BC’s Youth Spoken Word Festival. Students representing high schools from around the province share their poetry to appreciative audiences every year. Find out what the youth have to say.
Hullabaloo est le festival de création orale pour les jeunes de la Colombie-Britannique. Chaque année, des étudiants représentant des écoles secondaires de toute la province partagent leur poésie devant un public reconnaissant. Découvrez ce que les jeunes ont à dire.

Hullabaloo FINALS featuring Marie Metaphor Specht
2024-04-20 20:00 - 22:00 | Vancouver Film School | VFS Cafe, 390 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada
TICKETS
Doors at 7:00 PM, Show at 8:00 PM
The top four Hullabaloo teams from preliminaries compete for the Hullabaloo championship! Feature performance by Marie Metaphor.
Samedi 20 avril, 19h00-22h00, Portes à 19h00, Spectacle à 20h00
Finales par équipe Hullabaloo avec Marie Metaphor
Les quatre meilleures équipes Hullabaloo des préliminaires s’affrontent pour le championnat Hullabaloo ! Performance de Marie Metaphor.
École de cinéma de Vancouver / Gratuit
Café VFS, 390, rue West Hastings

Hullabaloo – BC’s Youth Spoken Word Festival
Hullabaloo is BC’s Youth Spoken Word Festival. Students representing high schools from around the province share their poetry to appreciative audiences every year. Find out what the youth have to say.
Hullabaloo est le festival de création orale pour les jeunes de la Colombie-Britannique. Chaque année, des étudiants représentant des écoles secondaires de toute la province partagent leur poésie devant un public reconnaissant. Découvrez ce que les jeunes ont à dire.

Oral Traditions
2024-04-22 20:00 - 22:00 | Vancouver Film School | VFS Cafe, 390 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada
TICKETS
Doors at 7:30, show at 8
A celebration at the failed attempts to silence the Native voice. A collaboration between the Native Hip Hop Festival Society and Vancouver Poetry House.
Hosted by Derek Edenshaw

Lundi 22 avril, portes à 7h30, spectacle à 20h
Café VFS, 390, rue West Hastings | Billets 10$ PWYC
Une célébration des tentatives infructueuses visant à faire taire la voix autochtone. Une collaboration entre la Native Hip Hop Festival Society et la Vancouver Poetry House.
Avec:
Hôte : Derek Edenshaw

Famous Last Words
2024-04-23 19:00 - 20:30 | Vancouver Film School | VFS Cafe, 390 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada
TICKETS
Doors at 6:30, show at 7
A night of funny people and hilarious poems brought to you through a collaboration between Death Rides a Unicorn and Vancouver Poetry House.
In Famous Last Words, five contestants attempt to win their way into the heart of our master of ceremonies, Sara Bynoe through games designed to test their literary and comedic merit. With the assistance of the audience and her trusty sidekick Uni the Unicorn , our master of ceremonies will decide who performs best while dolphining a balloon on their nose; whose picture of a puppy most looks like a famous poet and whose poem directed at another panelist is most provocative.
Featuring:
Dina Del Bucchia, Duncan Shields, Marie Metaphor, Meris Goodfellow, Patrick de Belen, Sara Bynoe and Sonya Littlejohn

Mardi 23 avril, portes à 18h30, spectacle à 19h
Café VFS, 390, rue West Hastings | Billets 10$ à l’avance, 15$ à la porte
Une soirée de gens drôles et de poèmes hilarants présentés grâce à une collaboration entre Death Rides a Unicorn et Vancouver Poetry House.Dans Famous Last Words, cinq candidats tentent de gagner le cœur de notre maître de cérémonie, Sara Bynoe, à travers des jeux conçus pour tester leur mérite littéraire et comique. Avec l’aide du public et de son fidèle acolyte Uni la Licorne, notre maître de cérémonie décidera qui performera le mieux en faisant flotter un ballon sur son nez ; quelle photo d’un chiot ressemble le plus à un poète célèbre et quel poème adressé à un autre panéliste est le plus provocateur.
Avec:
Dina Del Bucchia, Duncan Shields, Marie Metaphor, Meris Goodfellow, Patrick de Belen, Sara Bynoe et Sonya Littlejohn
Broadcast live on POETV

Mashed Poetics | I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got
2024-04-23 21:00 - 23:00 | Vancouver Film School | VFS Cafe, 390 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada
TICKETS
Doors at 8:30, show at 9
Mashed Poetics is a night of spoken word and music mashups where poets present new work based on a music album chosen by the organizers. A live band plays all the songs live with the poets performing in between the songs and sometimes along with them. On Tuesday April 23rd we continue celebrating our 15th season of shows by featuring Sinead O’Connor’s “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got” at Vivace on the Dive and with Sinead O’Cpnnor cover band “Tosh and the Bad Comparisons” plus the following 10 poets…Jillian Christmas, Mary Duffy, Laurie Bricker, Roger Blenman, Timothy Shay, Shauna Paull, Adonis King, Steffi Tad-y, and Mariah Dear..
Mashed Poetics est une soirée de créations orales et de mashups musicaux où des poètes présentent de nouvelles œuvres basées sur un album de musique choisi par les organisateurs. Un groupe live joue toutes les chansons en direct avec les poètes jouant entre les chansons et parfois avec elles. Le mardi 23 avril, nous continuons à célébrer notre 15e saison de spectacles en présentant “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got” de Sinead O’Connor à Vivace on the Dive et avec le groupe de reprises de Sinead O’Connor “Tosh and the Bad Comparisons“. Plus les 10 poètes suivants… Jillian Christmas, Mary Duffy, Laurie Bricker, Roger Blenman, Timothy Shay, Shauna Paull, Adonis King, Steffi Tad-y et Mariah Dear.
Broadcast live on POETV

Embodying Spoken Word
2024-04-24 13:00 - 15:00 | The WISE Hall, 1882 Adanac Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5L4E5, Canada
TICKETS
Johnny Trinh Workshop
Performance Poetry is a practice that engages the body and the voice in the sharing of the words. The ways in which we communicate and perform work is as important as the formation of the words themselves.
In this workshop, poets who perform or want to perform their works will be invited to experiment with and practice various techniques in embodying their poetry in performance.
Areas covered in the workshop:

Physicalizing performance and exploring ways to maintain authenticity, intentionality, and clarity in the body.
Vocal health and sound production- learning techniques to maximize the efficiency of the voice and reducing tension/strain/wear and tear from phonation
Learn exercises and tools that engage the body in the support of memorizing words

The workshop will be delivered in English, and is readily accessible for most abilities, with adaptations available with notice. Please reach out to artisticdirector@vancouverpoetryhouse with specific adaptation needs when registering so we can ensure that we provide them to the best of our ability. Please contact artisticdirector@vancouverpoetryhouse.com if you would like to attend this workshop remotely using zoom.
This workshop focuses primarily on connecting physical gesture and body movement to vocal sound production. However, non-verbal participants are also able to participate, with options available to suit diverse needs.
Atelier avec Johnny Trinh
Mercredi 24 avril, de 13h à 15h (heure du Pacifique)
Salle SAGE | Gratuit

Incorporant Poésie Orale

La poésie performance est une pratique qui engage le corps et la voix dans le partage des mots. La manière dont nous communiquons et effectuons notre travail est aussi importante que la formation des mots eux-mêmes.

Dans cet atelier, les poètes qui interprètent ou souhaitent interpréter leurs œuvres seront invités à expérimenter et à pratiquer diverses techniques pour incarner leur poésie dans la performance.

Domaines abordés lors de l’atelier :

Physicaliser la performance et explorer des moyens de maintenir l’authenticité, l’intentionnalité et la clarté du corps.

Santé vocale et production sonore – techniques d’apprentissage pour maximiser l’efficacité de la voix et réduire les tensions/efforts/usures dues à la phonation

Apprenez des exercices et des outils qui engagent le corps dans la mémorisation de mots

L’atelier sera dispensé en anglais et est facilement accessible pour la plupart des niveaux, avec des adaptations disponibles avec préavis. Veuillez contacter artistiquedirector@vancouverpoetryhouse si vous avez des besoins d’adaptation spécifiques lors de votre inscription afin que nous puissions nous assurer que nous les fournissons au mieux de nos capacités. Veuillez contacter artistiquedirector@vancouverpoetryhouse.com si vous souhaitez assister à cet atelier à distance en utilisant zoom.

Cet atelier se concentre principalement sur la connexion du geste physique et du mouvement du corps à la production sonore vocale. Cependant, les participants non verbaux peuvent également participer, avec des options disponibles pour répondre à divers besoins.

Johnny D Trinh est le directeur artistique de la Vancouver Poetry House et un artiste interdisciplinaire engagé dans la communauté. Johnny a plus de 20 ans d’expérience dans la pratique de l’enseignement et l’étude du théâtre physique, de la voix et du texte, du chant classique, du yoga et du fitness. Trinh est co-coach principale de TEDxSurrey et a donné des ateliers et coaché ​​la prise de parole en public dans des environnements postsecondaires et professionnels à l’échelle internationale.

CIPS PRELIMS Bout 1
2024-04-24 18:30 - 20:30 | The WISE Hall, 1882 Adanac Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5L4E5, Canada
TICKETS
Doors open at 6pm for live and online audience
Poets will be paired up via random draw and compete head-to-head. The first round of poems are 3 minutes long. This will be a double knockout competition. Meaning 24 poets will compete with each other in 12 groups of 2. Bout two will be held on Thursday and Finals on Friday.
Mercredi 24 avril, de 18h30 à 20h30 (heure du Pacifique)
Wise Hall | Billets 15 $
Ouverture des portes à 18h pour le public en direct et en ligne
Les poètes seront jumelés par tirage au sort et s’affronteront en tête-à-tête. La première série de poèmes dure 3 minutes. Ce sera une compétition à double élimination directe. Cela signifie que 24 poètes s’affronteront en 12 groupes de 2. Le combat deux aura lieu jeudi et la finale vendredi.
Livestream: CIPS PRELIMS – Round 1
CANADIAN INDIVIDUAL POETRY SLAM
CIPS is a nationally recognized poetry slam. This year, the competition will take place online and in-person , as part of the Verses Festival of Words. 24 poets representing spoken word series and regions across Canada will compete in a head-to-head double knock out tournament, presenting poems that are 3 minutes in length. Winners of each head-to-head will be determined by 5 random judges from the in-person and/or online audiences. This judging system aligns with our vision of the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam Champion being chosen by fellow community members – without hierarchy, without prioritizing expertise, cultivating a way of accessing poetry for all.
CIPS est un slam poétique reconnu à l’échelle nationale. Cette année, le concours se déroulera en ligne et en présentiel, dans le cadre du Verses. 24 poètes représentant des séries de créations orales et des régions du Canada s’affrontent dans un tournoi à double élimination directe, présentant des poèmes d’une durée de 3 minutes. Les gagnants de chaque face-à-face seront déterminés par 5 juges aléatoires issus du public en personne et/ou en ligne. Ce système de jugement s’aligne sur notre vision du champion canadien de slam individuel de poésie choisi par les autres membres de la communauté – sans hiérarchie, sans prioriser l’expertise, cultivant un moyen d’accéder à la poésie pour tous.

Da Luv Jones Showcase
2024-04-24 21:00 - 23:00 | The WISE Hall, 1882 Adanac Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5L4E5, Canada
TICKETS
Produced in partnership with Fade to Black Entertainment and Vancouver Writers Fest
Doors at 8:30, show at 9pm
A showcase of Black poetics, featuring established and emerging poets to celebrate Black stories. Fade to Black Entertainment curates and produces events and programs that amplify and preserve historical and contemporary Black culture, recognizing its impact in the arts landscape. Their programs include Da Luv Jones Slam, Vancouver Black Independent Film Festival, and Vancouver Black Music Month led by Lincoln Thorne.
Réalisé en partenariat avec Fade to Black Entertainment et Vancouver Writers Fest
Le mercredi 24 avril, 9-10h30, les portes à 20h30
Wise Hall
10$ d’avance
15$ à la porte

Une vitrine de la poétique noire, mettant en vedette des poètes établis et émergents pour célébrer les histoires noires. Fade to Black Entertainment organise et produit des événements et des programmes qui amplifient et préservent la culture Africaine historique et contemporaine, reconnaissant son impact dans le paysage artistique. Leurs programmes comprennent Da Luv Jones Slam, le Vancouver Black Independent Film Festival et le Vancouver Black Music Month dirigé par Lincoln Thorne.
Hotesses: Sonya Littlejohn et Michelle St. Hill
Broadcast live on POETV

Love Letters for an Aching World
2024-04-25 10:00 - 11:15 | WISE Hall, 1882 Adanac Street, Vancouver, BC, V5L 4E5, Canada
TICKETS
Humans are capable of simultaneously holding both the love and the mess — how can we write to honour this duality?
This workshop offers space to explore writing as an act of love and to consider what it is to be human in a profoundly difficult yet terribly beautiful world. Together we will reflect, write, listen and discuss in a mutually respectful and collaborative atmosphere*.
Poetry is a way of reaching towards each other; of closing the spaces between us and this work can be how we imagine a way forward, how we birth new worlds.
Please come prepared with an open mind, something to write with and water or any refreshments you need to be comfortable.
*This workshop is a consent-focused space and participants can engage at whatever level is comfortable for them.
Accessibity
Vancouver Poetry House events take place on the ancestral territories of the Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh First Nations, whose lands were never sold, ceded, or relinquished,—lands that were taken. Vancouver Poetry House supports the resurgence of Indigenous culture and the work of Indigenous poets.

How to Fnck up a Poem
2024-04-25 15:00 - 16:30 | The WISE Hall, 1882 Adanac Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5L4E5, Canada
Chances are it’s happened to you. You’re at the mic, delivering your poem. Then something happens: maybe you stumble or say the wrong word, maybe you make eye contact with someone and get momentarily distracted, maybe an unexpected surge of emotion hits you, maybe the words simply stop coming to you. Whatever the case, the poem vanishes. Gone. And now you’re frozen on stage, desperately trying to recall the poem while a roomful of people stare at you. They snap. They call out, “You got this!” But you don’t got this… how do you rescue the moment?
In this workshop, we’ll look at ways to do just that! We’ll consider the way instinctive fight, flight or freeze responses kick in when a poem gets “dropped,” we’ll look at “fnck ups” from the audiences’ perspective, and we’ll explore ways to prepare for performance that improve our capacity to adapt in the moment. Drawing on training in improv and clown, and 15+ years of experience fncking up poems on stages big and small, Johnny will show how “fnck ups” create opportunities to make the audience love you even more!
IMPORTANT: Some exercises in this workshop deliberately re-create the stress of “dropping” the poem in front of an “audience” of other workshop participants. Participants should be prepared with a short poem or segment of a poem (approx 30 seconds) to share with other participants to learn and repeat in front of the group. Please consider work with content you’re comfortable hearing spoken by other participants who may not share your background or experience.
Accessibity
Vancouver Poetry House events take place on the ancestral territories of the Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh First Nations, whose lands were never sold, ceded, or relinquished,—lands that were taken. Vancouver Poetry House supports the resurgence of Indigenous culture and the work of Indigenous poets.

CIPS PRELIMS Bout 2
2024-04-25 18:30 - 20:30 | The WISE Hall, 1882 Adanac Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5L4E5, Canada
TICKETS
Doors open at 6 pm for live and online audience
Poets will be paired up via random draw and compete head-to-head. This will be a double knockout competition. The poets competing will be the 12 poets who lost in the First Preliminary Night. The top 6 poets who survive the first round, will compete against the 6 poets who were knocked out in the final round of the First Preliminary Night. This will determine the top 6 poets. Both rounds will be 3 minutes long.
Jeudi 25 avril de 18h30 à 20h30 (heure du Pacifique)
Salle SAGE | Billets 15 $
Ouverture des portes à 18h pour le public en direct et en ligne
Les poètes seront jumelés par tirage au sort et s’affronteront en tête-à-tête. Ce sera une compétition à double élimination directe. Les poètes en compétition seront les 12 poètes ayant perdu lors de la première soirée préliminaire. Les 6 meilleurs poètes qui ont survécu au premier tour affronteront les 6 poètes éliminés lors du tour final de la première soirée préliminaire. Cela déterminera les 6 meilleurs poètes. Les deux tours dureront 3 minutes.
Live on POETV: CIPS Preliminaries – Round 2

Stage to Page: Interdisciplinary Edition
2024-04-26 14:00 - 15:30 | The WISE Hall, 1882 Adanac Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5L4E5, Canada
TICKETS
Masterclass
Featuring: Leo Johnson, Adrian Neblett, CR Avery, Jon Hedderwick, Kimmortal, Chris Tse
Hosted by: Johnny D Trinh
Stage to Page produces public masterclasses/workshops led by a panel of industry professionals featuring poets, producers, theatre makers, and more. Vancouver Poetry House is partnering with Stage to Page Performance Society to bring a special public masterclass for Verses 2024. Audiences are allowed to audit and attend the workshop even if they are not being workshopped.
This year, Stage to Page, broadens the scope of interdisciplinary work. Selected poets will be invited to have their submitted poems workshopped and discussed in terms of combining it with music, theatre, and alternative art forms. Their work will be read and performed by the panelists. Concepts on how the pieces may be produced through theatre, culinary art, site specific work, and installation will be discussed. Followed by a collective creation, where artistic producer/host, Johnny D Trinh will facilitate an improvised jam session to take the work further. Following the jam, will be a Q&A period with the panelists and poets.
Workshop participants will be selected by a submission process which will open in March. For more information: stagetopageperformance@gmail.com
Wise Hall, de 14h à 15h30 (heure du Pacifique)
Billets 20 $
Avec : Leo Johnson, Adrian Neblett, CR Avery, Jon Hedderwick, Kimmortal, Chris Tse
Hôte : Johnny D. Trinh
Stage to Page produit des masterclasses/ateliers publics animés par un panel de professionnels de l’industrie comprenant des poètes, des producteurs, des créateurs de théâtre et bien plus encore. La Vancouver Poetry House s’associe à la Stage to Page Performance Society pour organiser une masterclass publique spéciale pour Verses 2024. Le public est autorisé à auditer et à assister à l’atelier même s’il ne participe pas à un atelier.
Cette année, Stage to Page élargit la portée du travail interdisciplinaire. Les poètes sélectionnés seront invités à participer à un atelier et à discuter de leurs poèmes soumis en termes de combinaison avec la musique, le théâtre et des formes d’art alternatives. Leurs travaux seront lus et interprétés par les panélistes. Les concepts sur la manière dont les pièces peuvent être produites à travers le théâtre, l’art culinaire, le travail spécifique au site et l’installation seront discutés. Suivie d’une création collective, où le producteur artistique/animateur, Johnny D Trinh animera une jam session improvisée pour pousser le travail plus loin. Après le jam, il y aura une période de questions-réponses avec les panélistes et les poètes.
Les participants à l’atelier seront sélectionnés selon un processus de soumission qui s’ouvrira en mars. Pour plus d’informations : stagetopageperformance@gmail.com

CIPS FINALS
2024-04-26 18:30 - 21:00 | The WISE Hall, 1882 Adanac Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5L4E5, Canada
TICKETS
Doors open at 6 pm for live and online audience
Featuring Lillian Allen
Live on POETV: Finals
The top 6 poets from Preliminary Round 1, and the top 6 poets from Second Chance Night will go head to head. The knockout format is as follows: 6 groups of 2, 2 groups of 3 and the final faceoff between two poets and then the last poet standing will be crowned the CIPS winner.
The 7th Poet Laureate of Toronto, Lillian Allen is a professor of creative writing at Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD). Two time JUNO Award winner and trailblazer in the field of spoken word and dub poetry, Allen artistically explores the aesthetics of old and new sounds in music to create her distinctive leading edge brand of Canadian reggae with new world sounds in her poetry recordings, with her powerful reggae dub poetry/spoken word recordings including her latest single Woken & Unbroken (2018), album ANXIETY (2012), her groundbreaking first solo Juno awardwinning album Revolutionary Tea Party, a Ms. Magazine Landmark Album, followed by another Juno winner, Conditions Critical. Her third album, Freedom & Dance and her recording for children and young people, Nothing But a Hero, were released to critical acclaim.
Le vendredi 26 avril, de 18h30 à 21h (heure du Pacifique)
L’ouverture des portes à 18h pour le public en direct et en ligne
Wise Hall | Billets 18 $
Avec Lillian Allen
Les 6 meilleurs poètes du premier tour préliminaire et les 6 meilleurs poètes de Second Chance Night s’affronteront. Le format des éliminations est le suivant :
6 groupes de 2,
2 groupes de 3
et la confrontation finale entre deux poètes
Puis le dernier poète debout sera couronné vainqueur du CIPS.
Lillian Allen, 7e poète lauréate de Toronto, est professeur d’écriture créative à l’Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD). Deux fois lauréate d’un prix JUNO et pionnière dans le domaine de la création parlée et de la poésie dub, Allen explore artistiquement l’esthétique des sons anciens et nouveaux dans la musique pour créer sa marque avant-gardiste distinctive de reggae canadien avec des sons du nouveau monde dans ses enregistrements de poésie, avec elle de puissants enregistrements de poésie et de créations orales reggae dub, dont son dernier single Woken & Unbroken (2018), son album ANXIETY (2012), son premier album solo révolutionnaire, Revolutionary Tea Party, lauréat d’un prix Juno, un album phare de Ms. Magazine, suivi d’un autre lauréat Juno, Conditions Critique. Son troisième album, Freedom & Dance, et son enregistrement pour enfants et jeunes, Nothing But a Hero, ont été acclamés par la critique.
Followed by a performance by Kimmortal, 9pm $5 at the door
Kimmortal is a queer non-binary filipinx artist and rapper known for their powerful stage presence and multi-dimensional approach to music. A musician with a background in art and theatre, Kimmortal’s honest wordplay and visuals tell stories of reclaiming one’s power and confronting social issues facing their generation. Their concept album “X marks the Swirl” was longlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, recognized as top 19 albums of 2019 via CBC, and nominated in the 2020 “Hip Hop and Rap” category of Breakout West Music Awards. Kimmortal has opened for some of their favorite artists including Thundercat, Shad K, Ruby Ibarra, Saba, and Saul Williams. They have performed in SXSW, Junofest, Rifflandia, NXNE, Winnipeg Pride Festival and Reeperbahn Germany. Their third album shoebox is out everywhere now.
Suivi d’une performance de Kimmortal, 21h 5$ à la porte
Kimmortal est un/e artiste et rappeur/e philippin/e queer non binaire connu/e pour sa puissante présence scénique et son approche multidimensionnelle de la musique. Musicien/e avec une formation en art et en théâtre, les jeux de mots et les visuels honnêtes de Kimmortal racontent des histoires de reconquête de son pouvoir et de confrontation aux problèmes sociaux auxquels sa génération est confrontée. Leur album concept « Xmarks the Swirl » a été sélectionné pour le Polaris Music Prize, reconnu parmi les 19 meilleurs albums de 2019 via CBC et nominé dans la catégorie « Hip Hop et Rap » 2020 des Breakout West Music Awards. Kimmortal a ouvert pour certains de leurs artistes préférés, notamment Thundercat, Shad K, Ruby Ibarra, Saba et Saul Williams. Iel se sont produit au SXSW, au Junofest, à Rifflandia, au NXNE, au Winnipeg Pride Festival et à Reeperbahn Germany. Leur/e troisième album Shoebox est désormais disponible partout.

CANADIAN INDIVIDUAL POETRY SLAM
CIPS is a nationally recognized poetry slam. This year, the competition will take place online and in-person , as part of the Verses Festival of Words. 24 poets representing spoken word series and regions across Canada will compete in a head-to-head double knock out tournament, presenting poems that are 3 minutes in length. Winners of each head-to-head will be determined by 5 random judges from the in-person and/or online audiences. This judging system aligns with our vision of the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam Champion being chosen by fellow community members – without hierarchy, without prioritizing expertise, cultivating a way of accessing poetry for all.

Public Keynote - Lillian Allen | The Nest - Granville Island
2024-04-27 15:00 - 16:00 | The Nest, 1398 Cartwright St 3rd Floor, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3R8, Canada
TICKETS
Dub Poet, educator, changemaker, Lillian Allen will be offering a talk on spoken word, the movement ahead, and what is needed to continue the evolution of spoken word poets. In partnership with Vancouver Writers Fest.
Please note this is a Mask Mandatory Event.
Poète dub, éducatrice et actrice du changement, Lillian Allen offrira une conférence sur la création parlée, le mouvement à venir et ce qui est nécessaire pour poursuivre l’évolution des poètes de la création parlée.
Broadcast live on POETV

Write Bloody North Author Showcase
2024-04-27 17:00 - 19:00 | The Nest, 1398 Cartwright St 3rd Floor, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3R8, Canada
TICKETS
Write Bloody North authors from across Canada will be sharing readings of their publications. Write Bloody North publishes spoken word artists from diverse genres, this promises to be an engaging and moving performance from some of Canada’s leading spoken word poets. In partnership with Vancouver Writers Fest.
Please note this is a Mask Mandatory Event.
Les auteurs de Write Bloody North de partout au Canada partageront des lectures de leurs publications. Write Bloody North publie des artistes de poésie orale de divers genres. Cela promet d’être une performance engageante et émouvante de la part de certains des plus grands poètes orales du Canada.
Broadcast live on POETV

From the Lost and Found Department
2024-05-06 19:00 | Morrow Creative Space, 910 Richards St. – Unit 204, Vancouver, BC, Canada
May 6th at 7:00 pm
910 Richards St. – Unit 204

A reading of Joy Kogawa ft. Joy Kogawa & Poets including
Renite Gosal
Johnny Trinh
Ange Yeung
Hari Alluri
Catherine Lewis
Herbert Fong
Alongside the esteemed author herself, an ensemble of poets will read excerpts from Joy Kogawa’s collection, From the Lost and Found Department. Curated by Johnny Trinh, the ensemble will also be sharing their own works inspired by the collection. Joy Kogawa has intended From the Lost and Found Department to be her final book. Copies will be available for purchase at the event.

Tickets Sliding scale $15 – $25 – $40

CO-PRESENTED BY
Joy Kogawa House
Vancouver Poetry House
Odd Meridian Arts

More information at the Odd Meridian event page.

Art Overhead in Partnership with Downtown Van
2024-07-31 08:00 - 2024-09-30 17:00 | Robson Square
Downtown Van in collaboration with the Vancouver Poetry House, is thrilled to launch the summer installation of the “Art Overhead” series!

Downtown Van is kicking of their Art Overhead installation series this year by celebrating Pride month with colourful translucent letters forming an excerpt from SJ Valiquette’s poem “Pride,” which will be casting beautiful shadows on the Robson Square Plaza during the summer months. The installation will be up from July 31st to September 30th, 2024.
Photography Tips

Make sure to visit between 10 AM – 2 PM as the sun will be at its highest point and the reflection of the poem will be in its best form.
If taking a photo from below, the words will be mirrored. Flip the image to get the correct view.

Read the full poem here.

Vancouver Poetry House AGM
2024-08-17 15:00 - 18:00 | Historic Joy Kogawa House, 1450 West 64th Avenue, Vancouver, Canada
The Vancouver Poetry House Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday, August 17, 3pm, at the Historic Joy Kogawa House (1450 West 64th Avenue Vancouver, BC V6P 2N4). A virtual option is available using Zoom
Let us Know You’re attending: Please Register to Attend AGM Below
Everyone is welcome to the AGM but only members will be able to vote.
New members must wait for 30 days before they can vote so you must have become a member on or before July 19th. Renewing members can vote right away. If a member allows their membership to lapse for more than 30 days then they need to wait for 30 days before they can vote.
Forget to Renew? Become a Member or Renew Here
Making a motion at the AGM:
As in past years, we will be using an anonymous virtual ballot system.
Submitting a motion:
To submit a motion in advance email the motion to: admin@vancouverpoetryhouse.com by July 25th 2024.
The AGM may be recorded (in video and audio) solely to create accurate minutes. We will destroy the recording when the minutes are complete.

Venue Accessibility:
This is a masked meeting. Face masks will be provided if you forget to bring yours
This is also hybrid event.
The Historic Joy Kogawa House has 5 steps, if you would prefer to attend in person and have accessibility needs please email: admin@vancouverpoetryhouse.com
Current Board Members
Catherine Lewis
Michelle Ibalio
Parv Sachdeva
Amanda Eagleson
Lucy Yang
Below is a link to the VPH bylaws and policy that describe board composition and AGM guidelines.
VPH By-Laws and Policy Manual

Mentors on the Mic at Word Vancouver
2024-09-28 14:00 - 15:30 | UBC Robson Square, 800 Robson St, Vancouver, BC, V5S0G4, Canada
Vancouver Poetry House is excited to sponsor this event as part of Word Vancouver this year!
Poets need teachers, and opportunities to grow. Sometimes mentors are found in a classroom, in a workshop, on stage, in the community. Sometimes, all it takes is someone to give us a chance, or teach us that one important lesson that sets us on our path. This panel invites some of Vancouver’s most engaged Spoken Word Poets who have mentored, taught, and significantly impacted many poets across the country. Moderated by Johnny D Trinh, this panel – including CR Avery, Johnny MacRae, Kiran Kaur, Leslie Stark, and Brandon Wint – promises to be an engaging and powerful gathering that will be filled with diverse poetic performances, and discussion.
When: Saturday, September 28 – 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Where: HSBC Hall in UBC Robson Square (located at the bottom of the staircase on the classroom level)
Cost: FREE

MRG Live presents Shane Koyczan at Vogue Theatre
2024-12-05 19:00 - 22:00 | Vogue Theatre, 918 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
MRG Live presents Shane Koyczan at Vogue Theatre*
Thursday, December 5th
Doors @ 7:00 PM / Show @ 8:00 PM
$29.50 – $34.50 (+fees)
Tickets available here
There are some artists who happen to be in the right place at the right time: that moment when the door is still slightly open and there’s just enough space to sneak through.
Then there are those artists who find themselves standing in front of a closed door, but instead of waiting for it to open they kick it in to go through. In the rise of Spoken Word’s popularity, that open door cannot be discussed without saying the name Shane Koyczan.
In 2010, the world caught a glimpse of Koyczan’s prodigious talent with his presentation at the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. This stand-out performance helped shine a light on this street poet from Vancouver’s downtown east side.
Shane had been an artist, inches away from living on the street, who even in those troubled times was putting out work like To This Day, a video that’s garnered 24 million views and is used worldwide in classrooms as a teaching tool, as well in speech and forensic competitions. His second book, Stickboy, was adapted into an opera by Vancouver Opera. His voice has been sought after by luminaries like George Miller, who worked with Shane on Mad Max: Fury Road. Koyczan also created the piece, Shoulders, which he toured with David Suzuki as part of The Blue Dot Tour, a movement to enshrine environmental rights in the constitution.
A collaborator with artists such as Ani DiFranco, Dan Mangan, Tanya Tagaq, and others, Koyczan has elevated the art form of Spoken Word from its humble beginnings in afterhour cafes to stages both grand and distant. Shane brings an authenticity to his work that connects with audiences, as evidenced by his fiercely honest TED Talk, which highlights the kind of humanity he brings to each performance.
Not just a poet moving on from one subject to the next, Shane weavves his pieces together in a spellbinding narrative that show audiences themes that stretch over our lives. Koyczan continues to trek through the difficult parts of our existence with humour in heart, and a notepad in hand; he scribbles down the whispers inside us and uses laughter as a poultice to press against our wounds.
In 2017 Shane invited us deep into family trauma with the documentary “Shut Up And Say Something”, an emotional trip through his past as he comes to terms with his estranged father. The film went on to win Most Popular Documentary at Vancouver International Film Festival, moving audiences with its bravery and vulnerability.
After a number of critical successes in the book world, Shane chose to depart from convention and carve out his own path as an independent artist. Koyczan launched his own publishing house, Stickboy Press, whose first collection was brought to life by a crowd funding campaign in which 1,688 backers pledged $91,154 to make A Bruise On Light, a Guinness record holder as the most money raised through crowdfunding for a book of poetry.
Shane followed this success by publishing two graphic novels, Silence Is A Song I Know All The Words To and Turn On A Light. It feels safe to say that there seems no territory beyond the reach of Koyczan’s pen or of his heart. An artist whose work has transgressed genres and given breath to a new generation of voices, Shane Koyczan wears the mantle of human and dares others to discover what that means.
A self-motivating machine, Shane also recently released a new collection of poems called The Basement In My Attic, and worked with Theytus Books to publish Inconvenient Skin, a journey into Canada’s own troubled history with residential schools and the treatment of indigenous people.
It feels safe to say that there seems no territory beyond the reach of Koyczan’s pen or of his heart. An artist whose work has transgressed genres and given breath to a new generation of voices, Shane Koyczan wears the mantle of human and dares others to discover what that means
ACCESSIBILITY INFO
Patrons requiring accessible seating should purchase the accessible seating marked on the seat map. Please reach out to accessibility@themrggroup.com for any special arrangements needed at the venue or if you require companion seating.

*Vancouver Poetry House is a promotional partner for this event. Any inquiries about the event should be directed to MRG Live.

Series Registration for 2025 Canadian Individual Poetry Slam
2025-02-01 00:00 - 2025-02-28 23:59 | British Columbia
Register your slam series to submit a representative to compete in the 2025 Canadian Individual Poetry Slam! Registration is open exclusively to series until February 28, 2025.
CIPS 2025 takes place in Vancouver and online from April 16th to 19th. All CIPS events will take place at Chill X Studio (2270 Manitoba St) in Vancouver’s Mt. Pleasant neighbourhood. To register your series: complete this form

If you are an individual poet hoping to compete in CIPS, but your local series qualifier won’t be held until after this date, we recommend that you to register as a Storm Poet to ensure your spot in CIPS is guaranteed. Storm Poet registration will open at 12:00 noon (PST) on March 1, 2025 and will be on a first come, first served basis.
ABOUT SERIES REGISTRATION
The cost to register a series rep is $75. As soon as possible following registration, you will receive an email from the CIPS Tournament Director to confirm that registration has been received, as well as information about how to complete payment.
Your series does NOT need to have selected its representative in order to be registered. Completing the registration process will ensure a spot is held for them. If your series rep is not yet known, we ask that you return to update the form once you have their information.
CIPS FORMAT:
CIPS will return to the original format in 2025:

All participants will perform in two, 2-round preliminary bouts on April 16th and April 17th.
The 10 highest-ranked poets after preliminaries will compete in CIPS Finals on April 19th.
Preliminary bouts will feature up to 12 poets, with random judges giving scores between 0 and 10. Bouts on April 16th will feature 2-minute and 3-minute poems. Bouts on April 17th will feature of 4-minute and 1-minute poems. CIPS Finals on April 19th will feature three rounds of 3-minute poems, with “cut from below” elimination reducing the field between each round.

Full competition information is available here. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the CIPS Tournament Director, Matt Miller, at cips@vancouverpoetryhouse.com.

Poetry Jam #1
2025-02-20 19:00 - 20:30 | Historic Joy Kogawa House, 1450 West 64th Avenue, Vancouver, Canada
Feb 18, 2025 – UPDATE: Due to Covid exposure at Historic Joy Kogawa House, this event will be ONLINE ONLY.

ABOUT POETRY JAM
“It takes a community to build an artist, whether we resist against it, or are nurtured by it.”
For all poets and folks interested in spoken word poetry. Poetry Jam offers an opportunity for folks to write, edit, rehearse, discuss, and share spoken word poetry. Led by Vancouver Poetry House Artistic Director, and Historic Joy Kogawa House Interim Executive Director, Johnny D Trinh, this series aims to remove the pressure of performance at a slam or open mic, and amplify the space and time needed to explore, be weird, and practice the craft together. Come as a witness to see the action happening, or sign up at the door to share your work and get feedback!
Up to 17 people can attend in person. Spots available for around 5-6 people who want to sign up to share and receive feedback on their poems. Sign up happens at the event.
Date: Thurs, Feb 20th, 2025
Time: Doors: 6:30 | Jam: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Where: Online Only
Cost: $10 suggested (No one turned away for lack of funds)
To join: Register on ZEFFY.
ACCESSIBILITY NOTE:

Unfortunately, Historic Joy Kogawa House is not currently wheelchair accessible and may pose challenges for some individuals with mobility-related access needs. Here are some specifications for your consideration:

A low-slope ramp allows access to the front yard
There are 5 steps leading to the front door, each 121.5 cm in width and 8 cm in height
The front door and dining room entry are 85 cm wide
The bathroom entry is 70 cm wide, with 17 cm clearance on each side of the toilet
The house has a range of chairs with arms and without arms
Assistance animals are welcome

Additionally, please note that while this event will not be mask-mandatory, in-person attendees are strongly encouraged to wear masks for the safety and comfort of their fellow attendees.
If you have specific questions or concerns about accessibility at Historic Joy Kogawa House, please connect with them using their contact form.
If you have questions or concerns about matters pertaining to the accessibility and inclusivity of Vancouver Poetry House events, please contact the Inclusion Coordinator, Sonya Littlejohn, at inclusion@vancouverpoetryhouse.com.

CIPS Storm Poet Registration
2025-03-01 12:00 - 2025-03-10 23:59 | British Columbia
UPDATE: REMAINING SPOTS ARE FULL. A WAITLIST HAS STARTED.
Register as a Storm Poet for the 2025 Canadian Individual Poetry Slam!!
CIPS takes place from April 16 to April 19, 2025. All competing poets must be available for CIPS Orientation on the morning of April 16th, as well as evening competitions (beginning at 7 PM PST) on April 16, 17 and 19.CIPS is a hybrid competition: poets may choose to compete in-person or online (via Zoom). All in-person events will take place at Chill X Studio (2270 Manitoba St).

ABOUT REGISTRATION

Spaces are available on a first come, first served basis. To secure a spot in CIPS, fill out this registration form.

Once your form response has been received by the CIPS Tournament Director, you will receive an email to confirm your registration status and, if applicable, how to complete payment. The cost to register is $75. Poets on the wait list will be invited to pay registration if or when a spot opens up.

Poets registered in CIPS receive a Verses Festival Pass (which provides discounted registration to for the Beau Sia master class) and free registration in workshops that are exclusive to CIPS poets.

CIPS FORMAT:
CIPS will return to the original format in 2025:

All participants will perform a minimum of 4 poems during two, 2-round preliminary bouts on April 16th and April 17th.

Preliminary bouts will feature up to 12 poets, with randomly selected judges giving scores between 0.0 and 10.0.
Bouts on April 16th will feature 2-minute and 3-minute poems.
Bouts on April 17th will feature of 4-minute and 1-minute poems.

The 10 highest-ranked poets after preliminaries will compete in CIPS Finals on April 19th.

CIPS Finals will feature three rounds of 3-minute poems, with “cut from below” elimination reducing the field between each round from 10 to 7 to 4.
Poets must NOT repeat any material during the competition.

Full details about the competition are available here.
