Vancouver Poetry House

Vancouver Poetry Slam featuring Brian "Koyote" McCracken
2017-05-29 20:00 - 22:00 (America/Vancouver) | DMP-300×190
The Summer slam season is here which means an altered format from the rest of the year. During the Summer season poets are asked to perform up to 2 minute, 1 minute and 4 minute long poems. 12 poets in the first round 6 in the second and the top 3 scoring poets in the third round…barring any ties.
Poets who make the third round earn points towards making the Vancouver Individual World Poetry Slam Playoffs and a chance to go to IWPS in the U.S. and represent Vancouver at the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam in April 2018.
This week’s feature is Brian “Koyote” McCracken from Olympia, Washington. Brian is Poet, Rabblerouser, Truth-Seeker, and Wanderer! Organizer, Lover and Friend trying to get by in the Trump era of the United States.
It’s $6-$10 sliding scale. Sign up to perform is 7pm. Show starts at 8 o’clock.
This event along with our daily lives in Vancouver is taking place on the unceded territories of the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh peoples.
We also strive to have trans friendly gender bending events inclusive of all orientations and experiences. Please help us do that.

Youth Slam "Almost Anything Goes Anarchy Slam" featuring Britta B.!
2017-05-22 20:00 - 22:30 | DMP-300×190
Every year we like to set aside one poetry slam where we invite poets to break the poetry slam rules to see what sort of creative mischief they can come up with.
Poets are encouraged to use props and costumes or to perform group pieces and cover poems to use the cafe space in wild and imaginative ways.
It’s our annual “almost anything goes anarchy slam” for poets 13-20 years of age.
We’ll also be featuring the return of Britta B. Britta was our 2013 Youth Slam Finals Feature and is FINALLY back!
“Britta B. is a spoken word poet and arts educator. Originally from Kingston, ON, she now resides in Toronto’s Regent Park. Britta has performed on stages across North America and continues to collaborate with community organizations like UNITY Charity, RISE Edutainment, Leave Out Violence Ontario (LOVE) and The Stephen Lewis Foundation. When she’s not writing or educating, Britta is emceeing breakdance battles, acting in community theatre plays and travelling abroad”
We acknowlege this event is taking place on unceded Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh territories.
We strive to be a trans friendly event. Please help in moving towards that goal.
Be kind to our volunteers. It’s cash only at the door and sometimes we fill the venue to capacity and folks have to wait in line. Please be patient if that happens to you.
$4 for 18 and under. $6-$10 for 19 and older.
rcarcee2@gmail.com

Chicken Session #26 Community Backyard Stage
2017-04-30 12:00 - 15:30 | Agendas & Minutes
House concert, poetry and story performance, potluck, party, and some Louisiana hospitality. Chicken Session #26 is a Sunday afternoon backyard brunch with Poet Al Mader and Musician Lexi Marie, as well as debut work by others in 12 open mic spots beforehand. Bring food to share!
Noon — Food and Socializing
1:00 pm Performances Begin including:
10 Open Mic spots for one piece (will be listed as they are signed up):

Frankie McGee
Kelsey Savage;
Francis Arevalo;
Deirdre Lee;
Fernando Raguero;
Erin Kirsh;
Jano;
Matt Miller;
Erin Dingle;
Santiago Ureña

2 Open Mic spots for two pieces:

The Hanging Cats
Julia Pileggi

Poet Al Mader aka Chicken’s Choice aka Poet Invited in Advance
Chicken’s Choice Musician Invited in Advance Lexi Marie will finish off the afternoon and bring us to the end of Verses Festival of Words 2017
This event is a scent-reduced space. To assist us in our goal of increased access, please be aware of our attempt to reduce the impact of personal scented products (perfumes, scented oils, etc) in our festival spaces.
Accessibility Info (provided by The Coop residents, not an accessibility expert):
The Coop is an old house with no accessibility modifications. There is a dirt driveway up to a large wide gate. The backyard is mostly grass with some gravel on path. If there has been little rain to make the ground soft, this is navigable by wheelchair and scooter. There is one small drop down from the side yard to the back. A makeshift ramp is provided.
The yard can also be entered from the paved back alley through a gate with no steps but a slight incline.
There is a bathroom on the ground floor level through two regular size doors with a one step drop down into the unit. If it rains, we will be on the main floor which is up a dozen stairs at front of the house or from backyard. Inside, everything is on the same level. The bathroom on that floor may be big enough to be accessible for a small wheelchair.

Canadian Individual Poetry Slam Finals
2017-04-29 20:00 - 23:00 | Annual General Meeting on May 25th
The top 12 poets from prelims advance to this bout. Who will claim the title of 2016 Canadian Individual Poetry Slam Champion? This closing match includes a feature presentation by the one and only Sheri-D Wilson.
Poets in the Finals will be performing three-minute poems. The first round will consist of twelve poets. The top seven highest-scoring poets will move on to the second round. Then, the top four highest-scoring poets from the second round move on to the third (and final) round. The highest-scoring poet in the third round becomes the 2017 Canadian Individual Poetry Slam Champion. It’s a blank slate each round, not cumulative score. The order in each round is determined by random draw.
The Rio Theatre may be completely sold out for this event. Buy your tickets early if you want to see this showcase of the very best poetry slammers from across Canada.

Canadian Individual Poetry Slam is produced in association with Spoken Word Canada, the official governing body of poetry slam in Canada. The past four winners of this event have gone on to represent English-Speaking Canada at the World Cup of Poetry in Paris.

Get your tickets now at Brown Paper Tickets here: http://cipsfinals.bpt.me
Admission to this event is included in your Verses Festival Pass. Verses Passes are available at Brown Paper Tickets here.
Doors at 7pm. Show starts at 8pm.
This show is All Ages (the balcony will be reserved for audience members 18 and younger while alcohol will be allowed on the ground level). It may contain strong language, controversial issues, and words that make you re-evaluate your life. General seating. Advance tickets are NOT mailed out they can be picked up at the Will Call station at the venue. Box office and Will Call will open with doors at 7pm. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferrable.

This event is a scent-reduced space. To assist us in our goal of increased access, please be aware of our attempt to reduce the impact of personal scented products (perfumes, scented oils, etc) in our festival spaces.
Rio Theatre Accessibility Info:
Read the updated overview of The Rio Theatre (completed in February 2015) or the complete updated audit for detailed accessibility information. These documents are available thanks to the important work of the Radical Access Mapping Project​.

Radical (Re)Imaginings: Visions of a Queer Future Showcase
2017-04-29 15:00 - 17:00 | Havana Theatre, 1212 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, Canada
A showcase featuring recently created work by youth, and a set by each of poets Amal Rana, Molly Billows, and jaye simpson. Some of the performances will have been created the day before at the Radical (Re)Imaginings workshop with facilitators/youth mentors Rana and Billows, and some of it will be from the Tomorrow is Ours: IBPOC Futurisms workshop series that Billows and Rana have facilitated over the last few months.
$8 In Advance Available here on Brown Paper Tickets. http://radicalshowcase.bpt.me. $10 At Door. Cash only at door.
Admission to this event is included in your Verses Festival Pass. Verses Passes are available at Brown Paper Tickets here.
This event is a scent-reduced space. To assist us in our goal of increased access, please be aware of our attempt to reduce the impact of personal scented products (perfumes, scented oils, etc) in our festival spaces.
Havana Accessibility Info:
Havana Theatre is a mostly accessible venue. To reach the theatre, you must pass through the restaurant to the gallery space. On the right, is a black door leading into the theatre. There is a narrow hallway and two doors to access the performance space. This narrow hallway is possible for wheelchairs to pass through, but can be difficult for larger scooters to maneuver. There are no stairs. Washrooms are located at the end of a hallway which is maneuverable but also narrow.

Talk the Talk: Intersectionality and Arts Communities
2017-04-29 12:30 - 14:30 | Havana Theatre, 1212 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, Canada
Guided by two qualified facilitators, Sonmin Bong and Jen Sung, this talk asks participants to explore Kiberlé Crenshaw’s model of intersectionality in relation to artistic communities.
“Sonmin Bong is a first-generation Korean immigrant feminist who works, plays and, most importantly, loves on unceded Coast Salish territories.She is a host and producer of Vancouver’s explicitly feminist radio show, The F Word Media Collective, on Vancouver Co-op Radio CFRO. Her passion and interests include intersectionality, racial justice, food politics, cultural exchange, and interdependence. She is fuelled by womxn of colour’s righteous outrage, resistance, ancestral knowledge, and wisdom.”
“Jen Sung, also goes by artist name Jen Sungshine, is a queer Taiwanese artist-activist based in Vancouver, BC. A facilitator by trade, she works with creative technology and social justice media to evolutionize and revolutionize QTBIPOC visibility and community-based work through Love Intersections, Our City of Colours, Out in Schools and the Social Justice Institute at the University of British Columbia. Jen’s artistic practice involves learning through unlearning; and instead of calling you out, she wants to call you in, to make artful social change with her. In the audience, she looks for art in your interruption.”
Active listeners will be present for community care. Come prepared with questions, suggestions and a respectful voice.
This discussion is a free event. Seating cannot be reserved in advance.
American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be available for this event.

This event is a scent-reduced space. To assist us in our goal of increased access, please be aware of our attempt to reduce the impact of personal scented products (perfumes, scented oils, etc) in our festival spaces.
Havana Accessibility Info:
Havana Theatre is a mostly accessible venue.
To reach the theatre, you must pass through the restaurant to the gallery space. On the right, is a black door leading into the theatre. There is a narrow hallway and two doors to access the performance space. This narrow hallway is possible for wheelchairs to pass through, but can be difficult for larger scooters to maneuver. There are no stairs. Washrooms are located at the end of a hallway which is maneuverable but also narrow.

Canadian Individual Poetry Slam Day Two Bouts at Havana Theatre
2017-04-28 18:30 - 22:00 | Havana Theatre, 1212 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, Canada
Canada’s best performance poets show us their strongest two and three minute poems to decide who will advance to finals. These Day Two bouts at Havana Theatre are two of eight preliminary competitions that take place on Thursday and Friday nights here and at Cafe Deux Soleils during Verses Festival. The scores from these eight bouts determine the twelve poets who move on to compete in the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam Championship (CIPS) final match on Saturday night.
All poetry performances on the stage are judged by volunteer audience members. That’s what make this poetry game so great. Which means we need you!
BOUT 6 / 6:30 pm / Havana Theatre
BOUT 8 / 8:00 pm / Havana Theatre
Note the 6:30 start. Doors at 6. Get there early!

Advance tickets for this night (both bouts included) are available for $8 on Brown Paper Tickets here: http://cipsdaytwohavana.bpt.me. Or $10 at the door, cash only.
Admission to this event is included in your Verses Festival Pass. Verses Passes are available at Brown Paper Tickets here.

This event is a scent-reduced space. To assist us in our goal of increased access, please be aware of our attempt to reduce the impact of personal scented products (perfumes, scented oils, etc) in our festival spaces.
Accessibility Info:
Havana Theatre is a mostly accessible venue. To reach the theatre, you must pass through the restaurant to the gallery space. On the right, is a black door leading into the theatre. There is a narrow hallway and two doors to access the performance space. This narrow hallway is possible for wheelchairs to pass through, but can be difficult for larger scooters to maneuver. There are no stairs. Washrooms are located at the end of a hallway which is maneuverable but also narrow.

Canadian Individual Poetry Slam Day Two Bouts at Cafe Deux Soleils
2017-04-28 18:30 - 22:00 | Contact
The tension builds as Canada’s best slam poets show us their strongest two and three minute poems to decide who will advance to finals. These Day Two bouts at Cafe Deux Soleils are two of eight preliminary competitions that take place on Thursday and Friday nights here and at Havana Theatre during Verses Festival. The scores and rankings from these eight matches will be tallied after the bouts Friday night to determine the twelve poets who move on to compete in the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam Championship (CIPS) final match on Saturday night.
All poetry performances on the stage are judged by volunteer audience members. That’s what make this poetry game so great!
BOUT 5 / 6:30 pm / Cafe Deux Soleils
BOUT 7 / 8:00 pm / Cafe Deux Soleils
Note the 6:30 start. Doors at 6. Get there early!

Tickets for this night (both bouts included) are $10 at the door, cash only.
Admission to this event is included in your Verses Festival Pass. Verses Passes are available at Brown Paper Tickets here.
This event is a scent-reduced space. To assist us in our goal of increased access, please be aware of our attempt to reduce the impact of personal scented products (perfumes, scented oils, etc) in our festival spaces.
Accessibility Info:
Café Deux Soleils has been the main venue for the Vancouver Poetry Slam since 1999. It is sold out every Monday by fans of spoken word poetry. It is an iconic venue run by a staff that are friendly and promote progressive values.
Café Deux Soleils is a semi-accessible venue to wheelchairs and scooters. They have recently completely renovated the bathrooms, installing three ungendered stalls. However there is no wheelchair-accessible bathroom. Please read the full report from the Radical Accessibility Mapping Project for more details.

Radical (Re)Imaginings: Visions of a Queer Future: workshop with Amal Rana and Molly Billows
2017-04-28 11:30 - 14:30 | Havana Theatre, 1212 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, Canada
Moving beyond reacting to the systems that oppress us, and into future-building for the world/s we want to manifest, we will create work in our voices and perspectives that the universe urgently needs to hear. Youth can sign up to work with two deeply thoughtful and experienced mentors/community activists and artists to create writing that will be shared as part of Saturday afternoon’s showcase.

$20 in advance here from Brown Paper Tickets. http://reimaginings.bpt.me. $25 door, cash only.
Financial access options available. Contact jillian@versesfestival.ca to request arrangements.

This event is a scent-reduced space. To assist us in our goal of increased access, please be aware of our attempt to reduce the impact of personal scented products (perfumes, scented oils, etc) in our festival spaces.
Accessibility Info:
Havana Theatre is a mostly accessible venue. To reach the theatre, you must pass through the restaurant to the gallery space. On the right, is a black door leading into the theatre. There is a narrow hallway and two doors to access the performance space. This narrow hallway is possible for wheelchairs to pass through, but can be difficult for larger scooters to maneuver. There are no stairs. Washrooms are located at the end of a hallway which is maneuverable but also narrow.

Mighty Mike McGee & Friends with Sheri-D Wilson's Dragon Rouge Album Launch feat. The Orbiting Ouroboros
2017-04-27 22:00 - 23:59
Mike McGee knows how to throw a good party. Join in the latest edition of this epic bash, where Mike introduces us to talented and charming pals he has gathered along his journeys. The night begins with Sheri-D Wilson launching her new collection of poetry, ‘The Book of Sensations,’ and new CD ‘Dragon Rouge’ (co-produced with Steve Berlin). She’ll be joined by ‘The Orbiting Ouroboros’ (mega-musicians Barry Reynolds, Liam McDonald, Dave Bauer, Kenna Burima & Mark Williams).

Advance tickets can be purchased through Brown Paper Tickets here. http://mikemcgeeandsheri-d.bpt.me. At the door is cash only. There is an ATM downstairs in the lounge.
Admission to this event is included in your Verses Festival Pass. Verses Passes are available at Brown Paper Tickets here.

This event is a scent-reduced space. To assist us in our goal of increased access, please be aware of our attempt to reduce the impact of personal scented products (perfumes, scented oils, etc) in our festival spaces.
Accessibility Info for Wise Hall:
You’ll note on arrival a set of 10 railed stairs leading into the Hall. The wheelchair accessible entrance is around back. For this event there will be someone posted at the back door throughout the event.
Once inside, you’ll find a spacious wood-floored hall, open concept, tables and chairs set up throughout. The stage (accessible only via stairs) is to your left, and the washrooms towards the back of the hall. The washrooms are currently gendered, but will be marked “gender neutral” for Verses. There are two sets of washrooms. The one to the right of the bar, currently marked “women”, is wheelchair accessible with no urinals and one additional stall. The one to the left of the bar is currently marked “men” is on the same level and is now wheelchair accessible, with 2 urinals and one wheelchair access stall and one non-wheelchair access stall. The door has been adjusted to more easily fit wheelchair/scooter users. Overall the space is great.

Read the Radical Accessibility Mapping Project’s WISE Hall overview for complete audit.

Canadian Individual Poetry Slam Day One Bouts at Havana Theatre
2017-04-27 18:30 - 22:00
Forty of Canada’s best slam poets sling metaphors and match wits in four-minute and one-minute rounds. These Day One bouts at Havana Theatre are two of eight preliminary competitions that take place on Thursday and Friday nights here and at Cafe Deux Soleils during Verses Festival. The scores from these eight bouts determine the twelve poets who move on to compete in the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam Championship (CIPS) final match on Saturday night.
All poetry performances on the stage are judged by volunteer audience members. That’s what make this poetry game so great. Which means we need you!
BOUT 2 / 6:30 pm / Havana Theatre
BOUT 4 / 8:00 pm / Havana Theatre
Note the 6:30 start. Doors at 6. Get there early!

Advance tickets for this night (both bouts included) are available for $8 on Brown Paper Tickets here: http://cipsdayonehavana.bpt.me. Or $10 at the door, cash only.
Admission to this event is included in your Verses Festival Pass. Verses 2017 Early Bird Passes are available at Brown Paper Tickets here until April 10.

Accessibility Info:
Havana Theatre is a mostly accessible venue. To reach the theatre, you must pass through the restaurant to the gallery space. On the right, is a black door leading into the theatre. There is a narrow hallway and two doors to access the performance space. This narrow hallway is possible for wheelchairs to pass through, but can be difficult for larger scooters to maneuver. There are no stairs. Washrooms are located at the end of a hallway which is maneuverable but also narrow.

Canadian Individual Poetry Slam Day One Bouts at Cafe Deux Soleils
2017-04-27 18:30 - 22:00 | Contact
Forty of Canada’s best slam poets sling metaphors and match wits in four-minute and one-minute rounds. These Day One bouts at Cafe Deux Soleils are two of eight preliminary competitions that take place on Thursday and Friday nights here and at Havana Theatre during Verses Festival. The scores from these eight bouts determine the twelve poets who move on to compete in the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam Championship (CIPS) final match on Saturday night. All poetry performances on the stage are judged by volunteer audience members. That’s what make this poetry game so great.

BOUT 1 / 6:30 pm / Cafe Deux Soleils
BOUT 3 / 8:00 pm / Cafe Deux Soleils
Tickets for this night (both bouts included) are $10 at the door, cash only.
Admission to this event is included in your Verses Festival Pass. Verses Passes are available at Brown Paper Tickets here.
Note the 6:30 start. Doors at 6. Get there early!
Accessibility Info:
Café Deux Soleils has been the main venue for the Vancouver Poetry Slam since 1999. It is sold out every Monday by fans of spoken word poetry. It is an iconic venue run by a staff that are friendly and promote progressive values.
Café Deux Soleils is a semi-accessible venue to wheelchairs and scooters. They have recently completely renovated the bathrooms, installing three ungendered stalls. However there is no wheelchair-accessible bathroom. Please read the full report from the Radical Accessibility Mapping Project for more details.

Spoken Word as Theatre Masterclass with Charlie Petch
2017-04-27 15:00 - 17:30 | Havana Theatre, 1212 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, Canada
On the heels of their groundbreaking, tender, illuminating show Mel Malarkey Gets The Bum Rush, Charlie Petch breathes new life into old vaudevillian form. Learn the versatility and depth of long form cabaret-style storytelling, as Petch teaches us how to transform performance poetry into mesmerizing theatre that gives both audience and performer alike the opportunity to grow.
$40 Advance Available here on Brown Paper Tickets. http://charliepetchmasterclass.bpt.me. $50 At Door. Cash only.
Workshops are not included in Verses Festival Passes.
All Ages workshop.
This event is a scent-reduced space. To assist us in our goal of increased access, please be aware of our attempt to reduce the impact of personal scented products (perfumes, scented oils, etc) in our festival spaces.
Accessibility Info:
Havana Theatre is a mostly accessible venue. To reach the theatre, you must pass through the restaurant to the gallery space. On the right, is a black door leading into the theatre. There is a narrow hallway and two doors to access the performance space. These doors are not automatic but a door person will be present before the event. This narrow hallway is possible for wheelchairs to pass through, but can be difficult for larger scooters to maneuver. There are no stairs. Washrooms are located at the end of a hallway which is maneuverable but also narrow. The washrooms are gendered.

Talk the Talk: Activism and the Arts
2017-04-27 12:30 - 14:30 | Havana Theatre, 1212 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, Canada
Guided by two qualified facilitators, Deirdre Lee and Melanie Matining, this talk is likely to engage with a number of topics that challenge and re-form our collective ideas of activism in the arts.
“Deirdre Lee is a poet & performer, a writer & a survivor. An artist who works in words & rhythms, Deirdre Lee is as comfortable on stage as she is inside her own head. Each of her performances are unique interactions with audiences, energy & herself, a bridge spanning the internal & external. A member of Hali Slam in 2015 & the 2017 team captain, she is currently at work on her first album (which will include both stories & songs). Deirdre makes her home in Kjipuktuk, near the Halifax harbour on unceded Mi’kmaq territory where she beads, bakes & gets bossed around by her cats.”
“Melanie Matining is a queer pin@y activist and community organizer on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples. Her work focuses on the importance of social spaces in movement building and the necessary intersections of community-determined access, placemaking, and solidarity building. She convenes communities to create platforms for celebration, healing, and just dancing it all out. She organizes queer events such as Denim Vest and Open Relationship, which do exactly such. In the recent past, she also worked as the Community Development Manager at Heartwood, a social space that was centred on community and movement building. On the day to day, Melanie walks everyday in love and liberation alongside communities working towards queer rights, Indigenous solidarity, and migrant justice.”
Active listeners will be present for community care. Come prepared with questions, suggestions and a respectful voice.
This discussion is a free event. Seating cannot be reserved in advance.
American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be available for this event.

This event is a scent-reduced space. To assist us in our goal of increased access, please be aware of our attempt to reduce the impact of personal scented products (perfumes, scented oils, etc) in our festival spaces.
Havana Accessibility Info:
Havana Theatre is a mostly accessible venue.
Accessibility Info:
American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be available for this event.
Havana Theatre is a mostly accessible venue. To reach the theatre, you must pass through the restaurant to the gallery space. On the right, is a black door leading into the theatre. There is a narrow hallway and two doors to access the performance space. This narrow hallway is possible for wheelchairs to pass through, but can be difficult for larger scooters to maneuver. There are no stairs. Washrooms are located at the end of a hallway which is maneuverable but also narrow.

Mashed Poetics featuring Spice by the Spice Girls
2017-04-26 21:30 - 23:59
Mashed Poetics is a night of spoken word and music mash up. We pick a music album, find a cover band and ask poets to write new poems based on the songs. Then we do it all up live with the poets performing in between songs. Mashed Poetics has been a part of the Verses festival and its earlier incarnation, the VIP Festival, since the beginning. We’ve done it up big with an 11 piece band tribute to Aretha Franklin. We’ve done it up loud with a show featuring RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE. This year we chew on the best bubblegum the 90’s had to offer…SPICE by the SPICE GIRLS.
We have 10 poets and a 9 piece SPICE GIRLS cover band The SPICE Racks. It’s all happening at our official Verses Festival venue, The WISE Hall and Lounge at 1882 Adanac Street. This will be a late show, starting at 9:30.
Here are the poets and the songs in order for the night. As you can see we have a world class lineup for you once again this year.
Wannabe — Rebecca Lea Thomas
Say You’ll Be There — Nisha Patel
2 Become 1 — Betsy Warland
Love Thing — Charlie Petch
Last Time Lover — Lisa Webster
Mama — Fiona Tinwei Lam
Who Do You Think You Are — Molly Billows
Something Kinda Funny — Kay Kassier
Naked — Amal Rana
If U Can’t Dance — Mike McGee
There will be no intermission due to time constraints. Tickets are $10 in advance through Brown Paper Tickets here and $12 at the door. Get your advance tickets here: http://mashedpoeticsspice.bpt.me/
At the door is cash only. There is an ATM downstairs in the lounge.
Free for all participating Verses Festival poets.
Admission to this event is included in your Verses Festival Pass. Verses Passes are available at Brown Paper Tickets here.
This event is a scent-reduced space. To assist us in our goal of increased access, please be aware of our attempt to reduce the impact of personal scented products (perfumes, scented oils, etc) in our festival spaces.
Accessibility Info for Wise Hall:
You’ll note on arrival a set of 10 railed stairs leading into the Hall. The wheelchair accessible entrance is around back. For this event there will be someone posted at the back door throughout the event.
Once inside, you’ll find a spacious wood-floored hall, open concept, tables and chairs set up throughout. The stage (accessible only via stairs) is to your left, and the washrooms towards the back of the hall. The washrooms are currently gendered, but will be marked “gender neutral” for Verses. There are two sets of washrooms. The one to the right of the bar, currently marked “women”, is wheelchair accessible with no urinals and one additional stall. The one to the left of the bar is currently marked “men” is on the same level and is now wheelchair accessible, with 2 urinals and one wheelchair access stall and one non-wheelchair access stall. The door has been adjusted to more easily fit wheelchair/scooter users. Overall the space is great.

Read the Radical Accessibility Mapping Project’s WISE Hall overview for complete audit.

The Body Is Not An Apology: Sonya Renee Taylor and Denise Jolly
2017-04-26 19:00 - 21:00 | ayanda
An international movement cultivating global Radical Self Love and Body Empowerment. Believing that discrimination, social inequality, and injustice are manifestations of our inability to make peace with the body, our own and others, The Body Is Not An Apology fosters global, radical, unapologetic self-love which translates to radical human love and action in service toward a more just, equitable and compassionate world. thebodyisnotanapology.com
TBINAA Founder and poet Sonya Renee Taylor, along with celebrated performer, writer and activist, Denise Jolly, share insights into how forms of oppression can be manifestations of our inability to make peace with the body — our own and others.
This event is at the Cultch Historic Theatre. Advance tickets for $17 (includes service charge) will be available soon at the Cultch Box Office online here, and $22 (includes service charge) at the door at the Cultch Box Office.
Admission to this marquee event is included in your Verses Festival Pass. Verses Passes are available at Brown Paper Tickets here.
This show is all ages. General admission. Box office and Will Call will open with doors at 6pm.

This show may contain strong language, thought provoking issues, and words that make you re-evaluate your life, and possibly take action.
Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferrable.
****Accessibility update:

Due to unforeseen challenges with this event, ASL interpretation may not be available for the presented text as previously planned. We are attempting to asses whether interpretation will be possible for part of the presentation, while we source other options such as projection for the pieces that will not be interpreted. We apologise deeply for this change and for the challenges it may cause anyone who was planning to attend and utilize the services of our ASL interpreter team. As we work with the Cultch and our team to resolve this issue, we ask that any attendees who have need of interpretation please message Jillian at jillian.christmas@gmail.com with any questions, concerns, or thoughts around this process. If you have already purchased a ticket for tonight’s event with the expectation of full ASL support, we would like to help resolve and repair any costs and/ or damage done by this late change. Thank you so much for your patience, feedback and support in this matter. ****

Please see our accessibility update for more details.

This event is a scent-reduced space. To assist us in our goal of increased access, please be aware of our attempt to reduce the impact of personal scented products (perfumes, scented oils, etc) in our festival spaces.
Cultch Accessibility Info:
The Cultch underwent major renovations in 2008, which included increasing accessibility for people with disabilities.
All areas but the balcony are wheelchair accessible. You can purchase tickets at the lowered counter outside, then enter the main space via the wide automatic door. Once inside, there is a vestibule leading into the main open-concept lobby. Continuing on, you will find three washroom options: a fully wheelchair accessible single stall gender-neutral washroom, and for Verses, two gender-neutral washrooms each with a wheelchair accessible stall. Staff are friendly and able to assist in a variety of ways.
Seats in the Cultch Historic Theatre have arms and are 18-1/2 inches wide. Arms can be removed on some seats by request.
Please note, the Historic Theatre balcony is only accessible via the staircase.
There is no designated wheelchair accessible parking, but there is street parking around the neighbourhood. As well, there are two parking spots that can be used at the rear of the building. We suggest that people call the box office ahead of time to reserve access to these spaces. There is wheelchair accessible transit within 2 blocks, and bicycle lock-ups outside.
If you have any questions, concerns, additions or corrections regarding this accessibility audit please email rampvancouver@gmail.com.

Spoken Nerd
2017-04-26 15:00 - 17:00 | Sheri-D
What better place to proclaim your love for whatever turns on your nerdy nature than at the Storm Crow Tavern, the geekiest gathering place in Vancouver? Costumes are welcomed in the audience or for performers. Go on, dress up, and step up to the mic. You will be in raucous good company! Featuring a set by shayne avec i grec.
By donation.

Storm Crow Accessibility Info:
Storm Crow Tavern has tables placed closely together and a very narrow hallway to the bathroom area. The bathrooms are single stall and not gendered.

CIPS Poets Orientation
2017-04-26 13:00 - 14:30
Poets participating in the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam are required to attend this orientation.The focus of CIPS Tournament Director Johnny Trinh will be on making sure everyone is aware of the rules and format of the tournament, the location of the venues, community resources available to them, and the Honour Code (hint: play nice and everything will be groovy).
Poets can also pick up their Festival Passes here, if they have not already done so by checking in with door volunteers at events earlier in the week. You will also get your #vs17 t-shirt, in your choice of red or pink.
Bout Draw is below.
This event is a scent-reduced space. To assist us in our goal of increased access, please be aware of our attempt to reduce the impact of personal scented products (perfumes, scented oils, etc) in our festival spaces.
Cultch Accessibility Info:
The Cultch underwent major renovations in 2008, which included increasing accessibility for people with disabilities.
All areas but the balcony of the Historic Theatre are wheelchair accessible. You can purchase tickets at the lowered counter outside, then enter the main space via the wide automatic door. Once inside, there is a vestibule leading into the main open-concept lobby. Continuing on, you will find three washroom options: a fully wheelchair accessible single stall gender-neutral washroom, and for Verses, two gender-neutral washrooms each with a wheelchair accessible stall. Staff are friendly and able to assist in a variety of ways.
Seats in the C-Lab have arms and are 19-1/2 inches wide. Arms can be removed on some seats by request.
Please note, the Historic Theatre balcony is only accessible via the staircase.
There is no designated wheelchair accessible parking, but there is street parking around the neighbourhood. As well, there are two parking spots that can be used at the rear of the building. We suggest that people call the box office ahead of time to reserve access to these spaces. There is wheelchair accessible transit within 2 blocks, and bicycle lock-ups outside.
If you have any questions, concerns, additions or corrections regarding this accessibility audit please email rampvancouver@gmail.com.

Sound Out Loud Workshop with Johnny Trinh
2017-04-26 11:00 - 12:30 | VQ_021 copy
Shhh… Before you speak a single word in the festival, trained stage actor and performance poet, Johnny Trinh, nourishes our understanding of breath and body, expanding our skills of projection and protecting what is for vocal performers, our most valuable instrument. Lengthen the lifespan and strengthen the health of your voice.

You can register for this workshop here at Brown Paper Tickets. $20 Advance. $25 At Door.
Registration fee for this workshop is not included in Festival Passes. This workshop is available to CIPS poets as part of their tournament registration.
This event is a scent-reduced space. To assist us in our goal of increased access, please be aware of our attempt to reduce the impact of personal scented products (perfumes, scented oils, etc) in our festival spaces.
Cultch Accessibility Info:
The Cultch underwent major renovations in 2008, which included increasing accessibility for people with disabilities.
All areas but the balcony of the Historic Theatre are wheelchair accessible. You can purchase tickets at the lowered counter outside, then enter the main space via the wide automatic door. Once inside, there is a vestibule leading into the main open-concept lobby. Continuing on, you will find three washroom options: a fully wheelchair accessible single stall gender-neutral washroom, and for Verses, two gender-neutral washrooms each with a wheelchair accessible stall. Staff are friendly and able to assist in a variety of ways.
Seats in the C-Lab have arms and are 19-1/2 inches wide. Arms can be removed on some seats by request.
Please note, the Historic Theatre balcony is only accessible via the staircase.
There is no designated wheelchair accessible parking, but there is street parking around the neighbourhood. As well, there are two parking spots that can be used at the rear of the building. We suggest that people call the box office ahead of time to reserve access to these spaces. There is wheelchair accessible transit within 2 blocks, and bicycle lock-ups outside.
If you have any questions, concerns, additions or corrections regarding this accessibility audit please email rampvancouver@gmail.com.

Sounds Like Fire: Femme4Femme
2017-04-25 20:00 - 22:30 | ayanda
Amber Dawn, Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, Kama La Mackerel, and Kai Cheng Thom
In this femme-focussed showcase, we are gifted the opportunity to the bear witness to brilliant magic born of community and coven, care and creativity among four radical, vulnerable, and fiercely capable femmes, building each other up in a world that pushes us to the verge of burning it all down.
Femme4Femme is co-sponsored by Arsenal Pulp Press, publishers of work by Amber Dawn, Leah Lakshmi Peipzna-Samarashinha, and Kai Cheng Thom. Thom’s book, a place called No Homeland, has its Vancouver launch at this event. Arsenal Pulp Press will be at the event selling books before, during admission and after.

This event is at the Cultch Historic Theatre. Advance tickets for $17 (includes service charge) will be available soon at the Cultch Box Office online here, and $22 (includes service charge) at the door at the Cultch Box Office.
Admission to this marquee event is included in your Verses Festival Pass. Verses Passes are available at Brown Paper Tickets here.
This show is all ages. General admission. Cash bar. Box office and Will Call will open with doors at 7pm. There will be an intermission partway through this showcase.

This show may contain strong language, thought provoking issues, and words that make you re-evaluate your life, and possibly take action.
Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferrable.
This event will include ASL interpretation.
This event is a scent-reduced space. To assist us in our goal of increased access, please be aware of our attempt to reduce the impact of personal scented products (perfumes, scented oils, etc) in our festival spaces.
Cultch Accessibility Info:
The Cultch underwent major renovations in 2008, which included increasing accessibility for people with disabilities.
All areas but the balcony are wheelchair accessible. You can purchase tickets at the lowered counter outside, then enter the main space via the wide automatic door. Once inside, there is a vestibule leading into the main open-concept lobby. Continuing on, you will find three washroom options: a fully wheelchair accessible single stall gender-neutral washroom, and for Verses, two gender-neutral washrooms each with a wheelchair accessible stall. Staff are friendly and able to assist in a variety of ways.
Seats in the Cultch Historic Theatre have arms and are 18-1/2 inches wide. Arms can be removed on some seats by request.
Please note, the Historic Theatre balcony is only accessible via the staircase.
There is no designated wheelchair accessible parking, but there is street parking around the neighbourhood. As well, there are two parking spots that can be used at the rear of the building. We suggest that people call the box office ahead of time to reserve access to these spaces. There is wheelchair accessible transit within 2 blocks, and bicycle lock-ups outside.
If you have any questions, concerns, additions or corrections regarding this accessibility audit please email rampvancouver@gmail.com.

Geist 104 vs Oratorealis 3 Launch
2017-04-25 18:30 - 19:50 | VQ_021 copy
Geist is the Canadian magazine of ideas and culture — fact + fiction, photography and comix, essays, reviews, and the weird and wonderful from the world of words. Issue 104 will be launched this night.
Oratorealis publishes biannually Canadian spoken word and experimental poetry. Oratorealis is thrilled to be launching their third issue at this year’s Verses Festival of Words with a showcase of contributor performances.
Geist Host: Roni Simunovic
Oratorealis Hosts: shayne avec i grec and Aaron Simm
Geist Readers:
Jill Mandrake
Henry Doyle
Billeh Nickerson
Oratorealis Readers:
Lilija Valis
Fiona Tinwei Lam
Johnny Trinh
Kevin Spenst
This event is at the Cultch C-Lab. Advance tickets for $12 (includes service charge) will be available soon at the Cultch Box Office online here, and $14 (includes service charge) at the door at the Cultch Box Office.
This event will be followed by Sounds Like Fire: Femme4Femme Showcase at 8 pm in the Cultch Historic Theatre ($17 – $22).
Admission to this event is included in your Verses Festival Pass. Verses Passes are available at Brown Paper Tickets here.
This event is a scent-reduced space. To assist us in our goal of increased access, please be aware of our attempt to reduce the impact of personal scented products (perfumes, scented oils, etc) in our festival spaces.
Cultch Accessibility Info:
The Cultch underwent major renovations in 2008, which included increasing accessibility for people with disabilities.
All areas but the balcony of the Historic Theatre are wheelchair accessible. You can purchase tickets at the lowered counter outside, then enter the main space via the wide automatic door. Once inside, there is a vestibule leading into the main open-concept lobby. Continuing on, you will find three washroom options: a fully wheelchair accessible single stall gender-neutral washroom, and for Verses, two gender-neutral washrooms each with a wheelchair accessible stall. Staff are friendly and able to assist in a variety of ways.
Seats in the C-Lab have arms and are 19-1/2 inches wide. Arms can be removed on some seats by request.
Please note, the Historic Theatre balcony is only accessible via the staircase.
There is no designated wheelchair accessible parking, but there is street parking around the neighbourhood. As well, there are two parking spots that can be used at the rear of the building. We suggest that people call the box office ahead of time to reserve access to these spaces. There is wheelchair accessible transit within 2 blocks, and bicycle lock-ups outside.
If you have any questions, concerns, additions or corrections regarding this accessibility audit please email rampvancouver@gmail.com.

2017 Van Slam Team Finals
2017-04-24 20:00 - 23:00
2017 Van SlamTeam Finals is part of Verses Festival of Words again! #VS17 #VersesFestival
Celebrate the 21st annual Van Slam Finals Night with visiting feature Desireé Dallagiacomo. Vancouver’s top nine slam poets of the season compete for a spot on this year’s team to represent Van Slam at major tournaments and festivals across North America. Poets gain points by ranking in the top four at Van Slam throughout the year to qualify for this playoff event.
Doors at 7; Slam at 8.

Competing Poets include (in no particular order):
Kit Pacilla
Spillious
Kay Kassirer
Brianna Price
Martina Dominique
Molly Billows
Johnny D. Trinh
Julia Pileggi
Lip Balm

Advance tickets $12 available at Brown Paper tickets here.
At the door tickets are $15, cash only. There is an ATM in Lounge downstairs.
Admission to this event is included in your Verses Festival Pass. Verses Passes are available at Brown Paper Tickets here.
This event is a scent-reduced space. To assist us in our goal of increased access, please be aware of our attempt to reduce the impact of personal scented products (perfumes, scented oils, etc) in our festival spaces.
Accessibility Info for Wise Hall:
You’ll note on arrival a set of 10 railed stairs leading into the Hall. The wheelchair accessible entrance is around back. For this event there will be someone posted at the back door throughout the event.
Once inside, you’ll find a spacious wood-floored hall, open concept, tables and chairs set up throughout. The stage (accessible only via stairs) is to your left, and the washrooms towards the back of the hall. The washrooms are currently gendered, but will be marked “gender neutral” for Verses. There are two sets of washrooms. The one to the right of the bar, currently marked “women”, is wheelchair accessible with no urinals and one additional stall. The one to the left of the bar is currently marked “men” is on the same level and is now wheelchair accessible, with 2 urinals and one wheelchair access stall and one non-wheelchair access stall. The door has been adjusted to more easily fit wheelchair/scooter users. Overall the space is great.

Read the Radical Accessibility Mapping Project’s WISE Hall overview for complete audit.

Youth Poetry Slam featuring Indigenuity Poet Justin Bige
2017-04-24 20:00 - 22:30 | Contact
Our monthly youth poetry slam series continues in April but with an extra special bit of spice and hot sauce as we are also part of the Verses Festival of Words.
Now that our playoffs are complete we’re going to have a fun slam for cash and prizes. We’ll also have an extended open mic for those who are thinking about getting up on stage for the first time. The youth slam is open to poets 13-20 years of age.
All that AND we’re going to be having a feature performance from one of the poets who performed at the Talking Stick Festival in the Indigenuity showcase: Justin Bige
“Tawahum Justin Bige is a budding social justice activist and creative writing student from Surrey, BC. He believes in decolonization first and foremost. In 2017, he has performed his poetry at Talking Stick Festival’s Indigenuity, Stop the Pipelines, Start the Music visiting Kwantlen First Nation, Vancouver Poetry Slam and Slamapalooza. Tawahum has spent his young adulthood connecting with his Dene and Cree roots, and the Coast Salish roots of Vancouver and Surrey where he resides.”

Doors and sign up at 7. Show at 8pm.
$4 for 18 and under and $6-$10 for 19 and up. Free to any Verses/CIPS poets with festival passes available at Brown Paper Tickets here.
It’s cash only at the door. Please be kind to our volunteers. We acknowledge this event is taking place on the unceded territories of the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil Waututh nations. We also strive to have all of shows be trans friendly events and we hope you can help us accomplish those goals.
This event is a scent-reduced space. To assist us in our goal of increased access, please be aware of our attempt to reduce the impact of personal scented products (perfumes, scented oils, etc) in our festival spaces.
Thanks. And see you at the slam.
Accessibility Info:
Café Deux Soleils has been the main venue for the Vancouver Poetry Slam since 1999. It is sold out every Monday by fans of spoken word poetry. It is an iconic venue run by a staff that are friendly and promote progressive values.
Café Deux Soleils is a semi-accessible venue to wheelchairs and scooters. They have recently completely renovated the bathrooms, installing three ungendered stalls. However there is no wheelchair-accessible bathroom. Please read the full report from the Radical Accessibility Mapping Project for more details.

Youth Poetry Slam featuring Justin Bige & Molly Billows
2017-04-24 20:00 - 22:00 | DMP-300×190
Our monthly youth poetry slam series continues in April but with an extra special bit of spice and hot sauce as we are also part of the Verses Festival of Words.
Now that our playoffs are complete we’re going to have a fun slam for cash and prizes. We’ll also have an extended open mic for those who are thinking about getting up on stage for the first time. The youth slam is open to poets 13-20 years of age.
All that AND we’re going to be having a feature performance from two of the poets who performed at the Talking Stick Festival in the Indigenuity showcase. Justin Bige and Molly Billows…
“Tawahum Justin Bige is a budding social justice activist and creative writing student from Surrey, BC. He believes in decolonization first and foremost. In 2017, he has performed his poetry at Talking Stick Festival’s Indigenuity, Stop the Pipelines, Start the Music visiting Kwantlen First Nation, Vancouver Poetry Slam and Slamapalooza. Tawahum has spent his young adulthood connecting with his Dene and Cree roots, and the Coast Salish roots of Vancouver and Surrey where he resides.
Molly Billows is swift waters, secrets, and salal berries. Northern Coast Salish from the Homalco Nation, they were adopted-out and grew up in and around Victoria. They has been living as a visitor in Vancouver, on the territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations since 2011. They are a queer, mixed, urban, Indigenous feminist, a spoken word poet, facilitator and a youth worker. Molly hopes to weave together stories in ways that lift up their communities, and contribute to collective healing, rage, resurgence and love.”
Doors and sign up at 7. Show at 8pm.
$4 for 18 and under and $6-$10 for 19 and up. Free to any Verses/CIPS poets with festival passes.
It’s cash only at the door. Please be kind to our volunteers. We acknowledge this event is taking place on the unceded territories of the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil Waututh nations. We also strive to have all of shows be trans friendly events and we hope you can help us accomplish those goals.
Thanks. And see you at the slam.
photo of Justin and Molly by Chris Randle

Van Slam Team Finals 2017
2017-04-24 19:00 - 23:00 | Wise Hall, 1882 Adanac St, Vancouver, BC, British Columbia, V5L 4E5, Canada
Van Slam Team Finals
Celebrate the 21st annual Van Slam Finals Night with visiting feature Desireé Dallagiacomo. Vancouver’s top nine slam poets of the season compete for a spot on this year’s team to represent Van Slam at major tournaments and festivals across North America. Poets gain points by ranking in the top four at Van Slam throughout the year to qualify for this playoff event.
Doors at 7; Slam at 8.
The Last Chance Slam is happening Monday, April 3 with the two semi-final Slam bouts happening April 10 and 17, all at Cafe Deux Soleils.
Once competitors for the Finals have been determined at these slams, the list of nine will be posted here.
Advance tickets $12 available at Brown Paper tickets here.
At the door tickets are $15, cash only. There is an ATM in Lounge downstairs.
Accessibility Info for Wise Hall:
You’ll note on arrival a set of railed stairs leading into the Hall. The wheelchair accessible entrance is around back. For certain events there will be someone posted at the door throughout the event and/or a bell system will be rigged up to ensure no one has to wait out there to be let in. If this has not been clarified by organizers already, please consider contacting them for details.
Once inside, you’ll find a spacious wood-floored hall, open concept, tables and chairs set up throughout. The stage (accessible only via stairs) is to your left, and the washrooms towards the back of the hall. The washrooms are currently gendered, but sometimes will be marked “gender neutral”. There are two sets of washrooms. The one to the left of the bar is currently marked “men” is on the same level and is now wheelchair accessible, with 2 urinals and one wheelchair access stall and one non-wheelchair access stall. The one to the right of the bar, currently marked “women”, is wheelchair accessible with no urinals and one additional stall.
*update as of June 2013
Read the Radical Accessibility Mapping Project’s WISE Hall overview or complete audit.
2013: please note that a new, wheelchair accessible men’s bathroom has been created. The finishing touches are still being added, and the door has been adjusted to more easily fit wheelchair/scooter users, but overall the space is great.

Black Lives Matter Showcase
2017-04-24 15:00 - 17:00 | ayanda
Black Lives Matter Vancouver is the local chapter of the international group of activists calling for an end to police brutality, and aiming to lift up Black voices. Curated by Cicely-Belle Blain and hosted by Holly Bishu, this showcase gives space to the artists within the movement, paying respect to the tireless intersectional work they have been doing here in Vancouver and giving audiences a chance to participate in the language of resistance. Together we celebrate and give thanks for their bold and resilient work.

Performers:
Afrodykie Zoe
Hannah Ali
Holly Bishu
Kona Katranya
Youeal Abera
Ivan Leonce

ASL interpretation pending.
Update:
***unfortunately despite efforts to secure interpretation for today it will not be available for this event – All other events with interpretation listed are still covered and confirmed for ASL inclusion. ***

This event is at the Cultch Historic Theatre. Advance tickets for $10 (includes service charge) will be available soon at the Cultch Box Office online here, and $12 (includes service charge) at the door at the Cultch Box Office.
Admission to this event is included in your Verses Festival Pass. Verses Passes are available at Brown Paper Tickets here.
This event is a scent-reduced space. To assist us in our goal of increased access, please be aware of our attempt to reduce the impact of personal scented products (perfumes, scented oils, etc) in our festival spaces.
Cultch Accessibility Info:
The Cultch underwent major renovations in 2008, which included increasing accessibility for people with disabilities.
All areas but the balcony are wheelchair accessible. You can purchase tickets at the lowered counter outside, then enter the main space via the wide automatic door. Once inside, there is a vestibule leading into the main open-concept lobby. Continuing on, you will find three washroom options: a fully wheelchair accessible single stall gender-neutral washroom, and for Verses, two gender-neutral washrooms each with a wheelchair accessible stall. Staff are friendly and able to assist in a variety of ways.
Seats in the Cultch Historic Theatre have arms and are 18-1/2 inches wide. Arms can be removed on some seats by request.
Please note, the Historic Theatre balcony is only accessible via the staircase.
There is no designated wheelchair accessible parking, but there is street parking around the neighbourhood. As well, there are two parking spots that can be used at the rear of the building. We suggest that people call the box office ahead of time to reserve access to these spaces. There is wheelchair accessible transit within 2 blocks, and bicycle lock-ups outside.
If you have any questions, concerns, additions or corrections regarding this accessibility audit please email rampvancouver@gmail.com.

"Oceans to Sail" Showcase with Saul Williams and Guests
2017-04-23 20:00 - 22:30
“Oceans to Sail” Showcase Featuring Saul Williams and Guests
Saul Williams is no stranger to conversations that permeate the collective minds of the diaspora. Reparations are within reach and he has a list of demands waiting to unravel from the tip of his revolutionary tongue. Bolstered by the work of local activists and artists Kimmortal, Eugene Bae, Khari Wendell McClelland and Dawn Pemberton, Williams takes to the stage to gather workers for the resistance that is at our doorsteps.
“come, my love
we have oceans to sail”
— Saul Williams, Said the Shotgun to the Head

Tickets for “Oceans to Sail” are available here on Brown Paper Tickets. At the door is cash only. There is an ATM downstairs in the lounge.
Admission to this event is included in your Verses Festival Pass. Verses Passes are available at Brown Paper Tickets here.
This event is a scent-reduced space. To assist us in our goal of increased access, please be aware of our attempt to reduce the impact of personal scented products (perfumes, scented oils, etc) in our festival spaces.
Accessibility Info for Wise Hall:
You’ll note on arrival a set of 10 railed stairs leading into the Hall. The wheelchair accessible entrance is around back. For this event there will be someone posted at the back door throughout the event.
Once inside, you’ll find a spacious wood-floored hall, open concept, tables and chairs set up throughout. The stage (accessible only via stairs) is to your left, and the washrooms towards the back of the hall. The washrooms are currently gendered, but will be marked “gender neutral” for Verses. There are two sets of washrooms. The one to the right of the bar, currently marked “women”, is wheelchair accessible with no urinals and one additional stall. The one to the left of the bar is currently marked “men” is on the same level and is now wheelchair accessible, with 2 urinals and one wheelchair access stall and one non-wheelchair access stall. The door has been adjusted to more easily fit wheelchair/scooter users. Overall the space is great.

Read the Radical Accessibility Mapping Project’s WISE Hall overview for complete audit.

Jangle & Shout HullaVerses Remixer
2017-04-23 15:00 - 17:00
A literary afternoon delight! Music and words from many of the artists performing throughout the 2017 Verses Festival of Words, with the best of performers from Hullabaloo youth spoken word competition thrown into the mix. Feast your ears on an all-you-can-handle buffet of words. Get a taste of the festival events in a space for the participating artists, established and up-and-coming, to meet and mingle.
Performers include:
Saul Williams
Khari McClelland
Amber Dawn
RC Weslowski
Molly Billows
Amal Rana
Jillian Christmas
Hullaballoo team winner (tbd April 22)
Hullaballoo Indie winner (tbd April 21)
Pamela Bentley
Johnny MacRae
Rabbit Richards
Johnny Trinh
& more!
Advance tickets can be purchased through Brown Paper Tickets here. At the door is cash only. There is an ATM downstairs in the lounge.
Admission to this event is included in your Verses Festival Pass. Verses Passes are available at Brown Paper Tickets here.
This event is a scent-reduced space. To assist us in our goal of increased access, please be aware of our attempt to reduce the impact of personal scented products (perfumes, scented oils, etc) in our festival spaces.
Accessibility Info for Wise Hall:
You’ll note on arrival a set of 10 railed stairs leading into the Hall. The wheelchair accessible entrance is around back. For this event there will be someone posted at the back door throughout the event.
Once inside, you’ll find a spacious wood-floored hall, open concept, tables and chairs set up throughout. The stage (accessible only via stairs) is to your left, and the washrooms towards the back of the hall. The washrooms are currently gendered, but will be marked “gender neutral” for Verses. There are two sets of washrooms. The one to the right of the bar, currently marked “women”, is wheelchair accessible with no urinals and one additional stall. The one to the left of the bar is currently marked “men” is on the same level and is now wheelchair accessible, with 2 urinals and one wheelchair access stall and one non-wheelchair access stall. The door has been adjusted to more easily fit wheelchair/scooter users. Overall the space is great.

Read the Radical Accessibility Mapping Project’s WISE Hall overview for complete audit.

Saul Williams Masterclass
2017-04-23 12:00 - 14:00
“Williams has been breaking ground since his debut album, Amethyst Rock Star, was released in 2001. After gaining global fame for his poetry and writings at the turn of the century, Williams has performed in over 30 countries and read in over 300 universities, with invitations that have spanned from the White House, the Sydney Opera House, Lincoln Center, The Louvre, The Getty Center, Queen Elizabeth Hall, to countless villages, townships, community centers, and prisons across the world.”
His most recent work is Martyr Loser King (2016). “Written and recorded between Senegal, Reunion Island, Paris, Haiti, and New Orleans and New York, Martyr Loser King is a multimedia project that engages the digital dialogue between the 1st and 3rd Worlds, and the global street sounds that yoke the two.” (saulwilliams.com)
Other works: US(a.) (2015), The Dead Emcee Scrolls (2006), Said the Shotgun to the Head (2003).

We are honoured to host him as one of our performers and facilitators in this year’s Verses Festival of Words.

$40 Advance Available here on Brown Paper Tickets; http://saulwilliamsmasterclass.bpt.me. $50 At Door. Cash only. There is an ATM in the lounge downstairs.
Masterclasses and workshops are not included in Verses Festival of Words Early Bird Pass or regular Verses Festival of Words passes.
All Ages workshop. This event is a scent-reduced space. To assist us in our goal of increased access, please be aware of our attempt to reduce the impact of personal scented products (perfumes, scented oils, etc) in our festival spaces.
Accessibility Info for Wise Hall:
You’ll note on arrival a set of 10 railed stairs leading into the Hall. The wheelchair accessible entrance is around back. For this event there will be someone posted at the back door throughout the event.
Once inside, you’ll find a spacious wood-floored hall, open concept, tables and chairs set up throughout. The stage (accessible only via stairs) is to your left, and the washrooms towards the back of the hall. The washrooms are currently gendered, but will be marked “gender neutral” for Verses. There are two sets of washrooms. The one to the right of the bar, currently marked “women”, is wheelchair accessible with no urinals and one additional stall. The one to the left of the bar is currently marked “men” is on the same level and is now wheelchair accessible, with 2 urinals and one wheelchair access stall and one non-wheelchair access stall. The door has been adjusted to more easily fit wheelchair/scooter users. Overall the space is great.

Read the Radical Accessibility Mapping Project’s WISE Hall overview for complete audit.

Hullabaloo Finals featuring Jeremy Loveday
2017-04-22 20:00 - 22:30 | What’s Happening at Vancouver Poetry House
The 7th annual HULLABALOO FINALS NIGHT will determine which school has the best poetic chops in all of British Columbia. Jeremy Loveday will start the evening with a feature set of her award-winning spoken word poetry. Then the top four teams from the preliminary bouts will face off against each other with the 2016 Hullabaloo team championship (and the Billy Sharkspeare Trophy) at stake!
Alice MacKay Room.
Doors: 7:00 PM; Start: 8:00 PM; End: 10:30 PM
Show followed by after party with pizza & pop.
About the feature: Jeremy Loveday is an award winning performance poet and 2X Victoria Poetry Slam Champion. Jeremy speaks his truth powerfully on social and environmental justice issues, gender violence, love, manhood, and leadership. His work has been featured on Upworthy, Huffington Post, CBC, and in Claudia; one of Brazil`s largest magazines. His videopoem Masks Off – A Challenge to Men has been viewed over a million times, has been translated into 6 languages and is taught in Universities and High School classrooms around the world. Jeremy is the Founder and Director of Victorious Voices youth spoken word festival and he has served as a Victoria City Councillor since 2014.
Open to the general public. All Ages. General seating. Seating cannot be reserved in advance.
Accessibility info:
The VPL Central Branch has elevators to reach the downstairs rooms where the Hullabaloo events are being held. There are wheelchair accessible bathrooms. For more details, refer to their list of facilities.
