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 … Continued
Register as a Storm Poet for the 2025 Canadian Individual Poetry Slam!!
Vancouver Poetry Slam is BACK! Join us on Monday, March 10th, for our first show in our new home (Shamshiri Caveman (139 Keefer St)) with the fabulous Jillian Christmas as our feature poet. Can't make it in-person? This event is hybrid, so you can join us online!
A public workshop as part of Amplify: Spoken Word Intensive, a writing workshop about form, image/metaphor and how they evolve to fit within a specific poetic constraint.
Award winning, nationally celebrated poet, Brandon Wint, discusses his process on how to curate a set for a reading.
A drop-in workshop led by Sheri-D Wilson regarding genre mixing and community.
Artist talk highlighting considerations with engaging in community, focusing on concepts of ethics, accountability, and consent.
A great opportunity for poets to be introduced to tools on activating the body and voice when preparing for a performance.
Sheri-D Wilson with special guest, Renée Sarojini Saklikar, discuss the evolution of poetry, and the craft of creating epic poems.
Celebrate the finale of the intensive at an intimate house concert conducted by C.R. Avery and featuring the Amplify cohort.
Join us for this public workshop as part of the Amplify: Spoken Word Intensive, presented in partnership with Historic Joy Kogawa House! Where: In-person: Historic Joy Kogawa House When: Sun, March 23 – 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM Cost: $15 (No one turned away for lack of funds: please contact: info@kogawahouse.com to request accommodations.) DESCRIPTION: … Continued
Join us on Monday, March 24th, for another Van Slam at Shamshiri Caveman (139 Keefer St)! Can't make it in-person? This event is hybrid, so you can join us online!
Join us on Monday, April 7th, for the 2025 Van Slam FINALS at Shamshiri Caveman (139 Keefer St)! Come find out who will take the title of 2025 Vancouver Poetry Slam Champion and rep Vancouver at the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam!! After two intense qualifying slams in March, the top 8 … Continued
Verses Festival of Words Celebrate the transformative power of language at Verses Festival of Words About Verses Festival of Words Canada’s largest alternative literary arts festival, Verses Festival of Words offers up dynamic programming celebrating a broad definition of literary arts, including spoken word poetry, storytelling, page-based poetry, singer-songwriters, improvisers, … Continued
Gathered Hullabaloo teams introduce themselves with zany, hilarious and/or awkward 1-minute poems, then enjoy a showcase from festival alumni! Join us to meet the teams and witness some poetic magic from former Hullabaloo participants, Angelic Goldsky and more! Thu, April 10 at Vancouver Film School (151 W Cordova) Doors: 6:00 PM … Continued
King Kimbit, Spin El Poeta and Jozy dazzle and delight in a showcase of super powered spoken word! On a workshop-style stage, the Hullabaloo All Stars present poems in conversation for an energetic and attentive audience! Friday, April 11th, at Vancouver Film School (151 W Cordova) Doors: 12:00 PM | Start: … Continued
All Hullabaloo teams in Hullabaloo perform a mix of individual and group performances in poetry slam competitions! Poetry presented with gusto and the enthusiastic support of all attending teams. Teams competing in Hullabaloo represent schools from Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Delta, Chilliwack and Victoria. Friday, April 11th, at Vancouver Film School (151 … Continued
Hullabaloo's All Star poets offer up four 50-minute "mini masterclass" workshops for youth aged 13 to 18! Participating youth can sign up for two out of four mini master classes (50-minute workshops) offered by King Kimbit, Spin El Poeta, Jozy & TBC. Sat, April 12 at The Post at 750 … Continued
All Hullabaloo teams in Hullabaloo perform a mix of individual and group performances in poetry slam competitions! Poetry presented with gusto and the enthusiastic support of all attending teams. Teams competing in Hullabaloo represent schools from Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Delta, Chilliwack and Victoria. At the end of the last set … Continued
The top four teams compete in one last slam to crown the 2025 champion! Following the presentation of the Zaccheus Jackson Spirit of the Slam Award and a performance from an incredible headlining artist, Donna-Michelle St. Bernard, the four competing teams throw down in a final slam to determine the … Continued
One of the festival flagship events, "Oral Traditions" is an evening that amplifies diverse voices with a focus on oral traditions. For 2025, led by Sonya Littlejohn, Oral Traditions will be a collaborative showcase with partners: Native Hip Hop Society, Wordsmiths, and Soul Stories. This event will celebrate Indigenous, Black, … Continued
Poet Sheri-D Wilson launches the next volume of her epic work, The ONEIRONAUT ∅2 Come Celebrate as we launch the 2nd volume in a three-book one-story fantasy trilogy written in the beguiling words of poet Sheri-D Wilson. Sheri-D will be joined by friends: C.R. Avery, Billeh Nickerson, & Anjalica Solomon. Tuesday, April 15th, … Continued
Location: Chill-X Studio Time: 3:00 pm This session is formatted as a talk and facilitated dialogue where Governor General Award winning artist, Donna-Michelle St. Bernard will share knowledge on bridging disciplines of poetry, emcee, writing poetry, writing for theatre, and developing that work into performance. DM will impart knowledge … Continued
The first round of competition features back-to-back slams as 24 of the best poets across Canada begin the tournament that will determine the 2025 Canadian Poetry Slam Champion! During Round 1, competing poets will perform 2-minute and 3-minute poems. This event will also stream live on the POETV YouTube channel. … Continued
![[ID: Johnny Trinh is holding a microphone in one hand and a clipboard in the other. He stands in front of The Rio’s red theatre curtain/end ID]](https://www.vancouverpoetryhouse.com/media/Trinh-Hosts-360x360-1.jpg "Trinh-Hosts-360×360")
Location: Chill-X Studio Time: 1:00 pm This presentation is perfect for any artist or arts organization that is looking to produce community-engaged art projects. Johnny D Trinh, Vancouver Poetry House | Executive Artistic Director, Historic Joy Kogawa House | Interim Executive Director, Stage to Page Performance Society | Founding … Continued
The second round of competition features back-to-back slams as 24 of the best poets across Canada compete to see who will make Saturday night's CIPS FINALS! During Round 2, competing poets will perform 4-minute and 1-minute poems. This event will also stream live on the POETV YouTube channel. Thursday, April … Continued
Stage to Page returns for a public workshop where poets will explore ways to collaborate with music and other disciplines. Industry experts from across artistic disciplines and sectors offer tips and feedback to poets on their works, culminating in a musical jam session. Fri, April 18 at Chill X Studio … Continued
Always a fun event that offers opportunities for folks passionate about poetry to share work in a supportive environment! At this open mic-style event, attendees can sign up when they arrive at the event to share poems in an informal setting. Friday, April 18th, at Chill X Studio (2270 Manitoba St) … Continued
A longtime friend to Verses, Mashed Poetics returns with a showcase that brings music and poetry together as we celebrate The Tragically Hip album "Fully Completely"! Poets are invited to create work inspired by a song, artist, or album. Then, in true concert style, Mashed Poetics performs covers of the … Continued
A rare opportunity to learn from the incredible Beau Sia! Verses Festival of Words poet of honour and legendary Spoken Word poet Beau Sia offers a masterclass that offers coaching, tips, and feedback to poets interested in performance and writing compelling work. Sat, April 19 at Chill X Studio (2270 … Continued