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
After an intense preliminary competition, the top poets compete to crown the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam champion for 2025! Before the competition begins, enjoy an incredible opportunity to see our poet of honour, Beau Sia, perform a feature set, and help us celebrate the recipient(s) of this year's Zaccheus Jackson … Continued
Vancouver Poetry Slam returns in-person and online with a May slam featuring newly-crowned (and two-time!) Canadian Individual Poetry Slam champion, MayaSpoken! In addition to a feature set from MayaSpoken, this slam includes a short open mic and a two-round poetry slam. Sign up for open mic and slam spots will … Continued
Vancouver Poetry Slam returns in-person and online with a June slam featuring Derek Edenshaw!
In addition to a feature set from Derek Edenshaw, this slam includes a short open mic and a two-round poetry slam. Sign up for open mic and slam spots will be first come, first serve. The show opens with the open mic and the feature performance. Following a short break, we slam!
Vancouver Poetry Slam returns in-person and online with a July slam featuring Will Rideout! This month we are excited to feature set from USA poet, Will Rideout!! This slam includes a two-round poetry slam and an open mic. The show opens with the open mic and then the feature performance … Continued
Vancouver Poetry Slam September-- featuring Shima Aisha Robinson! Monday, September 1st, 2025 at Shamshiri Caveman (139 Keefer St). Doors: 7:00 PM | Sign up: 7:30 PM | Show: 8:00 PM $8 Advance - BUY TICKETS $10-$15 sliding scale at the door (no one turned away for lack of funds) This … Continued
Meet the Cascadia Deaf Nation Stewards: Rei, Annie and Ashanti Cascadia Deaf Nation is a vibrant capacity building social business committed to promoting community wellness within BIPOC Deaf communities. It also extends its services to broader communities in the beautiful and unceded Coast Salish territories within lush Cascadia bioregion. … Continued
Van Slam will return to El Torito (139B Keefer St.) on October 6th! Doors: 7 pm Sign up: 7:30 pm Slam: 8 pm $8 in advance at Zeffy.com $10-15 @ the door No one turned away for lack of funds El Torito is a wheelchair accessible venue. A warm thank … Continued
Van Slam will return to El Torito (139B Keefer St.) on November 3rd with the inimitable CHARLIE PETCH as our feature! Doors: 7 pm Sign up: 7:30 pm Slam: 8 pm $8 in advance at Zeffy.com $10-15 @ the door No one turned away for lack of funds A note … Continued
UPDATE Hey folks, Venue CHANGE for Dec 1 feat. JoeMac El Torito is unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances. We will be moving the slam to Historic Joy Kogawa House at 1450 W 64th Ave. Unfortunately Historic Joy Kogawa House is not wheelchair accessible so the event will by hybrid … Continued
Van Slam is back in January with a new look and feature, Miel Enage! Location: Enabling Arts (343 Railway Street, Vancouver) Doors: 7 pm Sign up: 7:30 pm Slam: 8 pm $8 in advance at https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/van-slam-ft-miel-enage $10-15 @ the door No one turned away for lack of funds. A note … Continued
Location: Enabling Arts (343 Railway Street, Vancouver) Doors: 7 pm Sign up: 7:30 pm Slam: 8 pm $8 in advance at https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/van-slam-ftmagpie-ulysses $10-15 @ the door No one turned away for lack of funds. VOLUNTEERS welcome! UPDATE: Volunteer spots *1 remaining* Please email: inclusion@vancouverpoetryhouse.com to claim a volunteer spot for … Continued
March 2nd | Enabling Arts Doors: 7 pm | Sign up: 7:30 pm | Slam: 8 pm $8 in advance | $10 at the door (no one turned away for lack of funds) About the Slam Vancouver Poetry Slam has been running a slam in Vancouver since the late 80’s. … Continued
Van Slam Finals ft. GC Vasquez April 6 | Enabling Arts Doors 7:30 | Show 8pm $8 Advance | $10-15 at the door (no one turned away for lack of funds) Tickets here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/van-slam-finals-ft-gc-vasquez Van Slam Finals! This invitational slam will feature 8 poets who have competed all season, collecting points … Continued
Van Slam ft. Khaleefa, Apollo the Child May 4 👏 Enabling Arts (343 Railway St., Vancouver) Open Mic + Slam Sign-Up 7:30pm 🎤 Show 8pm $8 Advance | $10-15 at the door (no one turned away for lack of funds) About the feature: Khaleefa ‘Apollo the Child’ Hamdan is a … Continued
Hullabaloo Finals 730pm | Vancouver Acting School (#210, 112 East 3rd Ave.) FREE | Register here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/hullabaloo-finals-ft-khaleefa-apollo-the-child About the Feature: Khaleefa ‘Apollo the Child’ Hamdan is a spoken word poet, hip hop artist, and former radio host, known for his commitment to youth empowerment through the arts. As a former … Continued
Oral Traditions 2026: (Inaugural) International Indigenous Poetry Slam April 27 | Chill-X Studio Doors: 7pm | Sign-up 7:30pm | Show: 8pm Adv. $10 | $15 at the door (no one turned away for lack of funds) Advance tickets from Zeffy here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/oral-traditions-at-verses--2026 Buy a Verses Festival pass HERE Co-produced with … Continued
Famous Last Words from Death Rides A Unicorn April 28 | Chill-X Studio 6:30pm to 8:30pm Adv. $10 | $15 at the door (no one turned away for lack of funds) Buy Advance Tickets for this event here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/famous-last-words-verses-2026-edition Buy a Verses Festival pass HERE A hilarious evening of poetry … Continued
Un-Closing Captions: possibilities for descriptive text April 29 | Chill-X Studio 3 pm to 5pm Adv. $10 or by donation | $10 at the door (no one turned away for lack of funds) Advance tickets for this event here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/captioning-and-scoring-poems-workshop Buy a Verses Festival pass HERE Led by Vancouver Poet … Continued