Here is it again! Verses Festival of Words launches its sixth season.
This year brings more than 35 events including competitions, performances, workshops and readings. Starting April 21, Verses Festival of Words will animate various East Vancouver venues until May 1. It sells out every year so make sure you get your tickets as soon as you can to indulge in this festival’s amazing line up of events.
The annual Hullabaloo event, the youth stream of the festival, starts with an all-star showcase of the poetic vitality of Janet Rogers, Lishai Peel, and Winona Linn on April 22 and is followed by two days of intensive face offs featuring the young, local poets.
Starting April 28, 40 national slam poets will present their best rhythm and rhyme to compete for the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam Championship. The champion will be named after the finals on April 30.
Seeing as this is Verses’ sixth season here are just a few of the great events they have planned:
There be Monsters
A seven-artist collaboration exploring the monstrous and tender sides of ourselves set to an original composition.
We Believe You Showcase and Open Mic
Centering around survivor stories and a celebration of the strength within the community.
Point of Inflection
Is a Real Vancouver Writer’s Series/SAD MAG multi-media display featuring short pieces of writing based on the focal moment of change with an accompanying cinemagraph and musical composition created by local Vancouver artists.
Talk the Talk: Mental Health Within Spoken Word
This year’s facilitated talk will engage with challenging issues, audience members are advised to come “prepared with questions, suggestions and a respectful voice.”
Femcees
Features four female MCs who will rock your poetic world.
Verses Festival of Words also hosts a plethora of masterclasses from great national writers, poets and speakers including Ivan Coyote, Richard Wagamese, RC Weslowski, and Dave Morris.
These are just a few of the great events and classes part of Verses Festival of Words. Tickets for events range from free – $25. Masterclasses prices range from $40 – $60. For the full event schedule and further information, check here.