| "Calgary is the epicentre of poetry."
When Sheri-D Wilson, the Artistic Director of the Calgary International Spoken Word Festival, started saying this five years ago, it was part joke, part wishful thinking. Five years later, she says, "it’s actually happened!"
Doubters need only look at the massive array of literary events flooding the city throughout National Poetry Month. "It’s amazing that we have such a strong representation of page poets and spoken-word artists here," says Wilson. "Those two things together are unheard of in any other city. Together, we have created a mammoth poetry epicentre." Still not convinced? Cast your gaze two hours westward, where in conjunction with Wilson’s festival, 20 influential spoken-word artists/organizers gather from April 9-19 for a historic meeting.
In 2005, a number of spoken-word artists, including Wilson and dub poet Lillian Allen, identified the need to organize as a group. "We’re the oral tradition, which is the oldest tradition of poetry," says Wilson, "but we’re also the newest form. We’re a diverse voice that needs representation, development and education – and there’s nowhere to go for that – so maybe we have to create possibilities."
Wilson approached the Banff Centre, which agreed to host a meeting of 18 artists/organisers. That gathering led to the creation of SWAN – the Spoken Word Arts Network. "We formed ourselves as a collective," says Wilson. "We don’t want to legitimize or institutionalize, put boundaries around spoken word, because it’s ever-flowing and changing. If something like slam poetry emerges, we want to include them and be able to provide historical context to the emerging voices."
Two years later, the success of the 2005 meeting has led to a follow-up with a grand vision. Not only does this April mark the second meeting of SWAN, but also a Spoken Word Pilot Program at the Banff Centre – with the hopes of turning it into an ongoing educational and development program. "We need a program. There’s no program that teaches spoken word," says Wilson. "As a collective, we hope to further the form and create an opportunity for it to grow and change."
This year’s gigantic assemblage of heavyweight artists includes Fortner Anderson, Joe Blades, Klyde Broox, TL Cowan, Ivan E. Coyote, Darek Dawda, Ian Ferrier, Bob Holman, D. Kimm, Cheryl L’Hirondelle, Geneviève Letarte, Kevin Matthews, Sean McGarragle, Dwayne Morgan, Billeh Nickerson, Hilary Peach, Andrea Thompson, RC Weslowski and Wilson herself. Over the course of the meetings, they’ll be offering two public glimpses at their work. The first, Poetry sPeaks, takes place April 11 at 9:00 p.m., featuring Fortner Anderson, Klyde Broox, Ian Ferrier, Cheryl L’Hirondelle and Hilary Peach. Then, for an evening of uproarious hilarity, check out LOL Poetry, featuring Ivan E. Coyote, Billeh Nickerson, Hilary Peach, Andrea Thompson and RC Weslowski. Both readings take place in The Club at the Banff Centre (107 Tunnel Mountain Drive).
Speaking of spoken word, don’t forget that the Calgary International Spoken Word Festival kicks off this week with OUTrageously Real, a gala celebration of queer poetics featuring the official launch of Seminal: The Anthology of Canadian Gay Male Poets and performances by John Barton, David Bateman, Ivan E. Coyote, Mz. Dyna Myte, Billeh Nickerson, evalyn parry, Bill Richardson and Michael V. Smith. Not to be missed – April 5, 8:00 p.m., in the Jack Singer Concert Hall Lobby (EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts).
That same night, Charles Noble celebrates National Poetry Month with selections from his latest collection, Death Drive Through Gaia Paris. It’s an evening of poetic experimentation on April 5, 7:00 p.m., at McNally Robinson (120 8th Ave SW).
Chief Inspector Bliss is a busy fellow. In the latest instalment of his James Hawkins-penned detective series, Bliss must protect Queen Elizabeth II from religious extremists. Embark on a tale of intrigue, senility and Jack the Ripper on April 7, 7:30 p.m., at McNally Robinson.
If you can’t make it to Banff on April 11, you can get your poetry fix here in Calgary with Oni the Haitian Sensation! She comes all the way from Toronto with her first poetry collection, Ghettostocracy, a sexy, fierce and unrepentant look at politricks, ghetto nobility and child support. Join her at McNally Robinson, 7:00 p.m..
Sheena Koops presents Voice of the Valley, a coming-of-age tale surrounding the flooding of Saskatchewan’s Souris Valley. She’ll be at McNally Robinson on April 12, noon.
April 12 will be a heartbreaking evening with (at least) three literary events vying for your attention. There’s the launch of Frontenac House’s 2007 Quartet, with brand new offerings by David Bateman, Dymphny Dronyk, Alexis Kienlen and Patria Rivera, 7:00 p.m. at the Memorial Park Library (1221 2nd St SW). Then there’s filling Station magazine’s flywheel reading series, hosted by Natalie Zina Walschots with readings by Laurie Fuhr, Jill Hartman, Josh Smith and Caleb Zimmerman over at McNally Robinson, 7:30 p.m. Finally, at the university, I’ve heard rumours that every single creative writing student – that’s right, every one of ‘em – will read selections of their work. I’ve yet to ferret out details on this marathon, but watch this space next week for more info. |
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