summer love, friends play grapefruit tangerine embrace taste the sunshine now!
Please enjoy responsibly pumphouse.beer
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Welcome This year marks the twelfth edition of the Edmonton Poetry Festival. In this past year, we have been called to witness immense cultural and political shifts. Where does poetry fit in to all that? Poetry gives us a voice. Poetry offers a safe space. Poetry delights. Poetry responds. It is in this response that the 2017 festival looks to the Horizon. This year, we celebrate the gift of poetry by searching out where we come from, and where we are going. We showcase events that ask us to seek work by poets writing with a different view to the horizon, by poets pushing the boundaries of the form, and by those challenging the status quo. I’m so excited to welcome you to the 2017 festival! Please join me in welcoming our visiting poets, our local artists, and all our hardworking volunteers! See you out there!
Ray anne Doucet Board of Directors
Staff & Coordinating Team
Alice Major – President Jannie Edwards – Vice President Patrick Seal – Treasurer Don Perkins Pierrette Requier Matthew Stepanic Bill Howe Liam Coady Brandon Wint
Rayanne Doucet – Executive Director Adriana Onita – Program Coordinator Michael Gravel – Venue Manager / Web Designer Wendy Arrowsmith – Financial Officer Marc Nipp @ ElDesigno – Graphic Designer Charlotte Cranston – Sign-up Coordinator Randall Edwards – Photographer Tonia LaRiviere – Publicity Shelaine Sparrow – Donor Relations
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mon, apr. 17
10am – 5pm:
The Polyglot: Multilingual Horizons @ McLuhan House Reading History: A Celebration of Poetry @ Rutherford House
wed, apr. 19
Poetry Central @ Beaver Hills Park Noon:
2pm:
tues, apr. 18 11:30am – 1:30pm:
We Come To You From Everywhere @ Edmonton Poets House
afternoon
morning
Sun, apr. 16
Noon – 1pm:
Noon – 1pm:
6pm:
5:30pm:
Local Books 1 at Centre Stage @ CBC Centre Stage
Brown Bag Lunch: Expanding Horizons @ Arts and Convocation Hall
2:30pm:
Life is poetry; poetry is life @ Theatre Dialog
4pm:
evening
Box @ Café Blackbird
On the Horizon w/ Glass Buffalo Magazine @ Audreys Books
7:30pm:
Quicksilver Blinks w/ The Stroll of Poets @ The Mercury Room
8pm:
Teen Slam w/ Breath in Poetry Collective @ Massawa Café
Event Horizon @ The Yellowhead Brewery
7:30pm:
Eskonahkwahk @ Latitude 53
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thurs, apr. 20
fri, apr. 21
sat, apr. 22 10am – 5pm:
Our Planet, Our Poems: Your Work Now; Workshop @ McLuhan House
Noon – 1pm:
Local Books 2 at Centre Stage @ CBC Centre Stage
Noon – 1pm:
Lunch with the Griffins @ Hyatt Place
sun, apr. 23 10am – 1pm:
Prayer and Poetry – A Workshop @ UofA Botanic Gardens
Noon – 1pm:
YEP Showcase @ Massawa Café
1pm:
Cutlines: Through the landscapes of experience @ The Almanac
4pm:
Literary Cocktails w/ U of A Press @ Faculty Club
4pm:
Leaving Home, A lecture from Jane Munro @ St.John's Institute
6pm:
Wine and Wild Women Wordsmiths @ The Yellowhead Brewery
7pm: Vintage
Poetry w/ SEESA @ Southeast Edmonton Seniors Association
8:30pm:
Slam Finals w/ Breath in Poetry Collective @ Old Strathcona Performing Arts Center
The Café Readings @ L'Espresso Cafe, Three Bananas Café, Audreys Books and Massawas Cafe
6pm:
Clouds on the Horizon – Query? @Lattitude 53
11th Annual Evening of Poetry @Strathcona County Library
Toutes Horizons with RAFA @ Kasbar
Late Night Literati @ Yellowhead Brewery
Skylines: The view from here @ Lattitude 53
7pm:
7pm: Poésies de
8:30pm:
4pm:
1:30pm – 4:30pm:
8:30pm:
Birds on a Wire @ Studio 96
7pm:
Beyond Reconciliation @ Studio 96
This guide is published by
Please contact us to have your guide or promotional product produced. Postvue Publishing #200, 11230 119 St. • Edmonton, AB. • T5G 2X3 Ph: 780.426.1996 © 2017 Postvue Publishing All Rights Reserved, Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without the written consent of the publisher.
Associate Publisher Account Managers Layout & Design
Weekdays June 15 to August 18
Joanne Layh James Jarvis Garry Hough Steven Teeuwsen
10242 106 St, Edmonton www.latitude53.org
A space for the intersection of contemporary art and ideas in Alberta
Danièle Dennis & Shantel Miller April 13 - May 27, 2017 Dennis and Miller’s works use colour and portraiture to explore the surreptitious barriers and stereotypes surrounding blackness and racialized identities in society today.
Find out more about our programming at latitude53.org, or follow us @latitude_53
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Festival Venues The Almanac
Arts and Convocation Hall - Student Lounge Audreys Books
Beaver Hills Park Café Blackbird
CBC Centre Stage City Hall
Edmonton Poets House L’Espresso Café
The Faculty Club
Hyatt Place Edmonton The Kasbar Latitude 53
Massawa Café
10351 82 Avenue University of Alberta 10702 Jasper Avenue 10440 Jasper Avenue 9640 142 Street 123 Edmonton City Centre #1 Sir Winston Churchill Square 9016 153 Street #3 Sir Winston Churchill Square 11435 Saskatchewan Drive 9576 Jasper Avenue 10444 82 Ave 10242 106 Street 10153 97 Street
McLuhan House
11342 64 Street
The Mercury Room
10575 114 Street
Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre Rutherford House Provincial Historic Site
SEESA Seniors Centre St. John's Institute Strathcona County Library Studio 96
Theatre “Dialog”
Three Bananas Café
University of Alberta Botanic Gardens Yellowhead Brewery
8426 Gateway Boulevard 11153 Saskatchewan Drive 9350 82 Street 11024 82 Avenue 410 Festival Lane, Sherwood Park 10909 96 Street 10005 80 Avenue Sir Winston Churchill Square 51227 Alberta 60, Parkland County 10229 105 Street
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The Artists Tim Bowling, Nora Gould, Tyler B. Perry, Micheline Maylor, Joel Katelnikoff, Douglas Barbour, Marilyn Dumont, Mary Pinkoski, Marina Reid Hale, Claire Kelly, Lisa Martin, Curtis Leblanc, Liam Coady, Shima Robinson (aka Dwennimmen), Norma Dunning, Bert Almon, Laurie MacFayden, David Olberholtzer, Richard Van Camp, Gisèle Villeneuve, Kimmy Beach, Christine Stewart, Anna Marie Sewell, Maya Gupta, Ariel Kroon, Pearl Lorentzen, Floyd Robert-Maduekwe, Morgan Smith, Kathy Fisher, Nanise, Kaz Mega, Alison Clarke, Lady Vanessa, Tab CA, Medgine Mathurin, Malik Hinton, Donovan Waskahat, Wendy McGrath, Sasha Liebrand, Yana Loo, Ella Zeltserman, Randy Kohan, Anton Iorga, Yukari Meldrum, Naomi McIlwraith, Adriana Onita, Luciana Erregue, Emilie Lavoie, Axel Perez, Jade O’Riley, Tracey Anderson, Jennifer Bowering, Gail Sidone Sobat
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Feature Poets Liz Howard
Lillian Allen
Jane Munro
Rebecca Thomas
Gregory Scofield
Ben Ladouceur
Shane Book
Richard Harrison
Pierrette Requier
Nasra Adem
Her debut collection won the 2016 Griffin Poetry Prize – a first in Griffin history.
Winner of the 2015 Griffin Poetry Prize and author of six books of poetry. She holds a doctorate in adult education. Gregory’s work has been called urgent and emotional and is inspired by calls for reconciliation between Indigenous and nonIndigenous Canadians. The current writer in residence at the University of Calgary. He was shortlisted for the 2015 Griffin Poetry Prize.
Poet Laureate of Edmonton, bilingual poet, playwright, performer, producer, mentor and arts activist.
Internationally renowned legend of Dub Poetry, Juno Award winning artist, community activist, teacher.
A M’ikmaw woman and Halifax Poet Laureate, Rebecca Thomas delivers melodic, witty and damning truths.
His first collection of poems, Otter was awarded the 2016 Gerald Lampert Memorial Award for best debut poetry collection in Canada. Richard is a multipleaward-winning poet, essayist and Editor.
#YEG Youth Poet Laureate, Kick Ass Activist, Black Arts Matters curator.
r e t i r wResidence in
2017
Richard Van Camp is the 2017 Metro Federation Regional Writer in Residence. He is based out of Strathcona County Library until the end of April, at Fort Saskatchewan Public Library during May and June, and St. Albert Public Library from September to the end of the year. A writer of multiple talents, he has baby books, children’s books, comic books, graphic novels and films all to his credit. As well as offering workshops, Richard will meet one-on-one with writers of all skill levels, at no charge. Contact him at regionalwir@gmail.com or 780.240.1194.
11th Annual Evening of Poetry
Sat, Apr 22 | 7:00 - 9:00 pm Strathcona County Library, 401 Festival Lane, Sherwood Park Pay for your tickets at the door | $5 per session Hear some of Alberta’s finest poets and share your own work in an open mic session. Adults only. Wine will be served.
Indigenous Movie Night with Richard Van Camp
Fri, Apr 28 | 7:00 - 9:30 pm | FREE Strathcona County Library, 401 Festival Lane, Sherwood Park A rare opportunity to see the work of some of Canada’s best Indigenous filmmakers. Free popcorn too!
Music and Words: A Wrap-Up Celebration
Sat, Apr 29 | 7:00 - 10:00 pm | FREE Katie’s Crossing, on Baseline Rd east of RR 222 We’ll send Richard off to the next leg of his residency in grand style, with this lively evening of music and entertainment! Register for all of these programs at sclibrary.ca/programmain.htm or by calling 780.410.8600
Strathcona County
LIBRARY
Richard Van Camp > regionalwir@gmail.com > 780.240.1194 > metrowir.com
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BYOV EVENTS
(Bring Your Own Venue)
We Come To You From Everywhere A Poetry reading with Jade O’Riley & The Poets Within
Sunday, April 16, 2017 11 am to 5 pm – Open House Suggested donation - $10 at the door Edmonton Poets House Jade O’Riley, creator of Poet Within classes (at City Arts) and Edmonton Poets House, presents The Poet Within Reading: We Come To You From Everywhere.
Reading History: A Celebration of Poetry at Rutherford House
Sunday, April 16, 2017 2 pm, Doors 1:30 $7 admission to Rutherford House Rutherford House An intimate gathering of poets explore the idea of “History” – applying their voice to personal and cultural histories, whether family, home or land.
Box
Sunday, April 16, 2017 4 pm, Doors 3:30, $5 at the door Café Blackbird QUARTO & SOUND local musicians Yana Loo and Sascha Liebrand and writer Wendy McGrath present an adaptation of McGrath’s poem "Box" in a collaboration of poetry, original instrumental music, and voice.
Life is poetry; poetry is life
Monday, April 17, 2017 2:30, Doors at 2:00, $5.00 at the door Theatre Dialog A presentation of the lives and poetry of three Russian, Silver-age poets – Nikolai Gumilyov, Anna Akhmatova and Osip Mandelstam.
The Polyglot: Multilingual Horizons
Monday, April 17, 2017 12:00 pm, doors at 11:30, Pay what you can McLuhan House The Polyglot, Canada's first multilingual poetry and art magazine, invites you to a reading by poets featured in our inaugural issue Crosswalks, followed by a roundtable on experimenting with different languages to expand poetry horizons.
Beyond Reconciliation
Sunday, April 23, 2017 7 pm, Doors 6:30 pm, Free Studio 96 Join Marilyn Dumont, Norma Dunning and guests for an evening of local poetry about some current worldviews of Indigenous Canada, Beyond Reconciliation.
GARDENS LOVE POETS
Philosophy, Prayer and Poetry
Sunday, April 23, 10 am - 1 pm In partnership with the Edmonton Poetry Festival. Advance registration required.
A Workshop with Richard Harrison Explore poetry and prayer in the inspiring setting of the Garden, where poetry is a kind of answer, however uncertain, and prayer is a kind of request.
LOCATED IN PARKLAND COUNTY, 5 KM NORTH OF DEVON HWY 60 780-987-3054 ext. 2227 | botanicgarden.ualberta.ca
Conversation Culture Community & Coffee! Quality used books and locally roasted Catfish Coffee in the heart of historic Highlands 6419 112 Ave 780.479.4050 MandolinBooks.com
Formerly the Devonian Botanic Garden
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Events
All doors open ½ hour before the performance.
Poetry Central – Tuesday to Friday
11:30 am to 1:30 pm, Free events all week Beaver Hills Park Poetry Central is your chance for a lunch-time poetry meet-up to watch some of Edmonton’s finest poets perform on the park stage. Have a Short-Order Poem written for you on the spot. Pick up festival information or a free poetry book.
TUESDAY, April 18 Local Books 1 at Centre Stage
noon – 1 pm, Free event CBC Centre Stage, Edmonton City Centre Three Edmonton writers bring recent books to show off the local/national/international scope of writing in this city. They’ll chat about their books and share some poems.
On the Horizon with Glass Buffalo Magazine
6 pm, Free event Audreys Books Emerging poets share their work and discuss the role poetry plays in crossing that next horizon in their writing. Featured contributors include Maya Gupta, Ariel Kroon, Pearl Lorentzen, and Floyd Robert-Maduekwe, along with special guest Bert Almon.
Quicksilver Blinks with The Stroll of Poets 7:30 pm, Free event The Mercury Room The Stroll of Poets’ annual blitz of 30-second poems takes on extra polish this year. We’re celebrating the Stroll’s 25th anniversary as Edmonton’s friendliest poetry gathering. So shine up your lines and show us your metal! Register at blinks@edmontonpoetryfestival.com
Teen Slam with Breath in Poetry Collective
8 pm, Free event Massawa Café This individual Teen Only poetry competition is an opportunity exclusively for young spokenword artists. All competitors and judges will be 21 or under-- just remember it’s all about the poetry, not the points.
WEDNESDAY, April 19 Brown Bag Lunch: Expanding Horizons with the Canadian Literature Centre
Noon – 1 pm, Free event Arts and Convocation Hall, Student Union, U of A In this lunch hour panel discussion, poets Douglas Barbour, Shane Book, Joel Katelnikoff and Gregory Scofield describe their own methods of poetic innovation, and the potential effects and interventions of these innovative poetries.
Event Horizon
5:30 pm, Tickets: $5 members, $10 nonmembers in advance at Tix on the Square or at the door The Yellowhead Brewery We’re going to the far edges of poetry with four sizzling, out-there poets: Shane Book, Claire Kelly, Joel Katelnikoff and Douglas Barbour.
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Eskonahkwahk
7:30 pmTickets: $15 members, $20 nonmembers in advance at Tix on the Square or at the door Latitude 53 Amiskwaciwâskahika (Edmonton) sits on Treaty 6 land. As we look to the future, four of Canada’s leading poets gather to share their voices and stories. This celebration features the work of Liz Howard, Rebecca Thomas, Gregory Scofield and Marilyn Dumont.
THURSDAY, April 20 Local Books 2 at Centre Stage
noon – 1 pm, Free event CBC Centre Stage, Edmonton City Centre In this second installment of Local Books, we feature three more Edmonton writers with recent books to show off.
Literary Cocktails with U of A Press
4 pm, Free event Faculty Club, U of A Please join the staff of the University of Alberta Press for readings and refreshments as they launch their five newest literary titles.
Vintage Poetry with SEESA
7 pm, Tickets: $5.00 members, $7.00 nonmembers at the door Southeast Edmonton Seniors Association This eleventh annual evening of well-aged poets features local poets and special guest reader Bert Almon. Register in advance by calling 780468-1985 as there are limited spaces available.
French Twist 6 : Poésies de Toutes Horizons with RAFA
7 pm, Free event The Kasbar Join RAFA for their 6th annual evening celebrating francophone poetry in Edmonton.
Late Night Literati
8:30 pm, Tickets: $10.00 members, $15.00 non-members Yellowhead Brewery in advance at Tix on the Square or at the door. Men and Women of letters—Night Owls—Join us for a late-night showcase of poets that howl at the Moon. Poets Mary Pinkoski, Ben Ladouceur, Rebecca Thomas, and Lillian Allen are sure to keep your literary groove going deep into the night.
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FRIDAY, April 21 Lunch with the Griffins
Noon – 1pm, Tickets: $25 members, $35 nonmembers in advance at Tix on the Square Hyatt Place Edmonton Get up close and personal with Griffin winners Liz Howard (2016), Jane Munro (2015), and Tim Bowling (2015 Griffin Judge) at this VIP lunch. You must register online in advance. Only twentyfive seats are available for this special event.
Leaving Home, A lecture from Jane Munro with the Canadian Authors Association
4 pm, Free for CAA and Poetry Festival members, $10 for non-members at the door St. John’s Institute Where we thought we were living is changing. Our eyes go to the horizon: how will we be ourselves in the future? Don’t miss this chance to hear from the 2015 Griffin Award Winner and author of six poetry collections.
Wine and Wild Women Wordsmiths
6:30pm, Tickets: $20 members, $30 nonmembers in advance at Tix on the Square and at the door. Includes poetry, four wine samples and hors d'oeuvre. Yellowhead Brewery This popular event returns! We invite you to enjoy distilled words, quality grapes, and the company of women who make a habit of pushing boundaries! Feature readers are Nasra Adem, Pierrette Requier, Liz Howard and Lillian Allen!
Slam Finals with Breath in Poetry Collective
8:30 pm, Tickets: $15 in advance through Tix on The Square and at the door Old Strathcona Performing Arts Center This slam marks the Breath in Poetry’s 7th year of competitions that determine which poets will represent #YEG at the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word. This event sells out! Make sure to get your tickets in advance!
SATURDAY, April 22 Our Planet, Our Poems: Your Work Now; A workshop from Jane Munro with The Canadian Authors Association
10 am – 3:30 pm, $40 for members of the Candian Authors Association and the Poetry Festival, $70 for non-members McLuhan House In this workshop with Jane Munro we explore our relationships with our writing and our relationship with Earth. Come prepared to draft new poems. Space is limited to 16 participants. Register in advance online
YEP Showcase
Noon – 1 pm, Free event Massawa Café Young Edmonton Poets with Nasra Adem. And yep, you want to be here for this showcase of young voices followed by an open mic for youth aged 13-23.
Cutlines: Through the landscapes of experience
1 pm, Tickets: $5 members, $10 non-members in advance at Tix on the Square and at the door The Almanac The poets you’ll meet in Cutlines lay down their precise lines to map the complicated landscapes of the human heart. Featuring Nora Gould, Tyler B. Perry and Richard Harrison
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Skylines: The view from here
4 pm, Tickets: $5 members, $10 non-members in advance at Tix on the Square and at the door The Almanac Four prominent poets bring their particular viewpoints from across the country. Featuring Rebecca Thomas, Tim Bowling, Laurie MacFayden, and Pierrette Requier. Join us to see the skyline from somewhere new.
Clouds on the Horizon – Query? with The Writers Guild of Alberta
6 pm, Tickets $5 PoFest and WGA members, $10 non-members in advance at Tix on the Square and at the door Latitude 53 How can queer people use poetry to respond to current events while continuing to celebrate the beauty, diversity, and resilience of the LGBTQ community? Ben Ladouceur and Gregory Scofield, headline this collaboration of strong and resistant queer voices.
Strathcona County Library 11th Annual Evening of Poetry
7 Pm, Free event Strathcona County Library Marilyn Dumont and Pierrette Requier join writer-in-residence Richard van Camp for an evening of poetry. Adults only. Includes an open mic. Registering online, in person or by calling 780-410-8600.
Birds on a Wire – Our Annual Poetry Party
8:30 pm, Tickets $15 members, $20 nonmembers in advance at Tix on the Square and at the door, VOLUNTEERS GET IN FREE Studio 96 Prepare yourself for a night of rousing music and poetry inspired by the songs of the late Leonard Cohen. Feature poets include Kaz Mega, Dwennimmen, Morgan Smith, Nanise, Tab CA, Alison Clarke, Lady Vanessa, and Mary Pinkoski. This event is generously sponsored by the Pratch Family Foundation.
SUNDAY, April 23 Prayer and Poetry – A Workshop with Richard Harrison at the Devonian Gardens
10am - 1pm, Registration: $55 (limited to 18 spots) University of Alberta Botanic Gardens Gathered in the inspiring Kurimoto Japanese Garden, participants in this three-hour workshop explore poetry and prayer with Richard Harrison. Space is limited! Register online at www.devonian.ualberta.ca or call 780-987-3054 x 2227.
The Café Readings
1:30 - 4:30 pm, Free event L'Espresso Cafe, Three Bananas Café, Audreys Books and Massawas Cafe Wind down festival week with our traditional chorus of local voices. It’s for young and old, newbies and pros—just sign up to read and share the company of Edmonton’s poetry community. Register at cafe@ edmontonpoetryfestival.com
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Your Donation helps us Celebrate Poetry in Edmonton. The Edmonton Poetry Festival is a registered Charity. As a non-profit, charitable organization PoFest relies on the support and contributions of our sponsors, members, audiences and many generous supporters. We appreciate your generosity. All donations of $25 or more will receive a tax-deductible receipt. Our charitable number is 85605 2188 RR0001
Name Address Postal Code Phone E-Mail Are you interested in volunteering?
Donation $10
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If yes, please let us know your area of interest:
$20
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Make payments to: Edmonton Poetry Festival 11342 – 64 street Edmonton, Alberta, T5W 4H5
BE A HERO TO YOUR CREATIVITY
iHuman Youth Society uses the power of creativity to help traumatized young people imagine a new future. If you would like to help us by donating, volunteering or learning about us visit www.ihuman.org or email info@ihuman.org
Carrot Poetry Night is the last Wednesday of the month.