April is National Poetry Month and Nanaimo’s WordStorm Society for the Arts is celebrating the occasion with a series of events, including what WordStorm artistic director Carla Stein calls the city’s first poetry slam.
Stein describes a slam as a “competitive in a democratic sense” event, in which performers compete for prizes from a panel of judges taken from the audience. The event, taking place at the Queen’s on April 12 at 7 p.m., will also feature B.C. poets R.C. Weslowski, Lucia Misch and Erin Kirsh. The grand prize is $100, admission is $10. Message WordStorm’s Facebook page to sign up.
“It’s going to be low-key, no pressure,” Stein said. “We’re all there to just support each other and enjoy each other.”
WordStorm is also partnering with the Nanaimo Harbourfront Library to present 5 Poets – Many Galaxies, a free event with local poets Stein and Hilary Peach, as well as visiting poets Bill Bissett, Stephen Roxborough and Geoff Inverarity at the library on April 8 at noon.
WordStorm’s regular Nanaimo Spoken Word night at the Buzz Coffee House happens on April 4 starting at 6:30 p.m. and and 15 Minutes of Infamy will take place on April 17 at the Green Olive at 7 p.m. Both events are $5 at the door. More poetry month details online.
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