Day Events
(See full schedule at bottom of page, PDF link)
TUESDAY OCTOBER 11
Registration/Orientation
3pm - 4:30 pm
Drake Hotel Underground, 1150 Queen St. W.
Welcome, poets! Register your team by sending one rep p to the stage when your city is called. You’ll receive a poetry bag filled with some goodies and this awesome program guide. Orientation will include the bout draw, info on venues and daytime events, bout protocol and other important details about the fest. This session is MANDATORY for all competing poets.
Legends of Spoken Word Showcase
5 pm
Drake Hotel Underground, 1150 Queen St. W.
As we celebrate present-day spoken word, what about the pioneers who shaped the performance poetry scenes across Canada? You’ll hear from poetry legends such as Lillian Allen, Andrea Thompson, Eddy da Original One, Sheri-D Wilson from Calgary and RC Weslowski from Vancouver.
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 12
Slam as a Safe Space
11am – 12: 45pm
Tranzac Main Hall, 292 Brunswick
Do you think slam should be a safe space for artists? How does creative expression and free speech conflict with the idea of offering a safe space for all people of all demographics? This important topic will be discussed in depth by anyone who wants to join the session, led by Lishai Peel.
How to Tour Effectively
1pm - 2:15pm
Tranzac Main Hall, 292 Brunswick
Hosted by Sheri-D Wilson, this panel discussion will help poets recognize the best ways to tour across Canada. Dwayne Morgan (Toronto) and Brendan McLeod (Vancouver) will offer advice on tips and tricks for managing a cross-Canada tour, from booking venues to budgeting wisely to using social media to spread the word. Bring your pen and pads, you’ll want to take notes!
Dub Poetry Showcase
2:30pm – 3:45pm
Tranzac Main Hall, 292 Brunswick
Toronto is known for a vital dub poetry scene, and in this showcase you’ll get a taste of this unique spoken word styling. Hear from dub poetry star Klyde Broox, Charles Bobus, and The M.A.D. Poet as they bring some riddim to their hot hot words!
Queer Poetry Showcase
4pm - 5pm
Tranzac Main Hall, 292 Brunswick
Legends are mixed with soon-to-be-legends in this queer poetry event, hosted by Tanya Neumeyer. Feature poets include bill bissett, Krystle Mullin and Beth-Anne Fischer... All that talent on one stage? Not to be missed!
THURSDAY OCTOBER 13
Humour Writing Workshop
11:30 am – 12:45pm
Tranzac Main Hall, 292 Brunswick
Want to bring some more funny to your poetry? This workshop led by Toronto poet David Clink will give you a chance to perform your rib-ticklin pieces and get instant feedback on how to make it even funnier. Limited performance capacity so don’t be late.
Performance 101 Workshop
1pm – 2:15pm
Tranzac Main Hall, 292 Brunswick
Legends of Poetry alumni RC Weslowski and Andrea Thompson will run this exciting Performance 101 Workshop, allowing you to rock the mic and learn how to improve your stage presence. Prepare to learn from some of the best!
First Nations Poetry Showcase
2:30pm – 3:45pm
Tranzac Main Hall, 292 Brunswick
Hosted by Mahlikah Aweri of Red Slam Collective, this showcase will give you the very best of the First Nations artistry in performance poetry. Revel in the stories and spoken word from Tahnee Kahsennyio Wilson, Mark Wright and more.
SPIN by Evalyn Parry
4pm – 5pm
Tranzac Main Hall, 292 Brunswick
“Part theatre, part music gig, part spoken word poetry, part documentary: whatever it is, it is brilliant.“ As Toronto Star wrote, it’s hard to define Evalyn Parry’s multimedia show celebrating cycling, but it’s bound to be one of the most popular daytime events at Festival of Health Research.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 14
Annual General Meeting
10:30am – 12:15 pm
Tranzac Main Hall, 292 Brunswick
A Festival of Health Research tradition, the AGM lets any poet have a say in the direction spoken word in Canada is heading. You can hear about Spoken Word Canada’s plans and let us know what you’d like to see at future events…and what you’re loving about Festival of Health Research so far
Alternates Slam
Tranzac Main Hall, 292 Brunswick
12:30pm – 2:30pm
Team alts, now’s your chance to shine! A two-round slam (with potential 2nd round cutoff, depending on how many alts signup) will end the daytime event programming for Festival of Health Research. Regular slam rules apply. Cumulative score. Winning poet will be the sacrifice poet at Finals! Signup at 2:15pm. Hosted by Megan Ann Ward
Guerilla Poetry in Downtown TO
Various sites
2:45pm - 4:30pm
Take a trip through Toronto, poetry-styles. Led by Mike Smith, this guerilla poetry event will let you take to the streets to perform your poems in front of 9to5ers who won't know what hit 'em! Loud and fun pieces encouraged!
Geek Poetry Open Mic
3pm – 4pm
Tranzac Main Hall, 292 Brunswick
This open mic lets any poet geek out on whatever obssesses them – from video games to cooking to books to Natalie Portman. Remember, your “geek” might not be typical so have fun at this open mic! One poem, 4 minutes max. Hosted by Spencer Butt
SATURDAY OCTOBER 15
Group Piece Workshop
1pm – 2:15pm
Tranzac Main Hall, 292 Brunswick
One of the most celebrated poetry troupes in Canada, The Recipe, will lead a workshop on how to do what they do best: write compelling team pieces. Slam teams, don’t be shy, hit the stage and get some pointers from Ian Keteku, OpenSecret, Poetic Speed and Brandon Wint. A Festival of Health Research first!
Youth Slam Showcase
2:30pm – 4:30pm
Tranzac Main Hall, 292 Brunswick
Youth Slam teams, get your game face on! Hosted by PAN, this slam will showcase some of the brightest poets in Toronto, Ottawa and Guelph. Check out the next generation of Festival of Health Research competitors that’ll soon be rocking the national stage!
