The 3rd International Festival of Poetry and Resistance (IFPOR) is in honour of oppressed people everywhere. In 2009, it focused on freedom for the Cuban Five and in 2010, on self-determination of peoples. 

IFPOR views poetry as, yes, a source of delight, but, also, as a weapon for liberation as it was used by the great poets of the past such as Nazim Hikmet, Pablo Neruda, Ho Chi Minh, Jose Marti, Vladimir Mayakovsky and so many others around the world.

A complete programme and various locations for the three-day event can be found here.

As a lead-up to Pride Toronto, the Winchevsky Centre will host a unique evening of music, poetry and schmoozing among the Queer, Jewish and Queer-Jewish communities. All are welcome to attend.

The evening will feature readings and performances by prominent poets and activists within Toronto's Queer, Jewish, and Queer-Jewish communities. Poetry reading and talk by Avi Zer-Aviv about the role of queer spirituality in remaking our world. Jacquie Buncel will read poems from her new book, Turning the Corner at Dusk, about the intersection of being Jewish, a child of Holocaust survivors, lesbian, and a mother. Lois Fine and her daughter Sadie Epstein-Fine will perform original songs by Lois interspersed with her poetry.

Cabaret anarchiste -- gratuit!

Soirée micro ouvert -- poésie, performances, musique, bière, vin, bouffe! Amenez vos textes!
Les profits iront à financer la toute première anthologie de fiction anarchiste .
Par le Bloc des auteurs anarchistes, Montreal
(10 décembre 1896 : la pièce Ubu roi est présentée en ouverture à Paris, causant une émeute)

Nous acceptons les soumissions pour le recueil jusqu'a Noel.

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Christa Bell is a writer, poet, spoken word artist, and cultural activist from Seattle, Washington who received her BA in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University, has studied in Europe and lived in east Africa. She writes, performs and curates arts events throughout the Northwest, where she is also a competitive performance poet and founder of the Healing Is A Political Act (HIAPA) Creative Recovery Workshop Series.

This will be the competition that decides who will be representing Vancouver and Canada at the Women of the World Poetry Slam in Columbus Ohio March 10th-13th.

"Laura Yes Yes is a litre of amazing and a kilowatt of wonderful. She has been known to rep Northern California in its East Bay and San Franciscan forms, both at the National Poetry Slam and at the Individual World Poetry Slam. But now, to be fair, let's think of her as a total nomad with wandering heart and feet, an unexpected mercenary who laughs her victims into stupor."

This the only "qualifying" slam for January so if you're looking to make the team/playoffs then you should be coming out and this is the last chance for women who want to qualify for the Wowps playoffs to garner points towards that playoff the next week.

Doors and Signup are at 8:00 PM
Open Mic is at 8:45 PM
The Slam starts at 9:00 PM

Every month Brave New Words hosts an event at Baked Cafe where featured musicians and writers exhibit their work. Also, there is an open microphone for members of the audience/community to come up and share their poetry, stories & songs. Brave New Words believes in a non-judgemental and welcoming atmosphere. This attitude encourages first-time presenting artists to share. This month David Clunies-Ross is our featured musician and Erling Friis-Baastad will follow with a reading of new writings. A HUGE thanks to our local sponsors this month: MAP Communications, Integrated Solutions Group, Norman Heller, John Steins and UNITECH.

The Rowers Pub Reading Series is celebrating the Tightrope collection of best Canadian English poetry. Poets John Reibetanz, Karen Solie, Ricardo Sternberg and John Terpstra present pieces from their most recent collections.

Brave New Words is a non-profit artists network dedicated to giving established and emerging artists' opportunities to showcase new work. We have already done over 20 shows with 20 differenct musical guests and have featured over 17 different emerging graphic designers. Every month Brave New Words hosts an event at Baked Cafe where featured musicians and writers exhibit their work. Also, there is an open microphone for members of the audience/community to come up and share their poetry, stories & songs. Brave New Words believes in a non-judgemental and welcoming atmosphere. This attitude encourages first-time presenting artists to share.

An HUGE thanks to our local sponsors this month: MAP Communications, SOMA bodyworks and UNITECH.

The A B Series in association with Kevin Matthews presents four acclaimed Australian poets/spoken word artists on The National Arts Centre's Fourth Stage. They are Alicia Sometimes, Emilie Zoey Baker, Justin Ashworth and Sean M Whelan, each of whom hails from UNESCO's recently announced City of Literature, Melbourne, Australia.