Will anyone turn on the heat please? The coldest winter season that was notably colder than the past two decades is about to end peacefully in this month. No doubt, it is the supposed to be good timing of ending the season because the poetic words being spoken by GTA spoken word community will surely augment your overall temperature.
This year is going to mark new milestones because a newly opened mic series is getting off the ground. There will be shows of sounds and words. Although, this year, there would also be numerous sparring rounds that uphold the true sensations of life. Hence must not forget to check these events.
HOT TICKETS
THE FRENCH-AKPATA CONNEXION / MARCH 8 / 7:30PM / ELLINGTON’S MUSIC AND CAFE / $5-$15
Ottawa provocateur John Akpata and Whitney French are going to hold a meeting of minds and ideas. Both of these champions will share their notable poetic contribution, stories and music will all the participants and this evening will undoubtedly an unforgettable event for all and sundry.
TORONTO POETRY SLAM SEMIFINALS / MARCH 9 FT. KAIT ROKOWSKI AND MARCH 21 FT. AARON SIMM / 8PM / DRAKE HOTEL UNDERGROUND / $5
The top 16 outstanding poets have been declared as semifinalists for their impressive performance. The finalist team – which is supposed to be declared in April-, will be having the opportunity to defend national slam championship at the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word in Victoria this fall. Both shows feature impressive and talent poets and the first features Minnesota’s own Kait Rokowski is worth mentioning here. Besides, the Toronto audience may not be ready for the second semi finalist Winnipeg wordslinger Aaron Simm.
POET PSYCHOLOGY CD LAUNCH / MARCH 14 / 9PM / AMSTERDAM BICYCLE CLUB / PAY WHAT YOU WANT
2012 national slam champion Ritallin is going to release thirds and perhaps final volume of his Poet Psychology project. His poems in this CD can be set to all kinds of music. It is said that Peterborough based reggae group Dub Trinity, t Music Award winning hip-hop MC Spesh K and newly signed R&B artist Pluto will join Ritallin onstage for marking the evening of music and poetry as impeccable.
SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO SPOKEN WORD CIRCUIT PRESENTS JEREMY LOVEDAY / MARCH 19, 20 & 26
The SOSWC is the consortium of groups holding different spoken word events in Guelph, London, Burlington, York Region, Hamilton and Toronto. Thanks to Canadian Council for arts for bringing such a meaningful programs for us. Besides it has given us immense pleasure to see hi profile artists in the country. The Circuit will also host the two-time Victoria slam champion and #MenLetsTalk advocate Jeremy Love day. He also performs at Burlington Slam Project (March 20) and YorkSlam (March 26).
THE LAST POET STANDING / MARCH 30 / 7PM / THE GREAT HALL / $20 ADV; $25 DOOR
The third annual edition of The Last Poet Standing has been Hosted and produced by Dwayne Morgan, and, it is going to be a remarkable event. In this event Artists will be set to go head-to-head in a single elimination spoken word tournament. The winner will walk away with $500 cash prize. Besides, Dagmar Morgan is also one of the 16 contenders who are supposed to be champion of champions.