spoken word

Voices of Venus ft Abby Paige

Written
by
Katie
on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
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It’s that time of the month again. :-D
This February, heat up the cold with a fabulous feature performance from new-to-Ottawa poet, playwrite, and performer Abby Paige.

As always, our two-hour show includes an all-women open mic (feature YOU, so bring your favourites and your new experiments to our stage – open mic performers get in free).

Here’s a little bit about Abby to whet your appetite:
Most recently, she’s been published in Bywords Quarterly, Arc poetry magazine, and the Montreal Review of Books. Her solo show, Piecework: When We Were French, has toured in New England and Quebec.

You can learn more by visiting http://www.abbypaige.com/

See you on the 8th! :-D

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Strength in diversity: Ottawa’s first-ever women’s poetry slam a rousing success

Written
by
apartment613
on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
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Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Review by Averie MacDonald. Pictures by Joel Eastwood

To call it “girl power” wouldn’t really do it justice.

But there was definitely something powerful hanging in the atmosphere last Saturday night at Ottawa’s first Women’s Slam Championship.

To be sure, it was a night about women. The line-up featured a handpicked selection of Ottawa’s finest female poets. The poetry was full of empowering messages passed from sister to sister. Even the music fit the theme — DJ Prufrock spun an all-girl soundtrack featuring legends like Lauryn Hill.

But the slam went beyond a campy, Spice Girl-esque notion of female solidarity.

It was more about the poetic community women have helped shape here in Ottawa: a vibrant and diverse scene that puts our city on the map in Canadian spoken word.

Click to continue reading “Strength in diversity: Ottawa’s first-ever women’s poetry slam a rousing success”

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Once Upon a Slam

Written
by
Katie
on Saturday, January 21, 2012
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The next Once Upon A Slam is on Friday, January 27th at the Mercury Lounge. Doors open and slam sign up at 6:45, show at 7:15 PM, $8 cover, free for slammers.
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OST Partner Once Upon A Slam is pleased to have Luna Allison as our feature for January. Luna was to perform for us last May, but a bike accident meant postponing. She is hale and hearty now and is ready to debut a set of stories called ‘Girl Fail.’ What happens when you don’t fit into society’s notions of how a girl/woman should look, behave, and think? Join us for a set exploring what it means to not live up to expectations. Lego for girls? Ha!
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Luna Allison is a spoken word artist, poet, writer, journalist and storyteller based in Ottawa. Her work ranges from jazz-infused musical poetry to playwriting but Luna has always been a lover of storytelling. Her storytelling theatre piece ‘FallingOpen’, an exploration of the impact of sexual abuse, is part of the Undercurrents theatre festival February 7 – 19th.
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As usual, in addition to the feature, we have the actual story slam. There are 8 spots open for slammers who each get 5 minutes to tell (not read!) their story. The 5 judges, who are randomly selected from the audience, will score each story and the highest score wins.

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New Year, New Beginnings… laying Fresh Tracks

Written
by
Katie
on Saturday, January 21, 2012
.

In association with Carleton Native Student’s Association,
Fresh Tracks presents:
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An all ages night of Indigenous Hip Hop, Folk Music, Spoken Word, and some very special guests and surprises.
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It’s time to celebrate all that we are as Aboriginal, Indigenous, First Nations, Metis, and Inuit. We are laying some fresh tracks in 2012 and welcome all of you to come join us for a night that will leave you inspired and wanting more.
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Open Mic: 7pm. Sign-up at 6:30 for the first 5 performers.
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Performers include:
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Sandy Scofield, Metis award winning recording artist
Lisa Marie Naponse, local Anishnaabe musician, part time hero
MO Inukhiphop, Inuit artic games hip hop champion
Hyf the Gypsy Sun and Prufrock, local dynamic hip hop heavy weights
and holding down the beats local DJ Vinyl Justice.
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Special Guests:
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Jason Chamakese and Robert Gladue will be bringing their traditional flute and hand drum to serenade and stoke those embers on this cold winter’s night and get you ready for the Round Dance on January 28 at the Raven’s Nest.
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Anishnaabe Nookimisag Skit by
Geraldine King and Danielle Morrison
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Stan Wesley will be the master of ceremonies for the evening and you know what that means!
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Sliding scale 5-10 bucks will get you in. Although, no one will be turned away due to lack of funds. Bring your friends, family, and your love and appreciation for our local Aboriginal artists!!
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Partial proceeds will go to Circle of Nations, Attawapiskat Housing Crisis Fund, and honourariums for performers.

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Weekend roundup: What to do in O-town

Written
by
Karen
on Thursday, January 19, 2012
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Photo courtesy Mikey G Ottawa on Flickr.

As you’ll see from the listings below, the city has woken up from its post-holiday hibernation and has thrown itself into full-fledged winter fun mode. On the schedule for this weekend? Dog sled rides in Gatineau, a Winter Bike Parade, and likely a few snowball fights.

Kalle Mattson plays tonight, bringing some indie rock to the stage at Mavericks. If you’re hoping to indulge in some dance-y tunes, head to Club Saw this evening for Anamanguchi. There will be DJ stylings down at St Brigid’s Friday, with Electric Church Party set to have you dancing in the pews. Spins and Needles is back for 2012, kicking off the year with calendars and resolutions all set to be crafted. Timekode is back, too, after a rockin’ New Year’s party, while there’s the Winterfest Jump-Off Showcase at Ritual that same night, featuring Moka Only and Ottawa’s own Philly Moves. In what might be the saddest show name ever, SoulJazz Orchestra is putting on a ‘Goodbye Canada’ show before hitting the road for a few months, so get your fix while you can. Saturday you can also head to the Raw for Pitch Black, or catch the Daft Punk Tribute Band at Ritual.

This weekend in beer, it’s the Gatineau Festibière d’hiver, featuring all sorts of Quebec-centric brews. Head across the bridge to the Chateau Cartier for the ice bar, bonfires and more. For you sports fans out there, Ottawa’s roller derby Vixens take on Rochester’s Roc Stars in a bout that will epitomize the bitter rivalries between our two countries.

We’re sending out special birthday greetings to our friends over at Venus Envy, who are celebrating their 11th year down at Babylon. Who wouldn’t want to go to a party entitled Buns of Steel? 

Click to continue reading “Weekend roundup: What to do in O-town”

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CAT KIDD & KAIE KELLOUGH at Gallery 101

Written
by
diane
on Wednesday, January 11, 2012
.

More info: ABSERIES.ORG

 

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Women’s Slam Championships

Written
by
Katie
on Sunday, January 8, 2012
.

Arts Court, 2 Daly Ave, Ottawa
7:00: cover $8
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January 28th, 2012 will see Ottawa’s first ever Women’s Slam Championship!
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12 of the top names chosen from throughout the history of slam in Ottawa will come together at Arts Court to find out who will take the title of the first ever Ottawa Women’s Slam Champion! The top 4 poets will also be given a feature spot at the 2012 edition of VERSeFest, Ottawa’s Poetry Festival!
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The event will be lovingly hosted by Ruthanne Edward, and will feature sacrificial poet Mia Morgan.
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The 12 poets taking part will be (where there are links, click for previews: you won’t regret it!):
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CauseMo
Danielle K.L. Gregoire
D’Lightfull
Elissa Molino
Elle P
Festrell
Jenna Tenn-Yuk
Rage
Sarah Musa
Scotch
Sepideh
Stargazer
.

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Poetry for the End of the World

Written
by
Katie
on Thursday, January 5, 2012
.

Featuring live music with Call me Katie and Puggy Hammer, poetry readings, and open mike (and launching a poem to the end of the world!)
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Tickets: $8
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VERSe Ottawa cordially invites you to join us to celebrate the arrival of 2012 (isn’t the world supposed to end?) as we listen to great poets and musicians, dance, drink, and raise funds to support Ottawa’s newest literary festival.
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Performance Lineup ( and signup for the open mike)
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Come for one, come for some, come for all – you can watch or perform in the Theatre, or have a drink, socialize and buy books in the Studio. We’ll open the doors at 7:00 for a performance by folk/bluegrass trio Call Me Katie, and follow that with short open mike segments and featured readers. Sign up here for the open mike – due to time constraints the list will be pre-determined.
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We’ll crown the winner of our “Poetry For The End Of The World” contest – and then we’ll send the winning poem off to the end of the earth. Literally. (Details to follow – keep an eye on VERSe Ottawa to find out!) We’ll close the evening starting at about 10:00 with Montreal indie band Puggy Hammer (featuring last year’s VERSeFest guest David McGimpsey, poet Jason Camlot, and Matt Rosenberg.)
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Poetry Contest: Submit your work!
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We’d also like to invite you to submit your own work to the “Poetry For The End Of The World” contest. Write on the theme of the end of the world (however you see it) and submit here before January 7th, 2012. Judging is blind: the winning poem will be officially “sent to the End of the World” at the party on the 21st.

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The Dusty Owl presents Brandon Wint

Written
by
Katie
on Thursday, January 5, 2012
.

Sunday, January 15th, 3:00 PM The Elmdale House, 1084 Wellington St. W The Dusty Owl Reading Series kicks off 2012 with the warm, soothing voice of Ottawa’s own Brandon Wint. Since arriving in Ottawa in 2006 from his home town of Vaughan, Ontario, Brandon has impressed and captivated audiences across Canada with his heartfelt and thoughtful style of poetry. Brandon is perhaps best known for his work with award winning poetry troupe The Recipe (Brandon Wint, Komi Olafimihan, OpenSecret and Ian Keteku) and for being a member of the last two teams to place first at the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word. After the feature, there will be the ever-welcoming and friendly Dusty Owl Open Mike, where you can share your own poetry, stories, songs and tales. For more information visit www.dustyowl.com or brandonwint.com.

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A House Divided: Stories and Songs of the American Civil War

Written
by
Katie
on Thursday, January 5, 2012
.

The American Civil War is one of the most talked about conflicts in modern history. With slavery, nationalism, and changing economics at its core, this war saw brother fighting brother. Tonight, we hear stories from both perspectives – North and South, framed with the stirring songs that were sung by soldiers and those who waited for them back home.

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