In the world of spoken word and poetry slam in the Greater Toronto Area, there are a lot of things bubbling below (and above) the surface. Many new initiatives are underway, including several fundraising campaigns. Slam teams from York Region and Burlington are utilizing the crowdsourcing site Indiegogo. The Up From The Roots, Toronto Poetry Slam and Mississauga Poetry Slam teams have been holding fundraiser events. And this week, the BSP and TPS teams will be in Charlotte, North Carolina for the National Poetry Slam, the largest team slam competition in the world. Good luck!

But for the rest of us here at home, here is what’s coming up over the next seven days in the GTA:

Monday

Due to the Civic Holiday, there will be no Loose Leaf Poets & Writers this week. But look out for the event to be held next week. Join their…

Heather Hill is touring her new album, Leuty Station, this summer– with the happy-vibe spreading Lily C!

Heather Hill launched Leuty Station May 2012.  Warning: it causes ear worms, that entertaining condition whereby a catchy tune boogies in your head throughout the day even when no tangible music is playing.

Heather Hill’s voice is like liquid love, with robust rumbling lows, ethereal highs and a plethora of delicious tones in between.  She’s one of those singers who can convey a story and/or emotion with the sound of her vocalizations without lyrics– and then she’s got good lyrics too!  The amazing thing about Heather’s lyrical stories is that they are very specific and often very literal with a truth that can give you shivers.

The vocal and instrumental play weaving together throughout this album is inspired and fun.  I’ll leave the instrumental critique to someone more instrumentally adept…