Lizzie Violet

It’s pretty obvious to me that people are now fully in the swing of the new year. Even as the weather remains unpredictable and decidedly un-typical-winter-like, the temperature has been gradually building in the spoken word and poetry slam community of the Greater Toronto Area. It all comes to a head this weekend in an explosion of poetry events rarely seen around these parts in a 72-hour period. But before that happens there are a plethora of quality performances and open mic opportunities for you to sink your teeth into this week. Here’s what’s on the radar over the upcoming seven days:

Monday

The crew at R.I.S.E. Poetry host their weekly open mic event at Tropicana Community Services (670 Progress Ave. near McCowan) from 6:30-9:30pm. All poets, singers and MCs looking for someplace to share work need look no further! Admission is $3 at the door.

Meanwhile in south…