Lizzie Violet’s June Noir officially kicked off summer with a night of sizzling poets, musicians, & burlesque to a packed and eager audience. First feature Ellie Anderson stepped out from behind her guitar with a warm set of poems. She openly shares her struggles with fame, body image & sexuality without letting politics or anger get in the way. At times playful: ‘I would find June in the middle of winter’ –  at times ironic ‘I would sell my integrity at half price to those who can raise me to the right hight’ – at times heartbreaking ‘on the day I met you it snowed – I didn’t know till then how could love could be.’

Next up was Blue Venus – traffic delays didn’t faze them. Andrea, with guitarist Jessica Stuart, did a fine summery set of original work. Their sound is refreshing without losing emotional impact…

Lizzie Violet hosted anther sensation Cabaret Noir at Q Space. A perfect high-octane Mother(F**ker)s Day with stomping sets by Cathy, Vanessa & Kirsten. I made sure I got into the first set of open stagers before the features pulverized the audience. I’ve heard them all before but am always happy to hear them again & again.

With open stagers from Chicago, audience from Australia, Noir has in three short months made its presence felt. The show kicked off with a rocking short set by Nelson Sobral. His Missile song had me thinking of Delta Bravo. I did three of the April pieces, including Golden Days (because it is about my mother).

First feature Vanessa McGowan did an amazing, emotionally raw set. She digs deep into her personal history without flinching. Her direct delivery was pitch-perfect in frankness, never strident and peppered with songs sung with a tenderness one…

Moving right along … the cold winter and the unnaturally cool spring have finally yielded to patios, sunshine and many other unmistakable indications that summer, finally, is just around the corner. In some ways, it makes us want to break out and be in nature. But truly, what could be more natural for the beautiful, educated and intriguing humans you must be than checking out Toronto’s spoken word and poetry slam scene? After all, you’re reading this blog, which puts you among the best informed participants in the local arts scene. Why should I keep you a moment longer from finding out what you need to know for this week, you ask? Well, I shouldn’t! So here it is:

Monday

The Mississauga Arts Council presents the Rebel Talent Show where youth will showcase their talent in support of positive mental health. The show is at the Noel Ryan Auditorium 

Guess what! We are partnering up again with Mississauga Arts Council for another showcase at Celebration Square Amphitheatre! Happening Wednesday August 14, 2013, Wonder Fest-West will showcase original work of Wonder Women AND Super Men artists of all media and genres from visual arts, music, comedy and spoken word! Submissions being accepted until June 30, 2013!

Rogers Access Peel coverage on last summer’s Amphitheatre event can be seen by clicking here! Yes here! Click here!

Lots of awesomeness coming up for the months of May and June!!!  Here are just a couple to wet your literary whistle!   These are three shows I’m part of and two publications my poems will be in.  I will be announcing features soon!

SHOWS!

May 1

The WordSpell Collective, in conjunction with Cytopoetics, presents the May edition of WordSpell showcase and open mic. The series brings together talented established and emerging female spoken word artists.

We are back with our bi-monthly showcase that features some of the hottest female voices in spoken word.

We select our features from within Toronto because this city has deep pockets of talent! Come hang out with your poetry fam at the fourth show of the season featuring the wonderfully talented voices of Sheniz Janmohamed and beluga!

About the poets:

SHENIZ JANMOHAMED has performed at over a hundred events, including the TedXYouth Conference in Toronto…

Lizzie Violet hosted another Cabaret Noir packed house. Q Space has done a bit of spring renovating – shifting the books shelves into the back space which makes for a warmer sound for the performers and gives the shows more of salon feeling.

After some excellent open stagers (including me) first feature Brandon Pitts, did a dynamic set. He has a great physical sense of the stage – stepping on & off it, crouching, standing tall, reaching out – all fitted carefully but naturally into the flow of his words. His writing is verbally rich with religious and pop images that rush to give momentary pictures and scenes ‘the veil that touched your hand as you reached for the cross,’ ‘a number tattooed on his chest as an ISP,’ ‘the customized Bible delivered with a rifle.’

After a break we were treated to Canadian rock troubadour Nelson Sobral…