2006 Festival Events

The 2006 Calgary International Spoken Word Festival will encompass eight events, including the return of the hugely popular Big Bang Poetry & Music and a Hip-Hop Poetry Workshop.  This year, the CISWF is thrilled to celebrate queer Canadian artists with Queer Conscience and to team up with Bravo!FACT for a screening of Canada’s best VideoPoems.  The focus on community has grown, with two opportunities for emerging poets to take the stage: the Open Mic and the Calgary Poetry Slam.

With eight events, a workshop, a blog and over thirty Canadian artists, the CISWF is larger and more explosive than ever, so prepare to have your minds blown in the sweetest of possible ways!

Event #1:The Road To Paradise
                               (more info)
Presented by Industrial Opera Company,
WordFest: Banff-Calgary International Writers Festival and
the EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts

Tuesday, April 25 – Reception 7:00 pm, Performance 7:30 pm
Jack Singer Concert Hall Lobby, EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts

Price: FREE

Christian Bök (Calgary)
Michelle Biden (Regina)
Shane Koyczan (Vancouver)
Robin Poitras (Regina)
Donald Stein (Regina)

Event #2:Open Minds: Coach House & Snare Book Launch with Open Mic
                                (more info) (Pictures)
Wednesday, April 26 – 8:00 pm
Beat Niq Jazz & Social Club – 811 1 St SW (downstairs)
Price: $5, includes a discount on Coach House book purchases

MC: Paul Kennett (Calgary)

Jason Christie (Calgary)
Jon Paul Fiorentino (Montreal)
Angela Rawlings (Toronto)

Event #3:Calgary Poetry Slam!
                       (more info) (Pictures)
Thursday, April 27 – 8:00 pm
Auburn Saloon – #163 115 9 Ave SE (base of the Calgary Tower)
Price: $5

SLAM-MASTERS:
Mark Hopkins (Calgary)
sheri-d wilson (Calgary)

Event #4:Queer Conscience
                      (more info) (Pictures)
Friday, April 28 – 8:00 pm
Auburn Saloon – #163 115 9 Ave SE (base of the Calgary Tower)
Price: $10

MC: Chantal Vitalis (Calgary)

bill bissett (Toronto)
Ivan E. Coyote (Vancouver)
Suzette Mayr (Calgary)
Billeh Nickerson (Vancouver)
Gregory Scofield (Calgary)
Shone Abet (Calgary)
Dale Lee Kwong (Calgary)

Event #5:Bravo!FACT Video/Poems
                         (more info) (Pictures)
Saturday, April 29 – 11:00 am
Glenbow Museum – 130 9 Ave SE
Price: $10

George Bowering
Al Purdy
Gord Downie
Michael Ondaatje
Robert Priest
Kinnie Starr
Lynn Crosbie
Sheri-D Wilson

Event #6:Oral Traditions & Exhibitions
                                (more info) (Pictures)
Saturday, April 29 – 1:00 pm
Glenbow Museum – 130 9 Ave SE
Price: $10

MC: Allan Boss (Calgary)

bill bissett (Toronto)
George Bowering (Vancouver)
Ivan E. Coyote (Vancouver)
Catherine Kidd (Montreal)
Robert Priest (Toronto)

Event #7:Big Bang Poetry & Music
                           (more info) (Pictures)
Saturday, April 29 – 8:00 pm
Auburn Saloon – #163 115 9 Ave SE (base of the Calgary Tower)
Price: $15

MC: Billeh Nickerson (Vancouver)

George Bowering (Vancouver)
T Crane (Calgary / Vancouver)
Catherine Kidd (Montreal)
Motion (Toronto)
Robert Priest (Toronto)
Shane Koyczan (Vancouver)

Event #8:Champagne & Jalapeños
                          (more info) (Pictures)
Sunday, April 30 – 2:00 pm
Art Gallery of Calgary – 117 8 Ave SW
Price: $10

MC: Harry Vandervlist (Calgary)

Christian Bök (Calgary)
Xstine Cook (Calgary)
Emily Elder (Vancouver)
Sean McGarragle (Vancouver)
Motion (Toronto)

WORKSHOP:Floetry Poetry Hip-Hop Workshop w/ Wakefield Brewster
                                (more info)
Saturday, April 29 – 1:00 to 5:00 pm
Motel, EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts
Price: $50

Wakefield Brewster (Calgary)

ONLINE Blog:Blog-Blog-Blog w/ T.L. Cowan
                                (more info)

T.L. Cowan (Edmonton/Vancouver)

www.calgaryspokenwordfestival.com/blog