About

Cytopoetics is a different kind of company. Based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, it was founded by Greg Frankson in August 2007 in Ottawa with a unique mission – to provide innovative creative services to business, education and community using the power of the arts, and through spoken word poetry in particular. Since its founding, Cytopoetics has successfully engaged people both young and old on three continents in its stated desire to present the vision that inspires others to positively change the world.

Its events division, headed by Events Manager Rajie Kabli, is currently engaged in three initiatives:

Bill Brown’s 1-2-3 Slam Toronto – Canada’s only monthly slam poetry series in the 1-2-3 format, poets at BB123 Slam compete with 1-minute, 2-minute and 3-minute pieces in successive rounds. The winner of the final round claims a cash prize. This series was originally located in Ottawa, where it ran successfully for two seasons, before restarting in Toronto in January 2012. The show takes place at 8 pm on the third Wednesday of every month at Waterfalls Indian Tapas Bar & Grill in Kensington Market.

YorkSlam – This monthly slam series is held on the fourth Wednesday of every month is the first of its kind in York Region. Held at Jake’s on Main Bar & Grille in Historic Unionville, YorkSlam will become the newest member of the Spoken Word Canada family later this year and will apply to send a team to the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in October 2012. The series is sponsored by the Markham Arts Council.

SLAMtario – In partnership with Open Minds Respect Events, Cytopoetics is co-sponsoring a brand new provincial slam championship tournament to be held for the first time in summer 2012. The two-day event will bring together slammers from across Ontario (both youth and senior level teams) for bragging rights and a cash prize. SLAMtario will be held in Toronto.