A Synapsis of Poetry: June 4-10, 2012

Poetry lovers! As another week rears its head and attempts to shake us out of our complacency, the world of words awaits with some tasty offerings of the literary kind. There are a few options for people looking for their poetry fix over the next seven days. Let’s lay them out now, shall we?

Monday

The deadline for submissions for 78 Poems in 78 Hours Against Bill 78 is 6am ET. If you haven’t heard about this initiative then read the Cytopoetics Events blog entry from Friday and then put together your poems! You can read previously posted work by visiting the Poesie 78 Blog.

The Rowers Pub Reading Series at the Harbord House (150 Harbord St.) offers the poetry of Glen Downie, Matt Lennox and Ruth Roach Pierson to lovers of the word at the final show of their season. Come by for the show, which begins at 7:30pm, to take in the featured writers. Admission is free.

Tuesday

Canada’s longest-running poetry-only series, Art Bar, presents Glen Downie, David Day, Pier Giorgio Di Cicco and Michael Fraser inside Pauper’s Pub (539 Bloor St. W. at Bathurst). Bring your notebook if you’d like to read on the open mic. Showtime is 8pm. Admission is free, but the hat (or pitcher) will be passed around.

Wednesday

The good people of Rhymes & Reasons Spoken Word Poetry present BuukofRhymes p.III at York University (Founders College room 118). This open mic event has a theme of self/identity. Poets are encouraged to bring original work based on the theme (and friends) to the event. $1 at the door. Showtime is 5:30-7:30pm.

Sunday

Sunday Poetry at Ellington’s has its weekly gathering inside Ellington’s (805 St. Clair Ave. W. near Oakwood) from 11:30am to 2:30pm. All are welcome to bring their poems and share them on the open mic. Featured performers to be announced so check them out on Facebook for more details. Admission is, as always, free.

The Toronto Poetry Project presents Toronto Poetry Slam’s Annual Story Slam featuring Chris Masson and hosted by Valentino Assenza at the Drake Underground (1150 Queen St. W.). Slammers will have 4 minutes to recite their stories from memory in this special two-round slam. There is also an open mic. Doors 7pm, teller sign-up 7:30 and showtime at 8pm. $5 at the door. All ages.

There’s a healthy mix of options out there for poetry lovers in Greater Toronto this week. Engage yourself in the spirit and drink in as much as you possibly can. Let’s keep the poetry poppin’!