Poetry Month

Every April, Poetry Month Oakville celebrates all things poetic with a variety of events for poets and lovers of poetry held throughout Oakville.

Events include readings by outstanding poets, open mic opportunities for the public, workshops for poets, events integrating the arts, readings for seniors and in-school events for youth. Keep checking back for updates!

OBJECTIONABLE TOPICS SUCH AS SUPPORT FOR RACISM, MISOGYNY OR HOMOPHOBIA WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

_____________________________________

Unless otherwise stated

to register to read at any event send an email to

Elka Ruth Enola, Coordinator

ere@bell.net

Most of us learn form poetry before we even know what form is: nursery rhymes, limericks, hymns, campfire songs, jump-rope songs, sports cheers.

Many children now write haiku and cinquaine poems in school. Great poems have long been form-poems – yet the 20th century saw an explosion of free verse (which, even in its freedom, uses formal elements of language and rhythm).

In this workshop, we will look at various aspects of formal poetry (rhyme, rhythm, number of lines, pattern, etc.) and explore the ways form can enhance and embody the meaning of a poem.

W.B. Yeats wrote that “poetry is meaning in a cage of form” – and I think he did not mean a prison, but rather, a container that can hold pain, joy, wonder.

We will be writing some poems during the workshop, so bring a journal and pen. Also, bring a favourite poem in form – any form, any kind of poem.

Ellen’s books include Writing Your Way: Creating a Personal Journal; Water Children (poetry); Feast of Lights: a young adult novel. She is a finalist in the Winston Collins/Descant contest for “best Canadian poem 2011,” and has taught poetry in many settings, including previous workshops for Oakville’s National Poetry Month.

Just be sure to let me know ahead of time so that we can have the appropriate spaces reserved.

Poems relating to the environment, human rights, war and peace, social equality etc are appropriate topics.

This will be a discussion, not a debate. It will be an exploration of the future of the printed word from a variety of perspectives. Audience particiapation will be welcome.

Just be sure to let me know ahead of time so that we can have the appropriate spaces reserved.

Norman Brown, a retired teacher, has interests in Photography, Poetry, and amateur theatre. Born and raised in Niagara Falls Ontario, Norm spent the majority of his teaching career in Pembroke, Ontario before moving to Hamilton five years ago. He holds a Master's degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also attemded University of Toronto [Faculty of Education], York University (Toronto), University of Ottawa [Special Education], and the University of Central England [Fine Arts: Photography].

With the title "Road Kill and Carbines; Burping your inner poet", you know this won't be a run of the mill workshop.

Just be sure to let me know ahead of time so that we can have the appropriate spaces reserved.

Oakville has a rich tapestry of people with many different cultural roots. We hope to be able to present a broad sampling of many different backgrounds.

Poems relating to life in other cultures or to Canadian culture(s) are appropriate. It can be as a tourist or an immigrant or as a Canadian with roots in other cultures.

The term 'culture' will be broadly interpreted, so for example, there is the culture of the rich and the culture of the poor. There are also religious and secular cultures.

There will also be in-school events for students as well as special programs in Residences for Seniors.

You can also ask to be put on the Poetry Emailing list for advance notice of all poetry events.

Oakville Literary Alliance
Home Poetry Month - April Literary Cafe Contests Event Calendar		"The sun and stars that float in the open air....the appleshaped earth and we upon it ....surely the drift of them is something grand; I do not know what it is except that it is grand, and that it is happiness,...." Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass
Become an OPA Member		Poetry Month Oakville
LOCAL POETRY GROUPS Pelicans The Inkwell .REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Oakville Arts Council The Ontario Poetry Society Hamilton Poetry Centre Oakville Ensemble		Every April, Poetry Month Oakville celebrates all things poetic with a variety of events for poets and lovers of poetry held throughout Oakville. Events include readings by outstanding poets, open mic opportunities for the public, workshops for poets, events integrating the arts, readings for seniors and in-school events for youth. Keep checking back for updates! Events will be continually updated Until the 2012 schedule is ready, the 2011 listings will remain as a sample POETRY MONTH OAKVILLE 2011 POETRY MONTH OAKVILLE 2011 is grateful for the generosity of The Oakville Public Libraries Moonshine Cafe Paradiso Restaurant Oakville Beaver Oakville Today Timothy's World Coffee on Lakeshore and for the Financial Support of The Town of Oakville Cultural Grants OBJECTIONABLE TOPICS SUCH AS SUPPORT FOR RACISM, MISOGYNY OR HOMOPHOBIA WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED _____________________________________ Unless otherwise stated to register to read at any event send an email to Elka Ruth Enola, Coordinator ere@bell.net _________________________________________________________ PAYMENTS _______________________________________ Most events are free but we have to pay presenters, printers, etc so donations will always be welcome ________________________________________ Preregistration for events with a charge. Make payment by PayPal or Make cheque payable to Oakville Poetry Alliance and send to 2124 Towne Blvd Oakville, ON L6H 5G7 Write name of event (s) on cheque Envelopes must be received 4 business days prior to the event. THURSDAY 7-9 PM APRIL 14 and APRIL 21 Timothy's Upstairs 321 Lakeshore Rd East OPEN MIC Free Everyone welcome Bring poetry to read or just come to listen. Advance registration not necessary SATURDAY APRIL 2 1-5 PM Central Library, Navy corner Lakeshore Rd WORKSHOP WRITING 'FORM POETRY' with ELLEN JAFFE “A Formal Feeling Comes” (from Emily Dickinson’s “after great pain, a formal feeling comes.” Why write formal poetry? Why NOT write it? Most of us learn form poetry before we even know what form is: nursery rhymes, limericks, hymns, campfire songs, jump-rope songs, sports cheers. Many children now write haiku and cinquaine poems in school. Great poems have long been form-poems – yet the 20th century saw an explosion of free verse (which, even in its freedom, uses formal elements of language and rhythm). In this workshop, we will look at various aspects of formal poetry (rhyme, rhythm, number of lines, pattern, etc.) and explore the ways form can enhance and embody the meaning of a poem. W.B. Yeats wrote that “poetry is meaning in a cage of form” – and I think he did not mean a prison, but rather, a container that can hold pain, joy, wonder. We will be writing some poems during the workshop, so bring a journal and pen. Also, bring a favourite poem in form – any form, any kind of poem. Ellen S. Jaffe is a Hamilton writer Who uses form – looser or tighter. Sonnets, sestinas, limericks, too – Will this class make a formal poet of you? Ellen’s books include Writing Your Way: Creating a Personal Journal; Water Children (poetry); Feast of Lights: a young adult novel. She is a finalist in the Winston Collins/Descant contest for “best Canadian poem 2011,” and has taught poetry in many settings, including previous workshops for Oakville’s National Poetry Month. Free SPECIAL: Join us for lunch at Paradio before the workshop and get 20% off your food cost. Just be sure to let me know ahead of time so that we can have the appropriate spaces reserved. Paradiso Restaurant corner Navy & Lakeshore Opposite the Library To register for this event, send an email to Elka Ruth Enola, ere@bell.net ___________________________________________________________ SUNDAY, APRIL 3 Noon - 2pm Moonshine Cafe, 137 Kerr St at Rebecca POETRY WITH A CONSCIENCE Poems relating to the environment, human rights, war and peace, social equality etc are appropriate topics. Free Come to read or just to listen and enjoy. Everyone welcome. To register to read at this event, send an email to Elka Ruth Enola, ere@bell.net ____________________________________________________ SATURDAY, APRIL 9 10 am - 12 pm Central Library Navy corner Lakeshore Rd PANEL DISCUSSION THE FUTURE OF THE PRINTED WORD This will be a discussion, not a debate. It will be an exploration of the future of the printed word from a variety of perspectives. Audience particiapation will be welcome. Susan Kun Manager, Woodside Branch & Adult Collections Oakville Public Library Pearl Raju, Director of Digital Access & Development, Oakville Public Library Jody Sanderson Past Editor of Oakville Today Sheridan College David Tucker Documentary Producer & Associate Professor, Ryerson University Free Everyone welcome SPECIAL: Join us for lunch at Paradio and get 20% off your food cost. Just be sure to let me know ahead of time so that we can have the appropriate spaces reserved. Paradiso Restaurant corner Navy & Lakeshore Opposite the Library ___________________________________________________________ SATURDAY APRIL 9 1-5 PM Central Library Navy corner Lakeshore Rd WORKSHOP with NORM BROWN Poet, Teacher, Photographer Past President Tower Poetry Society Norman Brown, a retired teacher, has interests in Photography, Poetry, and amateur theatre. Born and raised in Niagara Falls Ontario, Norm spent the majority of his teaching career in Pembroke, Ontario before moving to Hamilton five years ago. He holds a Master's degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also attemded University of Toronto [Faculty of Education], York University (Toronto), University of Ottawa [Special Education], and the University of Central England [Fine Arts: Photography]. POETICS WHAT MAKES A POEM 'POETRY'? An entertaining exploration of the nature of poetry. With the title "Road Kill and Carbines; Burping your inner poet", you know this won't be a run of the mill workshop. Join us for an afternoon of poetic insight, poetic growth and just plain fun. Free Everyone welcome SPECIAL: Join us for lunch at Paradio before the workshop and get 20% off your food cost. Just be sure to let me know ahead of time so that we can have the appropriate spaces reserved. Paradiso Restaurant corner Navy & Lakeshore Opposite the Library To register for this event, send an email to Elka Ruth Enola, ere@bell.net SUNDAY APRIL 10 Noon - 2 pm Moonshine Cafe, 137 Kerr St at Rebecca POETIC MULTICULTUALISM Oakville has a rich tapestry of people with many different cultural roots. We hope to be able to present a broad sampling of many different backgrounds. Poems relating to life in other cultures or to Canadian culture(s) are appropriate. It can be as a tourist or an immigrant or as a Canadian with roots in other cultures. The term 'culture' will be broadly interpreted, so for example, there is the culture of the rich and the culture of the poor. There are also religious and secular cultures. Free Everyone welcome To register to read at this event, send an email to Cheryl Xavier cheryl.xavier@sympatico.ca _______________________________ SUNDAY APRIL 17 NOON-2PM Moonshine Cafe, 137 Kerr St at Rebecca LITERARY CAFE Poetry and Prose 5 minutes per reader Open Mic In the tradition of Literary Cafés poets and prose writers come together to share with each other and with the audience their fruits of creativity Free Everyone welcome To register to read at this event, send an email to Cheryl Xavier cheryl.xavier@sympatico.ca _______________________________________________________ SATURDAY APRIL 30 7:30-10 pm St John's United Church 262 Randall Street, Oakville The Oakville Poetry Alliance joins The Oakville Ensemble for a very special program of POETRY AND MUSIC We are delighted to join the wonderful Oakville Ensemble for an evening of classical music and poetry around the theme of New Life. For more information or to purchase tickets contact The Oakville Ensemble oakville-ensemble.ca 905 825 9740 __________________________________________________ There will also be in-school events for students as well as special programs in Residences for Seniors. ___________________________________________________ For more information contact Elka Ruth Enola, Coordinator at ere@bell.net. You can also ask to be put on the Poetry Emailing list for advance notice of all poetry events.