Victoria Spoken Word Festival 2015

Victoria Spoken Word Festival 2015. February 23-March 1, 2015.

I was part of a local group of grass-roots angel investors, the Awesome Shit Club, when spoken word artist Missie Peters pitched her plan to promote the first Victoria Spoken Word Festival in 2011.

Now in its fifth year, the festival has grown in size, scope and audience every year since its inception. In 2014, it outgrew the original performance space (the 50 seat Intrepid Theatre Club) and moved into the 150 seat Metro Studio Theatre (corner of Quadra and Johnson) thanks to a partnership with, and the assistance of, Intrepid Theatre.

Beginning as a festival focused on the needs of emerging artists (the ensemble has a packed schedule of daytime workshops and mentorship opportunities), it is now a week-long celebration of the spoken word.  In the past, poets have worked with puppets (inspired by training with local puppeteer Tim Gosley) and masks. This year, local dance troupe Broken Rhythms collaborates with the ensemble and the results will be showcased in Poetry in Motion, a performance Thursday February 26^th.

I have always appreciated Missie Peters calm determination, can-do attitude, and willingness to share.  Starting as a one-woman enterprise, she is now assisted by Nicole Olszewski, Morgan Purvis and Pam Stewart, thus ensuring the festivals viability, capacity and sustainability.

A festival pass (good for all evenings of performance) is $45 and single admissions $15/$10 (seniors & students). Tickets are available through Ticket Rocket.

VICTORIA – The fifth annual Victoria Spoken Word Festival brings back twelve of our favourite, freshest spoken word artists from across Canada for a week-long celebration of poetry and performance.

The Victoria Spoken Word Festival features spoken word on the cutting edge – and these twelve all-stars will blow your poetic mind. From February 23 to March 1 they will create and perform innovative and inspiring spoken word, while collaborating with dancers, improvisers – even brewers! Plus, the festival will feature Poet of Honour Brendan McLeod of The Fugitives.

VICTORIA SPOKEN WORD FESTIVAL – February 23-March 1, 2015

Festival Launch Party – The Mint – Monday, February 23
An intimate evening featuring Victoria’s out-going Poet Laureate Janet Rogers.

Instant Slam – Intrepid Theatre – Tuesday, February 24
The Festival Ensemble has one hour to write a poem and perform it – with the audience as judge!

Metaphors and Monologues – Intrepid Theatre – Wednesday, Feb 25
Performances by SpeakEasy (Dave Morris and Missie Peters) and Poet of Honour Brendan McLeod.

Poetry in Motion – Metro Theatre – Thursday, February 26
Collaborative performances by the Festival Ensemble with dancers from Victoria’s Broken Rhythms.

All-Star Showcase – Metro Theatre – Friday, February 27
Hosted by Mike McGee and Dave Morris, the festival ensemble poets performing their best poems.

Festival Finale – Metro Theatre – Saturday, February 28
The culmination of the festival, the festival ensemble will perform a brand new show in they wrote in only one day. Poet of Honour Brendan McLeod will open the show with a very special feature.

Public Workshop with Brendan McLeod – Intrepid Theatre – Sunday, March 1
Always wanted to try spoken word? This workshop will give you the basics and let you have fun learning.

Sunday Night Improv – Victoria Event Centre – Sunday, March 1
The Festival Ensemble joins a cast of Victoria’s local improvisers for a hilarious and inspiring show.

For more information on the Victoria Spoken Word Festival visit: www.victoriaspokenwordfestival.com.