MAY 31, 2019 in TORONTO: Poetry & Spoken Word Night co-presented by Shab-e She’r (Poetry Night) and the 2019 Happening Multicultural Festival, 7:30 p.m. at the Centre for Culture Arts Media & Education, 918 Bathurst Street.
MAY 30 to JUNE 1, 2019 in HALIFAX: Save the date – The AGM and OnWords 2019 conference for members of The Writers’ Union of Canada, Four Points by Sheridan.
MAY 30 to JUNE 1, 2019 in COBALT/HALEYBURY: The 12th Annual Spring Pulse Poetry Festival
MAY 30 to JUNE 1, 2019 in LONDON: Half Price Literature Sale at Brown & Dickson, 567 Richmond Street.
MAY 29 to JUNE 1, 2019 in TORONTO: Happening Multicultural Festival, a four-day multi-disciplinary festival that will engage more than 60 artists/performers who have self-identified as people of diverse communities, immigrants, newcomers, and refugees. The festival features traditional and contemporary music, dance, visual arts, storytelling, poetry, crafts and food at the Centre for Culture Arts Media & Education, 918 Bathurst Street.. NOTE: This is a ticketed event.
MAY 29, 2019 in TORONTO: The Toronto International Festival of Authors presents “When Women Write” featuring four diverse Canadian writers: Loren Edizel, Susan Glickamn, C. Fong Hsiung, and Tehmina Khan, Hosted by Nora Gold, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West. Note: this is a ticketed event.
MAY 29, 2019 in ST CATHARINES: The launch of History Made in Niagara, a collection of essays by Alun Hughes, 7 to 9 p.m. at Pond Inlet, Brock University. See poster below:
MAY 28, 2019 in TORONTO: The Art Bar Poetry Series presents featured readers Giovanna Riccio, Mark Laliberte, and Peter Norman followed by an open mic. Guest host: John Oughton, 8 p.m. at Free Times Café, 320 College Street. There is a cover charge for this event.
MAY 28, 2019 in TORONTO: Shab-e She’r (Poetry Night) LXXIV presents featured poets Jackleen Hanna and Kirby with hosts Banoo Zan and Terese Pierre. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Open-mic sign-up at 6:30 p.m. Show at 7 p.m. at Main Hall of the Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Avenue. There is a cover charge.
MAY 27, 2019 in TORONTO: Purdy Drinks 2019 with readings by Damian Rogers, Meaghan Strimas, and Sarah Dearing plus a silent auction of Purdy items, 7 to 10 p.m. at Henderson Brewing Co. 128A Sterling Rd. Partnered with House of Anansi.
MAY 27, 2019 in POINT EDWARD: Writers Helping Writers (WHW) workshop: Lambton County writers are invited to a weekly workshop for writers, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. each Monday (except holiday Mondays and the summer months of July and August) at Point Edward Library on Michigan Avenue. More details: bobandjane62@gmail.com
MAY 26, 2019 in MISSISSAUGA: The YTGA Open Mic series featured Brandon Pitts followed by an open mic. Hosted by Paul Edward Costa, Mississauga Poet Laureate, 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Studio 89, Unit 104, 1065 Canadian Place
MAY 26, 2019 in SARNIA: Writer’s Block, a songwriter’s workshop (for all ages new and old) held on the last Sunday of every month. Hosted by musician Missy Burgess, the event encourages the group to select three new topics at random and to prepare a song for the following month. This is a free event for anyone interested in writing a song. 3 to 5 p.m. at the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts, 127 Christina Street South. (CANCELLED FOR THE SUMMER MONTHS. BACK IN SEPTEMBER.)
MAY 26, 2019 in TORONTO: Hidden Book Press presents new books from The John B. Lee Signature Series with featured writers Eva Kolacz, Don Gutteridge, and Bruce Kauffman plus guest reader John B. Lee followed by an open mic, 2 to 4:30 p.m. at Supermarket Restaurant and Bar, 268 Augusta Avenue. There is an admission fee which includes a copy of one of the featured books. Everyone welcome.
MAY 26, 2019 in SARNIA: The Celebration of Life for the late Carmen Ziolkowski, a local Sarnia writer/poet and member of The Writers Union of Canada, 12 noon to 5 p.m. at the Sarnia Riding Club. Everyone is welcome.
MAY 26, 2019 in OAKVILLE: Oakville Poetry & Prose presents author Anubha Mehta, followed by an open mic, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Taste of Columbia – Fair Trade Café & El Salon, Unit #2 (Café) and Unit #3 (El Salon) 67 Bronte Road.
MAY 25, 2019 in TORONTO: Setu Magazine presents Sarnia writer Sharon Berg, 2 to 4 p.m. at the Toronto Public Library, 35 Fairview Mall Drive.
MAY 24 to 26, 2019 in BAYFIELD AND WINGHAM: The 15th Annual Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story with award winning authors, readings and panel discussions, master classes, and a short story contest.
MAY 24, 2019 in HAMILTON: Hamilton Tree Walk with writers Ariel Gordon and Daniel Coleman to guide guests for a walk within the forest surrounding Cootes Paradise, 6:45 p.m. Meet at the Aviary parking lot (85 Oak Knoll Drive) with the walk to begin at 7 p.m. A book signing with the writers will follow at 8 p.m. at King W. Books, 1060 King Street West.
MAY 22, 2019 in WINDSOR: Urban Friends & Poetry with Ariel Gordon featuring Elizabeth Ross and Gwen Bailey, 7 p.m. at Biblioasis Bookshop, 1520 Wyandotte Street East. Admission is free.
MAY 21, 2019 in TORONTO: The Art Bar Poetry Series presents featured readers Sacha Archer, Smokii Sumac, Elana Wolff, and Peter Jickling followed by an open mic. Guest host: Terry Trowbridge, 8 p.m. at Free Times Café, 320 College Street. There is a cover charge for this event.
MAY 21, 2019 in TORONTO: Wolsak and Wynn presents it’s Toronto Spring Launch, 7 p.m. at The Melody Bar, 1214 Queen Street West.
MAY 20, 2019 in SARNIA: “Open Stage” at the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts. Hosted by singer-songwriters Missy Burgess and John Pilat. Held on the second and third Monday of each month. Welcomes music, poetry, storytelling, prose and those who wish to just listen. 7 to 9:30 p.m. at 127 Christina Street South. Admission is free.
MAY 20, 2019 in POINT EDWARD: Writers Helping Writers (WHW) workshop: Lambton County writers are invited to a weekly workshop for writers, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. each Monday (except holiday Mondays and the summer months of July and August) at Point Edward Library on Michigan Avenue. More details: bobandjane62@gmail.com (NOTE EVENT CANCELLED DUE TO LIBRARY BEING CLOSED FOR THE LONG WEEKEND)
MAY 17, 2019 in OTTAWA: The Magical Evening with Canadian Authors (MECA) presents featured guests Geza Tatrallyay, John Delacourt, and Ian Thomas Shaw, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Pour Boy, 495 Somerset Street West.
MAY 16 to 19, 2019 in VANCOUVER: The Canadian Authors Association CanWrite conference.
MAY 16, 2019 in WINDSOR: Poets Kirby, Khashayar Mohammadi, and Pearl Pirie will be featured at this Poetry Reading, 7 to 9 p.m. at Biblioasis, 1520 Wyandotte Street East. Admission is free.
MAY 15, 2019 in LONDON: Poetry London celebrates its 15th Anniversary with special guest Cornelia Hoogland and readings by poets from the Poetry London community, 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Landon Branch London Public Library, 167 Wortley Road.
MAY 14, 2019 in TORONTO: The Art Bar Poetry Series presents featured readers AG Pasquella, Marc Di Saverio, and Meena Chopra followed by an open mic. Guest host: Rudy Fearon, 8 p.m. at Free Times Café, 320 College Street. There is a cover charge for this event.
MAY 14, 2019 in HAMILTON: LitChat with David Lee on The Importance of Popular Fiction, 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. at the LINC Classroom, 4th Floor, Central Branch of the Hamilton Public Library.
MAY 14, 2019 in LONDON: Synaeresis: arts + poetry presents Mykonos Open Mic Poetry Series. Featured guest reader Carrie Connel-Gripp plus open mic to follow. Sign-up for open mic readers at the door. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Event: 7 to 9 p.m. at Mykonos Restaurant, 572 Adelaide Street North (at Elias Street). Admission is free.
MAY 13, 2019 in SARNIA: “Open Stage” at the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts. Hosted by singer-songwriters Missy Burgess and John Pilat. Held on the second and third Monday of each month. Welcomes music, poetry, storytelling, prose and those who wish to just listen. 7 to 9:30 p.m. at 127 Christina Street South. Admission is free.
MAY 13, 2019 in POINT EDWARD: Writers Helping Writers (WHW) workshop: Lambton County writers are invited to a weekly workshop for writers, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. each Monday (except holiday Mondays and the summer months of July and August) at Point Edward Library on Michigan Avenue. More details: bobandjane62@gmail.com
MAY 11, 2019 in HIGHGATE: Ian Kateku, international acclaimed poet, will be performing an interactive concert “Poetry in the Tailgrass Prairie”, 4 to 6 p.m. at Homestead on the Prairie, 14218 Mazan Land. Please note that this is a ticketed event and tickets are limited.
MAY 11, 2019 in WATERLOO: Criminal Procedures: A Special Words Worth and Cormorant Books In-store Event featuring novelist Susan Swan and Maureen Jennings, 2 p.m. at Words Worth Books, 96 King Street South.
MAY 11, 2019 in MISSISSAUGA: Meet Canadian poet Laurence Hutchman, author of The House of Shifting Time, 1 to 4:30 p.m. at Chapters Vega, 3050 Vega Boulevard.
MAY 11, 2019 in COBOURG: The Ontario Poetry Society presents “The Spring Into Poetry Festival” with book launches, members’ readings, and an open mic for non-members, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Meet at 66 King East. Admission is free. Everyone is welcome.
MAY 11, 2019 in SARNIA: Cat Cabajar, Queen of The Painted Cat will set setting up a pop-up shop, The Poetic Type. Using her typewriter, she will be composing on the spot poetry, one of a kind messages to you or your mom for Mother’s Day, 12 noon to 3 p.m. at The Book Keeper, 500 Exmouth Street.
MAY 11, 2019 in KINGSTON: Book signing of Quill of the Dove by Ian Thomas Shaw, 12 noon to 3 p.m. at Indigo Kingston, 945 Gardiners Road
MAY 11, 2019 in MAYNOOTH: The Poets’ Society of Hastings County North and Kathy Figueroa Poetry present the launch of The Poetry of Pot by Dallas Bader as well as a reading by Honey Novick, author of Undefeated Relevance followed by a short open mic, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hastings Highlands Public Library, 33011 Hwy 62 North. This is a free event.
MAY 11, 2019 in GUELPH: An event for young readers featuring authors Jean Little, Jess Keating, Deborah Kerbel, and Joe Weissman, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Guelph Public Library, Main Library, 100 Norfolk Street.
MAY 9, 2019 in BARRIE: Word Up presents featured poets Doyali Islam and Linda McGregor followed by an open mic, hosted by Aaron Reynolds 7 to 9 p.m. at Unity Market Café & Studios, 25 Toronto Street.
MAY 8, 2019 in TORONTO: The Brockton Writers Series presents readings by Paul Vermeersch, Andrew Gurza, Andrea Bain, and Doyali Islam with special guest speaker Yilin Wang, followed by a Q & A with the writers, 6:30 p.m. at Glad day Bookshop, 499 Church Street. Admission is pay-what-you-can.
MAY 7, 2019 in TORONTO: The Art Bar Poetry Series presents featured readers Tyler Pennock, Veronique Kanor, and Gavin Barrett followed by an open mic. Guest host: Sharon Goodier, 8 p.m. at Free Times Café, 320 College Street. There is a cover charge for this event.
MAY 7, 2019 in TORONTO: Wild Writers presents featured guests Kerri Huffman and Zach Da Costa plus 10 open mic readers, 7 to 9 p.m. at Wild Writers Poetry Salon, Poetry Jaxx Café, 224 Augusta. Note: there is an admission charge.
MAY 7, 2019 in TWEED: First Tuesday Muse 3rd Anniversary with poetry and spoken word open mic, 7 p.m. at The Tweedsmuir Tavern, 211 Victoria.
MAY 6, 2019 in SARNIA: Guest readers Frances Boyle (Ottawa), Blaine Marchand (Ottawa), and Karen Shenfeld (Magnetawan) plus 10 other poetry contributors to the TAMARACKS: Canadian poetry for the 21st century anthology will read their work. An optional pre-event dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. followed by readings from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at John s Restaurant (Famous Room), 1643 London Line. Admission is free.
MAY 6, 2019 in POINT EDWARD: Writers Helping Writers (WHW) workshop: Lambton County writers are invited to a weekly workshop for writers, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. each Monday (except holiday Mondays and the summer months of July and August) at Point Edward Library on Michigan Avenue. More details: bobandjane62@gmail.com
MAY 5, 2019 in OTTAWA: Guernica Editions Ottawa Spring Launch with six writers (Arianna Dagnino, Raymond Filip, Dave Le Blanc, Rita Pomade, Ian Shaw, and Nicola Vulpe reading from new works of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, 3 to 5:30 p.m. at Vimy Brewing Company, 1-145 Loretta Avenue North.
MAY 5, 2019 in TORONTO: Guest readers Frances Boyle (Ottawa), Margaret Patricia Easton (Moncton, N.B.), and Blaine Marchand (Ottawa) plus approximately 37 other local and out-of-town poetry contributors to the TAMARACKS: Canadian poetry for the 21st Century anthology will read their work, 1 to 6 p.m. at the Supermarket Bar and Restaurant, 268 Augusta Avenue, Kensington Market. Admission is free.
MAY 5, 2019 in GODERICH: “Jane’s Walk – Local Indigenous Culture Before the Canada Company”; a walk lead by David D Plain, aboriginal historian/author from Aamjiwnaang Territory, Canada. He will share Anishnaabeg stories of Ojibwa lifestyle, migrations on the Great Lakes and the impact of the signing of Treaty 29, July 1827. 11 a.m. to noon – starting point – the big rock at Menesetung Bridge, North Harbour Road West. If the weather is extremely wet, the group will meet at the Goderich Library.
MAY 4, 2019 in LONDON: A book signing with Erica Dornbusch, author of Paint & Prose as well as an exhibition of her original art from the book, 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Westland Gallery, 156 Wortley Road.
MAY 2, 2019 in MISSISSAUGA: The Mississauga Arts Council presents Verses Out Loud, a spoken word and poetry open mic featuring Robyn Kaur Sidhu, 7 to 10 p.m. at West Edge, Common Ground Café, 157 Lakeshore Road West
MAY 1, 2019 in YORKVILLE: The Heliconian Hall presents “A Spring Evening of Readings” featuring Kate Hawkins, Kate Marshall Flaherty, and Bianca Lakoseljac, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Heliconian Club, 35 Hazelton Avenue.
Doyali Islam Photo by Arden Wray
MAY 1, 2019 in LONDON: LOMP: reading series & open mic (held on the first Wednesday of each month). This month’s featured reader is ARC Poetry Magazine’s poetry editor and Toronto resident Doyali Islam. Open mic to follow: bring a poem, an excerpt of fiction, a chunk of your memoir, or a paragraph of creative non-fiction, and partake. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. TAP Centre for Creativity, 203 Dundas Street.
MAY 1, 2019 in LONDON: Poetry Workshop with ARC Poetry Magazine’s Poetry Editor Doyali Islam, 4 to 5 p.m. at Brown & Dickson, 567 Richmond Street. This workshop is free and open to the public.
TO SEE EVENTS FOR PREVIOUS MONTHS, SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM WHERE THERE IS A LIST OF PAGE NUMBERS. CLICK ON THE PAGE NUMBER THAT YOU WANT!
Kites Without Strings 