APRIL 1 TO 30, 2019 in VARIOUS LOCATION: The League of Canadian Poets celebrates National Poetry Month with the theme of ‘Nature’. Poetry events will be held across the country.
APRIL 30 2019 in TORONTO: The Art Bar Poetry Series presents featured readers Phoebe Wang, Manahil Bandukwaia, and Chuqiao (Teresa) Yang followed by an open mic. Guest host: Puneet Dutt, 8 p.m. at Free Times Café, 320 College Street. There is a cover charge for this event.
APRIL 30, 2019 in TORONTO: Another Story Bookshop presents a special night of poetry with Lena Khalaf and Fady Joudah, 7 to 9 p.m. at 315 Roncesvalles Avenue. Co-sponsored by The Toronto Palestine Film Festival, Cahoots Theatre, and Nightwood Theatre with thanks to the Canada council for the Arts.
APRIL 30, 2019 in TORONTO: Shab-e She’r (Poetry Night) LXXIII presents featured poets Michelle Hillyard and Fan Wu 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.
APRIL 29, 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
APRIL 28, 2019 in WINDSOR: Pelee Island Bird Conservatory presents Music & Migration + Poetry with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra and Biblioasis featuring poets Kim Fahner, Daniel Lockhart, and children’s author/illustrator Wener Zimmermann, Doors open at 6 p.m. Performance begins at 7 p.m. at the Capital Theatre. This is a ticketed event.
APRIL 28, 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.
APRIL 27, 2019 in LONDON: The launch of the poetry chapbook Dear Google I Love You I Love You So Much Its Rediculous by Gavin Le Bar and gusonaruf. Also readings by London writers Tom Cull and Aaron Schneider, 7 to 9 p.m. at Brown & Dickson, 567 Richmond Street.
APRIL 27, 2019 in WELLAND: The Welland Public Library will host five local and out-of-town poetry readers from two Lummox Press anthologies: Tamaracks – Canadian Poetry for the 21st Century and LUMMOX Number 7. Featured readers: Fran Figge, Debbie Okun Hill, Keith Inman, John B. Lee, and Mori McCrae. 2 to 4 p.m. Welland Public Library, 50 The Boardwalk. This is a National Poetry Month event made possible by The League of Canadian Poets.
APRIL 27, 2019 in WINDSOR: Independent Bookstore Day featuring local authors, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Biblioasis, 1520 Wyandotte Street East
APRIL 27, 2019 in SARNIA: Canadian Independent Bookstore Day featuring discounts, refreshments and cake, face painting, photos, and raffle prizes, all day, The Book Keeper, 500 Exmouth Street.
APRIL 26, 2019 in STRATFORD: “Infinite Sequels”, a theatrical and poetic performance featuring David Stones as The Poet and Tom Gannon Hamilton at The Violin. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. with an 8:30 p.m. showtime at Revival House, 70 Brunswick Street. NOTE: This is a ticketed event.
APRIL 26, 2019 in TORONTO: Vallum Issue 16:1 “Connections” and A. F. Moritz Chapbook (Art of Surgery) Launch with readings by A. F. Moritz, Mary Lou Soutar-Hynes, Ashley Hynd, MA /DE, John Reibetanz, Meg Freer, and more. Doors open at 7 p.m. and readings begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Avenue.
APRIL 26, 2019 in TOTTENHAM: Spoken Word Poetry Open Mic Night with feature poet Bruce Meyer, inaugural Poet Laureate of the City of Barrie from 2010 to 2014 plus an open mic, 7 to 9 p.m. at Classique Espresso Bar & Café, 31 Queen Street North.
APRIL 26, 2019 in WINDSOR: The Biblioasis Spring Poetry Launch featuring Shane Neilson with Kim Faher, D. A. Lockhart and more, 7 to 9 p.m. at Biblioasis, 1520 Wyandotte Street, East.
APRIL 25, 2019 in WHITBY: Celebrate Poetry Month at Central with poetry author Darrell Epp and his latest collection Sinners Dance, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Whitby Public Library. Registration required. See poster below:
APRIL 25, 2019 in TORONTO: The Urban Folk Art Salon presents an evening of music, poetry, and art with David Clink, Glen Hornblast, John B. Lee, Rosemary Clewes, and Steve Raiken. Hosted by Tom Gannon Hamilton, 6 to 8 p.m. at Mount Pleasant Library, 599 Mount Pleasant Road.
APRIL 25 and 26, 2019 in WYOMING: The Lambton County Library presents a “Used Book Sale”, Thursday from 1 to 8 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the County of Lambton Administration Building – Council Chambers, 789 Broadway Street.
APRIL 24, 2019 in TORONTO: Eight local and out-of-town contributors of the TAMARACKS anthology (Lummox Press 2018) will read their work, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Main Branch of the Toronto Public Library, 137 Main Street.
APRIL 24, 2019 in TORONTO: House of Anansi presents two workshops with Vanessa Barnier as part of National Poetry Month, open to all levels of writers, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Anansi Bookshop, 128 Sterling Road. Note limited seating and there is a charge. The first workshop was held April 8.
APRIL 23, 2019 in TORONTO: The Art Bar Poetry Series presents featured readers Jade Wallace, Susan Glickman, and D. M. Marchand-Lafortune 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.
APRIL 22, 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 EASTER MONDAY)
APRIL 18, 2019 in HAMILTON: Nine local and out-of-town poetry contributors from the LUMMOX Number 7 anthology will read their work. 7 to 9 p.m. at The Staircase, 27 Dundurn Street North. Admission free.
APRIL 18, 2019 in CANADA: The League of Canadian Poets presents “Poem in Your Pocket Day”. See more details on the League website.
APRIL 17, 2019 in TORONTO: Arthur Ellis Shortlist Event with emcee Deborah Dundas, Book Editor, The Toronto Star, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Ben McNally Books, 366 Bay Street.
APRIL 17, 2019 in LONDON: Poetry London Reading Series spotlights Canisia Lubrin and Jack David, Workshop 6:30 p.m. Reading 7:30 p.m. Landon Branch Library, 167 Wortley Road.
APRIL 16, 2019 in TORONTO: The Art Bar Poetry Series presents featured readers Dorothy Sjoholm, Anda Zeng, Superna Ghosh, and Allen Sutterfield 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.
APRIL 16, 2019 in TORONTO: Featured readers Clara Blackwood, Elizabeth Greene, and Michael Morolla, will read from the Canadian anthology Tamaracks, followed by an open mic 6 to 8 p.m. at the Parliament Street Branch of the Toronto Public Library, 269 Gerrard Street East. Admission free.
APRIL 15, 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.
APRIL 15, 2019 in WINDSOR: Gertrude’s Writing Room presents “Poet Laureate Celebration” featuring Windsor’s new Poet Laureate Mary Ann Mulhern, Youth Poet Laureate Samantha Badaoai, and Poet Laureate Emeritus Marty Gervaid in conversation with Vanessa Shields, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Biblioasis, 1520 Wyandotte Street East.
APRIL 15, 2019 in TORONTO: The Platform Reading Series presents readings from the winner and finalists for the Marina Nemat Award in Creative Writing, multigenre category, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Duke of York, 39 Prince Arthur Avenue.
APRIL 15, 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
APRIL 14, 2019 in TORONTO: “More Songs & Poems”. Hear the songs and poems of Max Layton and the music of Bob Cohen, Ed Roth, and Mary Hanson. Special guests: Fraser & Girard and M. E. Law, 5 to 7 p.m. at the Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Ave.
APRIL 14, 2019 in TORONTO: The Toronto launch of Quill of the Dove by Con Cu, 3:30 p.m. at The Supermarket Bar, 268 Augusta Avenue.
APRIL 14, 2019 in TORONTO: Guernica Editions celebrates their newest titles of the Spring 2019 season, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Supermarket Bar and Restaurant, 268 Augusta Avenue. Free admission.
APRIL 14, 2019 in TORONTO: The Fiddlehead 2020 presents “The Ecology of Story: Writing with Mother Earth” This is Spoken Word Workshop from 3 to 5:30 p.m. followed by an Open Mic with Sheniz Janmohamed and Mahlikah Awe:ri Saqama’sgw, Room MW130, at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC), 1255 Military Trail. The workshop and performance are free and open to all but workshop space is limited for advanced registration is recommended.
APRIL 14, 2019 in TORONTO: Green Fire: Ecology of Poetry featuring poetry by the Long Dash Writing Group, 2 to 3:30 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Clubhouse, 450 Broadview Avenue. Admission is Free. A National Poetry Month event sponsored by The League of Canadian Poets and the Canada Council for the Arts. See poster below:
APRIL 13, 2019 in WELLAND: Grey Borders Books presents a Book Launch featuring Alia Wall, Jeni De La O, Mohammed Kebbewar, and TAK Erzinger with Steven Mayoff. Hosted by Taylor Peebles, 6 to 8 p.m. at The Vegan Hippie Chick, 91 E. Main Street.
APRIL 13, 2019 in KINGSTON: A Book Signing with Ian Thomas Shaw, author of Quill of the Dove, 12 to 3 p.m. at Novel Idea Bookstore, 156 Princess Street.
APRIL 13, 2019 in WINDSOR: The Windsor Small Press Book Fair, a day of book selling, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the University Community Church, 2320 Wyandotte Street West.
APRIL 13, 2019 in ORANGEVILLE: “Day of the Poets 2″ a festival celebrating National Poetry Month featuring 9 poems, 1 sing-songwriter, and two workshop facilitators. 10 to 5 p.m. at Orangeville Public Library, 1 Mill Street. Admission free.
APRIL 12, 2019 in TORONTO: Knife Fork Book and Goose Lane Editions presents “Celebrating the Poets of Palestine with Marcello Di Cintio”. The author will be reading from his book Pay No Heed to the Rockets, 7 to 10 p.m. at Knife Fork Book at The Dark Side Studio, 244 Augusta Avenue. The event is free and open to the public.
APRIL 11 to 14, 2019 in HAMILTON: The 15th annual gritLIT Readers and Writers Festival. Many events to select from, Homewood Suites by Hilton Hamilton, 40 Bay Street South. This is a ticketed event.
APRIL 11, 2019 in TORONTO: House of Anansi Press and Groundwood books presents their spring 2019 poetry books Climbing Shadows (Shannon Bramer), The Caiplie Caves (Karen Solie), The Elements (Erin Moure), Twitch Force (Michael Redhill), and Dunk Tank (Kayla Czaga), 8 to 11 p.m. at Rivoli, 332 Queen Street West. Admission free.
APRIL 11, 2019 in BARRIE: Word Up presents featured readers Johanne Levesque and Wendy Ranby, followed by an open mic, 7 to 9 p.m. at Unity Market Café & Studios, 25 Toronto Street.
APRIL 11, 2019 in KINGSVILLE: Mouthpiece Storytelling and the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary presents a special National Wildlife Week storytelling event, 7 to 9 p.m. at the historic house on-site, 332Road 3 West. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Stories begin at 7 p.m. ‘Family Friendly’
APRIL 11, 2019 in LONDON: “Gathering Voices”, an evening of poetry with Katerina Fretwell, Susan McCaslin and Susan McMaster reading “nature-themed” poems. Sponsored by The League of Canadian Poets. Penn Kemp will also be launching Fox Haunts . The evening will also include the first showing of Mary McDonald’s short film interpretation of Kemp’s poem “Wishing Well”, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Sevenson & Hunt Room, London Central Library, 251 Dundas Street. Free admission.
APRIL 9, 2019 in TORONTO: The Art Bar Poetry Series presents featured readers Susan McMaster, Ariane Blackman and Jenna Lyn Albert followed by an open mic. Guest host: Maida Sosa Velazquez, 8 p.m. at Free Times Café, 320 College Street. There is a cover charge for this event.
APRIL 9, 2019 in HAMILTON: “LitChat: Why Thomas Merton Matter Now”, a discussion with John S Porter and Susan McCaslin, 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the LINC classroom, 4th floor, Central Branch of the Hamiltoon Public Library
APRIL 9, 2019 in LONDON: Synaeresis: arts + poetry presents Mykonos Open Mic Poetry Series. Featured guest reader Alan Leangvan 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.
APRIL 9, 2019 in WHITBY: Celebrate Poetry Month at Central with the Brooklin Poetry Society Workshop, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Whitby Public Library. Registration required. See poster above under the April 25th date.
APRIL 9, 2019 in TORONTO: The Boneshaker Reading Series presents authors Michael Fraser and Lillian Necakov, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 1101 Bloor Street West.
APRIL 9, 2019 in OAKVILLE: Poetry&Prose Open Mic for Poetry Month is celebrating National Poetry Month by encouraging readers to read a short (maximum 14 line) poem or excerpt from another poet and to chat about the poet or how the work moves you, 6 to 8 p.m. at The Kitchen at the Vanguard Oakville, 350 Lakeshore Road East.
APRIL 8, 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.
APRIL 8, 2019 in TORONTO: House of Anansi presents two workshops with Vanessa Barnier as part of National Poetry Month, open to all levels of writers, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Anansi Bookshop, 128 Sterling Road. Note limited seating and there is a charge. The second workshop will be held April 24.
APRIL 8, 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
APRIL 7, 2019 in LONDON: Writers Open Mic, All Genres at Mykonos organized by Joan Clayton and Marion Johnson. All genres are welcome: short stories, novels, scripts, journals. Readers will have 8 to 10 minutes to present their work in a warm, inviting atmosphere, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Mykonos Restaurant, 572 Adelaide Street North.
APRIL 7, 2019 in HAMILTON: Thirty-two of the 133 local and out-of-town poetry contributors to the Canadian anthology Tamaracks (Lummox Press 2018) will read their work. See poster below for the list of readers, 2 to 5 p.m. Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne Street. Admission free.
APRIL 6, 2019 in AURORA: Arab Voices featuring poetry, music, and the arts from the Arab world, 2 p.m. in the Living Room of the Aurora Public Library, 15145 Yonge Street.
APRIL 6, 2019 in SARNIA: Sarnia’s 2019 National Poetry Month Celebration will feature Toronto poet/musician Tom Gannon-Hamilton followed by a ‘Poetry Marathon’ with local and area poets. So far, the confirmed readers include: Sharon Berg, Bob Boulton, James Deahl, Jale Fancey, Mary Frost, Debbie Okun Hill, Norma West Linder, Rhonda Melanson, David D Plain, Najah Shuqair, Kara Smith, and Lynn Tait. Additional readers TBA. 1 to 4 p.m at the Hawg Bar, 117 Christina Street North. Admission is free.
APRIL 4, 2019 in MISSISSAUGA: Verses Out Loud: A Spoken Word and Poetry Open Mic hosted by the Mississauga Arts Council, 7 to 10 p.m. at Common Ground Café, 157 Lakeshore Road West.
APRIL 4, 2019 in WINDSOR: The launch of In the Face of It, the debut photobook by Douglas MacLellan, assembled by the students of the University of Windsor’s Publishing Practicum, 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Fogolar Furlan Club of Windsor, 1800 North Service Road.
APRIL 4, 2019 in TORONTO: Writers’ Workshop and Social with Ronna Bloom. This drop-in workshop will offer an opportunity to write about the theme of ‘home’, 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Writers’ Co-op, 7 Hart House Circle.
APRIL 3, 2019 in TORONTO: PoetryNOW: 11th Annual Battle of the Bards featuring readings by 20 poets with the winner receiving an invitation to read at the 40th anniversary edition of the Toronto International Festival of Authors, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West. This is a ticketed event.
APRIL 3, 2019 in LONDON: LOMP: reading series & open mic (held on the first Wednesday of each month). This month’s featured reader Erica McKeen. 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.
APRIL 2, 2019 in TORONTO: The Art Bar Poetry Series presents featured readers Emiio Puerta, Alvin Wong and Stanford Cheung, and Hana Shafi followed by an open mic. Guest host: Margaret Code, 8 p.m. at Free Times Café, 320 College Street. There is a cover charge for this event.
APRIL 2, 2019 in TORONTO: Wild Writers Poetry Salon with featured readers Andrea Thompson and Kate Marshall Flaherty plus 10 spots on the open mic, Hosted by Georgia Wilder. 7 to 9 p.m. at Poetry Jazz Café, 224 Augusta Avenue. There is an admission charge.
APRIL 2, 2019 in TORONTO: The Rowers Reading Series presents an evening of poetry and prose with Sarah Henstra, Doyali Islam, Sheniz Janmohamed, and Michael Rowe, 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. at Glad Day Bookshop, 499 Church Street
APRIL 1, 2019 in LONDON: Reading Garden Opening Event celebrates National Poetry Month with a Poetree Walk, introduction of the Library’s new Environmentalist in Residence, and the opening of the Rotary Reading Garden. Drop-in between 4 and 6 p.m. at the Central Branch of the London Public Library, 251 Dundas Street
APRIL 1, 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
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 