First-Ever Burlington Lyrics & Poetry Festival Runs Throughout April - National Poetry Month
*Please see below a news release issued by Burlington Public Library.
BURLINGTON, ON – Burlington Public Library (BPL) is hosting its first-ever Lyrics & Poetry Festival. During a month-long celebration of all things poetic, the Library, together with participating partners, welcomes writers, award-winning songwriters, and three acclaimed Canadian poets. All sessions are virtual this year and are free to attend; registration is open. The Festival runs throughout April to celebrate National Poetry Month and Burlington Poetry Month.Highlights of the festival include:
- Meet the Poet is a collection of live virtual events for those who delight in the magic of language and the power of words. This series features three acclaimed Canadian poets, including two Parliamentary Poet Laureates of international renown.
- Play with Poetry, offered by Art Express is a workshop that explores poetry in a fun, dynamic, and dramatic way for the younger crowd.
- Songwriters Café is a special series of inspirational songwriting conversations with Burlington’s Sound of Music Festival CEO, Myles D Ruddick. These sessions feature lyricists across various musical genres.
Also, throughout April, the Library has a community reading challenge to read 1,000 poems in total. Each poem read or shared with another earns a ballot for a chance to win a gift certificate for A Different Drummer Books. Participants may read as many poems as they like. For contest details and the online ballot, visit www.bpl.on.ca/poetryMEET THE POET
- Apr 8 - Alexandra Oliver, poet, author, essayist
- Apr 12 - Louise Bernice Halfe – Sky Dancer, Cree poet, elder, current Parliamentary Poet Laureate
- Apr 28 - George Elliott Clarke, author, playwright, former Parliamentary Poet Laureate
WORKSHOPS & PRESENTATIONS
- Apr 5 & 19 - NaPoWriMo Workshop with Meaghan Strimas, writer
- Apr 6 - Songwriters Café with Suzie McNeil, Juno Award winner
- Apr 9 - The Art of Haiku Writing Workshop with Kimiko Horne, poet
- Apr 13 - Songwriters Café with Abby J Hall, singer-songwriter
- Apr 20 - Songwriters Café with Dave Wanless, Juno Award nominatee
- Apr 21 - First World War Canadian Poetry with Museums of Burlington
- Apr 23 - Haiku Poetry for Youth with Elizabeth Crocket, author
- Apr 27 - Songwriters Café with Brandon Howard Roy, Music PEI Award nominee
- April 30 - Play with Poetry for Kids with Arts Express
Presented by Burlington Public Library Librarians
- Rhyming Family Storytime - every Tue: Apr 5, 12, 19, 26
- TelePALS Poetry Favourites - Apr 5
- Love of Poetry Challenge for all ages
Participating partners:
- City of Burlington
- A Different Drummer Books
- Burlington Mundialization Committee - Itabashi
- Sound of Music Festival
"Burlington has a great reputation for being a community of readers who appreciate and understand the value of creative expression. With April being National Poetry Month—and proclaimed as Burlington Poetry Month by City Council—it’s the perfect time to have a literary celebration dedicated to verse. We’re very excited to work with our partners to bring such a fantastic lineup of writers and workshops to the community in Burlington Lyrics & Poetry Festival’s inaugural year." -- Lita Barrie, Chief Executive Officer, Burlington Public LibraryFore more information about Burlington Lyrics & Poetry Festival, please click the link. Follow the Festival on social media for news & updates with the hashtag #BurlLPFest--*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor's Media and Digital Communications Specialist