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22 Artscene · FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2009 Upcoming Poetry Month bigger and better than ever By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF April marks the onset of spring, but here in town, it is also the start of Poetry Month in Oakville. This is the third year the community will come together to celebrate the beauty of the written word. It will be the best Poetry Month in Oakville yet, according to event coordinator Elka Ruth Enola. "Poetry Month is an opportunity for the producers of poetry and the lovers of poetry to come together, usually at no charge, in a variety of ways and places for a variety of poetic experiences," she said. "I'm more excited than ever this year." Workshops, readings, open mic events and a student poetry award night are just some of this year's festivities taking place in local schools, libraries, restaurants and cafés. Enola said she is particularly excited about the increase in schools taking part in Poetry Month in Oakville. "For the in-school program, professional poets go into the school and make a presentation to the students," she said. "Last year, we had one elementary school participating. This year we have four and possibly more. We're delighted." There has also been an increase in interest from seniors' homes. "Last year, we went into one seniors' residence and read and this year, we have two," she said. Poetry Month in Oakville has also grown in sponsors. One sponsor on board this year, Boston Pizza at Winston Park Drive, is providing many perks for event participants. There are also many other local businesses and groups in the community who have come together to make the event a success. Poetry Month in Oakville is also reliant on volunteers, for which Enola said she is grateful. "I cannot tell you the hundreds of volunteer hours that go into putting this together," she said. Enola said there are several events she is especially looking forward to this year. One is the first-ever Poetry, Pizza and Pasta Extravaganza, which kicks off Poetry Month on April 1. She is also anticipating the Poetic Multiculturalism event on April 26. "Here is a day when people of all different backgrounds and experiences can share and learn," she said. "Last year, people kept commenting on how similar their experiences were among people who were so diverse and from different backgrounds." LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER PASSION FOR POETRY: Elka Ruth Enola, shown in in this file photo, is the coordinator of Poetry Month in Oakville. She said this will be the best Poetry Month in Oakville yet. Festivities get underway April 1. For additional event information, go members of The Inkwell and The Canadian online to www.oakvillepoetry.org or e-mail Federation of Poets. Free. Elka Ruth Enola at ere@sympatico.ca. · Sunday, April 5, noon-2 p.m. at Poetry Month in Oakville Moonshine Cafe, 137 "Poetry Month is an 2009 events: Kerr St. Poetry with a · Wednesday, April 1, 6-9 opportunity for the producers Conscience. Poems p.m. at Boston Pizza, 2011 of poetry and the lovers of relating to the environWinston Park Dr.: Poetry, poetry to come together, ment, human rights, Pizza and Pasta war and peace, social usually at no charge, in a Extravaganza. Poets: Elka equality, etc. Poets: Elka Ruth Enola, Heather variety of ways and places for Ruth Enola, Sheila Meyhew, George Arnold, a variety of poetic Tucker, Masayuki Richard Tattoni, Mary experiences." Tanabe, Yaqoob Catherine Rolston, Marko Ghaznavi, Richard Radin, Ivy Reiss, Evelyn Elka Ruth Enola Tattoni, Mary Catherine Quist, Zohra Zoberi. There is Poetry Month coordinator Rolston, Cheryl Mary no topic for poetry. Xavier, Josie DiSciascioAdmission: $10 cash, includes a buffet. Andrews. Free. · Friday, April 3, 7-9 p.m. at Chapters, · Sunday, April 5, 4-6 p.m. at Timothy's, Oakville Town Centre, 310 North Service Rd. 321 Lakeshore Rd. E. Poetry on the Patio. There will be open mic opportunities. Poets: Open mic readings. Come to hear poetry read or read what you bring. No registration or advanced submission. Meet inside if it rains. Free. · Thursday, April 9, 7-9 p.m. at Timothy's, 321 Lakeshore Rd. The Inkwell. · Monday, April 13, 7-9 p.m. Pelicans meet. · Tuesday, April 14, 7-9 p.m. South West Ontario Poets meet. · Thursday, April 16, 7-9 p.m. Timothy's, 321 Lakeshore Rd. Canadian Federation of Poets meet. · Friday, April 17, 7-9 p.m. at Chapters, Oakville Town Centre, 310 North Service Rd. Public reading by members of The Pelicans and South West Ontario Poets. There will be open mic opportunities. Poets: Elka Ruth Enola, Richard Tattoni, Antonio Distenfano, Liz Benneian, Norm Brown, Josie DiScascioAndrews, Carl Oresk, Marion Shaffer. Free. · Saturday, April 19, noon-2 p.m. at Moonshine Cafe, 137 Kerr St. Poetry Café. Guest poet: Norman Brown. Feature poet: John B. Lee. Admission $5. · Sunday, April 19, 4-6 p.m. Timothy's, 321 Lakeshore Rd. E. Poetry on the Patio. Open mic readings. Come to hear poetry read or read what you bring. No registration or advanced submission. Free. · Wednesday, April 22, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Woodside Public Library, 1274 Rebecca St. Poetic Relationships. The term `relationships' will be broadly interpreted. Poets: Elka Ruth Enola, George Arnold, Richard Tattoni, Ellen Jaffe, Mary Catherine Rolston, Tricia Snow, Daryl Fowler, Ivy Reiss, Evelyn Quist, Jason Kwast, Josie DiScascio-Andrews. Free. · Friday, April 24, 7-9 p.m. at Oakville Town Centre, 310 North Service Rd. Public reading by members of The Ontario Poetry Society. There will be open mic opportunities. Free. · Sunday, April 26, noon-2 p.m. at Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St. Poetic Multiculturalism. Poems relating to life in other cultures or the Canadian culture(s). Featuring Guyana-born poet Peter Jailall. Poets: Elka Ruth Enola, Robert McNamee, Evelyn Quist, Cheryl Antao-Xavier, Zohra Zoberi, Josie DiScascio-Andrews. Free. · Sunday, April 26, 4-6 p.m. at Timothy's, 321 Lakeshore Rd. E. Poetry on the Patio. Open mic readings. Come to hear poetry read or read what you bring. No registration or advanced submission. Meet inside if it rains. Free. · Monday, April 27, 7-9 p.m. Pelicans meet. · Tuesday, April 28, 7:30-9-30 p.m., Holy Trinity High School, 2420 Sixth Line. The Spirit of Youth Poetry Contest Awards presentation. This is the culmination of the 2009 poetry contest that is open to Halton high school students. This is the closing event of Poetry Month in Oakville 2009.