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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday March 21, 2008 - 29 Artscene Oakville Beaver · FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2008 Oakville's poets have a month to call their own Poetry Month features many venues for poets and poetry lovers By Patricia Stephenson SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER T he month of April is known for the return of spring, major league baseball, playoff hockey and, in Oakville, poetry. Now in its second year, Poetry Month in Oakville is jam packed with special events for poets, poetry lovers or for anyone curious about what takes place at these events. April is a time when Oakville's poetry groups come together in celebration of their love for poetry, to invite the public to experience the art through participation in workshops, to read their poems or to listen to readings by poets. Elka Ruth Enola, poet and coordinator of Oakville's Poetry Month, says "There really is a very, very active poetic community in Oakville." Who attends these poetry events? According to Enola, "There are people who come out to listen to poetry, but they don't write, there are people who write poetry, but who are not poets, and there are poets." The youngest poetry reader during last year's Poetry Month, says Enola, was 12, and the oldest 84 years old. Enola makes special mention of four of the events, Poetry with a Conscience, Poetry with a Smile, Non-Prophet Poetry, and Poetic Multiculturalism, where there will be a total of 43 readings from experienced and novice poets. Poetry with a Conscience is a collection of DEREK WOOLLAM / OAKVILLE BEAVER A MONTH FOR POETS: Featured poet Brian Wickers speaks during last Sunday's Poetry Café at the Moonshine Café. April is Poetry Month and is filled with many poetry readings and workshops. thoughtful and provocative poetry. Poetry with a Smile has an element of humour. Non-Prophet Poetry is secular in content, and Poetic Multiculturalism encompasses cultural experiences expressed in poetry. There are two interactive workshops which Enola says she wants the public to have the opportunity to attend. The workshops are free but there is limited attendance, and registration must be made by contacting Linda Farmer at lfarmer@k2s.ca. Ellen Jaffe, award-winning poet and teacher, delivers a workshop on writing and language called Re-Vision! Beyond the First Draft. Yo Mustafa, an outstanding actor, director and teacher with West End Studio Theatre (W.E.S.T.), presents Bringing the Words Alive, a workshop focusing on the delivery of poetry to an audience. · April 4, 7-9 p.m. at Chapters: Poetry featuring Pelicans & Open Mic, includes readings from featured poets and an invitation to members of the public to read their poems. · April 5, 2-4 p.m. at Elka Enola's: The Ontario Poetry Society (TOPS) meeting. This is a working meeting of poetry discussion and critiquing for TOPS members. Anyone interested in joining TOPS should contact Enola at ere@sympatico.ca. · April 6, noon-2 p.m. at the Moonshine Café: Poetry with a Conscience presents readings from featured poets. · April 6, 3-5 p.m. at CJ's Café: Open Mic where the public has an opportunity to read to an audience. · April 7, 7-9 p.m. at Elka Enola's: Pelicans is a group that meets twice a month to share readings and critique their work. Open to Pelicans members. · April 8, 7-9 p.m. at Margaret Newton's: Southwest Ontario Poets (SWOP). Open to all poets. Interested poets must contact Margaret prior to attending at jnewton27@cogeco.ca. · April 9, 2-3 p.m. at Sunrise Assisted Living: Poetry for Seniors. Readings by poets are for the residents of Sunrise Assisted Living. · April 10, 7-9 p.m. at Timothy's: Inkwell is Oakville's longest running poetry group. Everyone is welcome. Bring a poem to read. · April 11, 7-9 p.m. at Chapters: The Ontario Poetry Society (TOPS) presents readings by featured poets and invites the public to read poems. · April 12, 10 a.m.-noon at Oakville Central Public Library auditorium: Re-Vision! Beyond the first draft, an interactive writing and language workshop by Ellen Jaffe. Bring your paper, pen and any unfinished poetry. Advanced registration is required; contact Linda Farmer at lfarmer@k2s.ca. · April 12, 2-4 p.m. at Oakville Central Public Library auditorium: Bringing the words alive, a workshop by Yo Mustafa. Learn to improve your oral presentation skills in a supportive group atmosphere. Advanced registration is required; contact Linda Farmer at lfarmer@k2s.ca. · April 13, noon-2 p.m. at Moonshine Café: Poetry with a Smile with readings from featured poets. · April 13, 3-5 p.m. at CJ's Café: Open Mic provides the opportunity for the public to read their poetry. · April 17, 7-9 p.m. at Timothy's: Canadian Federation of Poets (CFP). Everyone is welcome to bring a poem to read. · April 18, 7-9 p.m. at Chapters: Poetry featuring Inkwell with readings by poets followed by an invitation to the public to read their poems. · April 20, noon-2 p.m. at Moonshine Café: Poetry Café presents readings by featured poets. An $8 door charge includes a chapbook of poetry read from featured poets on that day. · April 20, 3-5 p.m. at CJ's Café: Open Mic provides the opportunity for the public to read their poems. · April 21, 7-9 p.m. at Elka See Full page 30 Call 1-877-510-510-2 and talk to a Registered Dietitian for free. 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