The Small Machine Talks
Exploring the Poetry Scene of Central Canada and Beyond
Episode 4, Part 2
Recent Events
We discuss recent poetry events in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa.
Aaron talks of a new Toronto poetry event/magazine called the 4 Poets.
Amanda praises Sean Braune’s modernist / post-modernist long poems from above/ground press 23rd.
Jessica Moore’s long lines at Tree.
We talk of the infamous Sawdust raffle and the shot glass incident.
Hugo Ball sound poetry.
Oyster beer and the macabre personal poetry of Suzanna Derewicz
The Bywords John Newlove Poetry Award at the Ottawa International Writers Festival
Naviger’s great music. The launch of Ronald Seatter’s chapbook, “dreampunk.”
The amazing sound quality of Christ Church Cathedral. We mention the recordings of John Newlove thanks to Robert Gougeon, former host of CKCU’s “Cabbages and Kings.”
We discuss the festival after party and the lovely food by Dash, beer by Bicyclecraft Brewery.
We hint at Aaron’s late-night church habits.
We discuss the other poets at the festival: Vivek Shraya’s amazing medley of lines from songs by women of colour. Gwen Benaway’s mesmerizing poetry. The three poets of the poetry cabaret: Sandra Ridley, Gregory Scofield, Stuart Ross. Amanda’s sappy crying at several festival events, including the Joy Kogawa event. Ron talks of Sawdust with Roland Prevost and Mary Lee Bragg; Aaron got there in time for drinks.
Amanda rants about the open mic, including the possibility of including a flogger for those who exceed their time limit. Aaron talks about Sawdust reads at Railroad, with Liam Burke, Natalie Hanna and Jennifer Pederson and Plan 99 with Sue Sinclair and Matthew Sweeny. Amanda apologizes for not attending, but praises David O’Meara’s hosting skills and the Manx as the quintessential writers’ bar. Amanda forgets to mention David’s excellent cardigans. Aaron mentions the In/Words reading with Joseph Ianni from Toronto, who used the space as part of his performance. There was also live painting and two performers from Michigan and music. We learn that Amanda stalks In/Words routinely.
Our goal is to make people neglect their day jobs for poetry and drinking.
23:25 Upcoming Events in Central Canada including Ottawa, Peterborough, Montreal, London, Sudbury, Sarnia, Windsor and Toronto. They talk about the great finds to be had at the Rockcliffe Park Book Fair and the need for a Book Fair Anonymous organization for hardcore bibliophiles. Both Arc and Vallum are launching new issues on Monday, November 7. We hear of the launch of the In/Words anonymous issue on November 18, which will involve roving performers, music and a great big party open to all, deconstructing the notion of a poetry reading. Dalton Derkson will return to Ottawa for the In/Words monthly reading on November 30, another interactive fun event.
31 – Peterborough, the Electric City
32 – Montreal
Amanda mentions the great site, WherePoetsRead.ca curated by Katherine MacLeod, which talks about poetry events happening in Montreal. We muse about whether Expozine is larger than Canzine. We learn of the Off The Page Festival put on by Writers Read Concordia. We talk of the great bookstore Librairie Drawn and Quarterly. Amanda lists Adele Barclay’s extensive tour schedule. Lots of reasons to go to Montreal, if you aren’t there already.
37 – London, Sudbury, Sarnia, Windsor
We discuss the quantity of book festivals happening this year as well as mention events. Aaron is from Windsor and is happy to discover the literary activity there now.
38:56 – Toronto
We discuss various reading series from the Rowers Reading Series, to the Pivot, to Artbar, Slackline, Words on Stages Parenthetical to HIJ, to the Boneshaker Reading Series…Amanda mentions that Pivot is seeking a new host. Aaron suggests someone travel from Ottawa to host the series. They discuss the wonder of having pie at a reading series at someone’s house as is done at HIJ. Meet the Presses takes place on November 19.
Aaron invites poetry enthusiasts to attend poetry events throughout Central Canada.
44: Calls for submission
from In/Words Magazine to Arc to League of Canadian Poets to Poetry is Dead to Frankenstein and more!
Next recording date: December 4 with an interview with Canthius editor and Ottawa poet, Claire Farley