Special B Channel Coverage

Videography and Video Editing by Brianna Chatwin
Reporting by Lisa B. and Beth Stupple
Article by Lisa B.

December 6, 2009

The 6th Annual Canadian Festival of Spoken Word was hosted in Victoria this year. The action took place at three locations; the Victoria Event Centre, Alix Goolden Hall and Belvagor Studio.

The location provided the stage, but those who stepped on it provided emotion, energy, and ideas of change through art.
“It [the festival] makes poetry sexy again, sweaty, just real and passionate, it’s poetry for the people decided by the people,” said feature performer, Regie Cabico.

The festival, which took place from November 10-14, 2009, included events like poetry slams, a poetry decathlon, an erotica show, musical performances, workshops and slam competitions. In a slam, poets compete with their art, with a limit of 3 minutes. Judges vote on the poems using a 1-10 decimal point system. But, the audience does not sit quietly listening to the poet’s share themselves.

The audience is engaged, vocal, from snapping along at those moments the words flow into tingling sensations felt all over the room, to cheers and sounds vibrating across the floor. Rounds eliminate; pieces judged on personal interpretations and reactions by those holding the numbered cards.

Spoken word is considered by many of those performing and watching as an avenue for social change.

“Spoken word started because of social change, because there was a need for a lot of people who didn’t have a voice to get their voice out there,”
said Anushka In-repair.

Throughout history, poetry has been a mechanism for spreading ideas, radicalizing people and inspiring social change, especially during times of heavy censorship where speaking the truth outright could cost people their lives. Artists would use their art to document dissent, expose life, and challenge societal norms. Poets were able to hide their message behind metaphors, which would provide a sort of alibi when the censors came about. Today, spoken word continues to push for an expansion of mind and thought and challenge ideas.

“I think people are afraid of poetry and don’t know what it is, sometimes when you come to this event your idea of what poetry is and isn’t, is illuminated,” said Regie Cabico.

Victoria performer Spillias wants people to, “think about change, think about the way life is, and think about their own life. Maybe figure something out that is going on for them, that they could maybe make better… It [poetry] can bring all kinds of change, it is oral history, it’s telling our stories, passing on what we do whether it’s good or bad or different.”

Spoken word revitalizes a medium and brings it to a diverse, vibrant audience. There is an element of movement; it is musical, theatrical and involves more than just spoken words.

“It is about using your words and your body to say something. Simply,” said media liason and performer, Missie Peters.

One of the elements of the Festival are the showcases. Each showcase highlights a specific issue or identity, through the featured performers, but also involves an open mic where any poet can relate to the topic or group.

“What I like is that they’ve had the showcases for each thing whether it’s women, pan-African, queer/transgender, but the open mic that is attached to that is not only for those people the open mic is for everyone but what happens there ends up being a flavour of whatever that is that permeates through that, and to me that’s a really nice dichotomy having it sort of that space but also inclusive of everyone to show it’s all one thing, it’s all together,” said Spillius.

Each poet brings their own experiences and interpretations of living to the stage.
“Generally my poetry just embraces an idea of equality and understanding and knowledge, because that is the way we are going to make true changes,” said performer, Truth Is.

The Festival provided an intimate experience between the performer and each person in the audience. Each performance was a difference perspective, a unique snap shot of the artist’s life.

“I think if I can make people laugh and cry they will have gotten who I am,” said Regie.