2012 Calgary Spoken Word Festival

2012 Festival is Over!

Thank you to everyone who could come and everyone who watched on the live-stream. Be sure to come back next year, which will be our 10th anniversary.

Banff Centre

Spoken Word Workbook

SLAM!

Youth SLAM!

2012 Golden Beret Award

We are pleased to honor poet and activist Kirk Miles for his influence and impact on Spoken Word and poetry in Calgary. We will present the award and Miles will perform at Opening Night – The Saloon Salon on Tuesday, April 17 at 8:00 PM at the Auburn Saloon (163 – 9th Ave. SE).

The Golden Beret Award is presented to a Canadian Spoken Word Poet who has made significant, lifelong contributions both to the Spoken Word genre and to the growth & development of their communities.

Kirk's poems have been produced on CBC's Alberta Anthology and his poetry has been published in journals across Canada. As a playwright he earned recognition for his work, including an award.. Read more....

Letters Of Support

David Johnston

Heather Klimchuk

Knoll Blog

Wil Knoll is an emerging theatre artist and hard core technology geek based in Calgary. He will tweet and blog throughout the festival, at the events and behind the scenes. Find out what happens in the secret passages by following his exploits in real life on:

twitter: @wintr
twitter: @CiSWF
Blog: (click here)

Stay Connected

There are many ways to keep up to
date with festival activities.

Join our Mailing List

The Spoken Word Workbook

This is the Go-To resource for Spoken Word Poetry
Imagination + Writing + Performance + History + Storytelling

Spoken Word Workbook

We have invited professional spoken word artists (among the top in the genre) to submit 3 interactive exercises intended to explore specific facets of spoken word. These exercises address 1) history 2) writing & 3) performance – and will lead the reader/participants on a creative journey of discovery. Learn from them as you learn more about yourself.

The Artists

José Acquelin (Montréal)
bill bissett (Toronto)
Regie Cabico (Washington DC)
George Elliott Clarke (Toronto)
Paul Dutton (Toronto)
Ian Ferrier (Montréal)
John Giorno (New York City)
Louise Bernice Halfe (Saskatoon)
Bob Holman (New York City)
Kaie Kellough (Montréal)

Shane Koyczan (Penticton)
Cheryl L'Hirondelle (Toronto)
Billeh Nickerson (Toronto)
Hilary Peach (Gabriola Island)
Robert Priest (Toronto)
Steven Ross Smith (Banff)
Quincy Troupe (New York City)
Anne Waldman (New York City)
Sheri-D Wilson (Calgary)
d'bi young (Toronto)

Learn from them and learn about yourself – tell your own story!

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