Last night’s Poetry Party was a real blowout. The Reunited Raving Poets kicked out a memorable set with readers Michael Gravel, Kerry Mulholland, and Thomas Trofimuk. Guitarist Michel Lefavre sat in with the band and was incredible! Dionne Brand put us in the front seat of a bank robbery getaway vehicle and left us with visions of Bird, Coltrane, and Monk. Bob Holman sang, recited, and read his entire book entitled “Box” to the great delight of the audience. He took us into the fumes of Saturday night. It was one for the ages.

Today is the final day of the festival, and here are the events:

  1. Breathe. 10:00am – 12:00noon, Harcourt House, 10215 – 112 Street. Time out. A poem. A silence. A bell. Another poem. This is an hour to catch our breath, listen, feel. Special guests will join us to bring a poem, but will be space for you to bring one too.
  2. A Balanced Brunch. 1:30pm – 3:30pm. Ft Saskatchewan Library, 10011 – 102 Street, Ft Saskatchewan, AB. Celebrating the 14th Annual National Poetry Month, four talented Edmonton-area poets will share their perspective on this year’s theme of “balance” – culturally, creatively, linguistically, personally, socially, playfully, politically, poetically, or perhaps even musically! They include League members Diane Buchanan, Alexis Kienlen, Peter Midgely and Pierrette Requier, with emcee Dymphny Dronyk. A League of Canadian Poets event. Tea, coffee and muffins will be served.
  3. The Cafe Readings. 1:30pm-4:30pm, Three Bananas Cafe, L’Espresso Cafe, and Audrey’s Books. You’ve got all the choice in the world at this traditional Sunday festival event. Download a copy of the reading schedule here.
  4. Writers Corner. 1:30pm – 3:30pm, Milner Library, Churchill Square. The April installment of the Library’s regular Writers Corner will have a poetry flair. Edmonton Poet Laureate Anna Marie Sewell will lead the session and the topic is Poetic License.
  5. Nothing For Now. 4:00pm-6:00pm, Wunderbar Hofbrauhaus, 8120 – 101 Street. Local poets gather at The New Wunderbar Hofbrauhaus every Sunday to talk poetry, learn different forms of writing and to workshop poems in progress. A poetry jam is held after the workshop and all poets are invited to come out and recite. The performing poets have the option of being videotaped and posted on the Nothing, For Now youtube channel for the world to see.

It has been a wonderful festival, hasn’t it! Enjoy the final day!