Festival 2023 Events Schedule
Please note that some events require advanced registration so that the festival can reserve space for in-person events or contact you regarding how to access online content.
Celebration of Poetry
Celebrate National Poetry Month with a delightful afternoon of poetry featuring Medgine Mathurin and Emily Riddle and hosted by Writer in Residence Tololwa Mollel. An open mic session for those who are interested in ...

The Blinks Ignition
Sign Up for the Blinks Ignition! Sign up to start your poetry engine and take part in this fast-paced evening where dozens of poets will step up to the stage and turn the key. ...
A Thousand Words
A Thousand Words is a multi-genre invitation combining poetry’s focus on sound, language and imagery into video form! It’s a video open mic: record a simple reading of your poem or layer and pair ...
Laureates Night featuring Ink Movement
This exciting night of poetry will feature readings from the Edmonton Poet Laureate – Titilope Sonuga, the St. Albert Poet Laureate – Lauren Seal, and members of a local youth poets collective called Ink ...
Subversion by SIC
Sublime Intervention Collective (SIC) is back for EPF 2023 – Ignite Unite with a poetry showcase and live painting! Host: Shima Robinson Pay-what-you-can Suggested donation $10
Unspoken Poetry with Yusi
Charlee Queen XO will be your feature poet with accompaniment from Reclaim Collective, a 5-piece group comprised of some of Edmonton’s finest jazz musicians. Local poet, Yusi, will kick off this night of music ...
Parenting Poets
Three poets who are also parents discuss the ramifications, challenges and joys of being parenting poets. Child minding will be provided by EPFS for up to 8 children between the ages of 6 and ...
UAlberta Press Literary Editions
This hybrid poetry reading event will feature readings from UAlberta Press’ newest collections: Monitoring Station by Sonja Ruth Greckol, Indie Rock by Joe Bishop, and there’s more by Uchechukwu Peter Umezurike. Co-presented by Edmonton ...
Our Home On Native Land – Your Poems Now
Jully Black made a gesture towards reconciliation by changing one word in our national anthem. This workshop is focused on how your poems can speak truth and – word by word – unmask fear, ...
EPF 2023 Presents: Meghan Eaker and Jane Munro
Join us for this EPF 2023 presentation of live readings from Meghan Eaker and Jane Munro. Host: Shima Robinson Pay-what-you-can Suggested donation: $10
Voices of Edmonton Indigenous Poets Society
The Edmonton Indigenous Poets Society is returning for EPF 2023! This is a showcase of Indigenous Voices in amiskwaciy-wäskhikan curated by the Edmonton Indigenous Poets Society. Featuring readings by Paige Cardinal, Stephanie Giroux, Robin ...
Who Am I (Not)?: A Workshop with Bänoo Zan
Participants in this workshop will be invited to challenge dominant discourses about poetry, identity, community, and activism. They will be invited to approach writing form a more global perspective and to consider its impact ...
Using Nonsense Language to Speak to Trauma
Sometimes language fails us. Especially in some of our most difficult moments. Perhaps our vocabulary isn’t enough to express what’s going on or what we’ve experienced is beyond words. In this workshop we will ...
Poésie à haute voix : un atelier d’écriture
Poésie à Haute Voix est une invitation pour les Francophones, ceux qui parlent Franglais et ceux qui ont le courage de dépoussiérer leur français et de se renouer avec leur amour pour la langue ...
Food for Thought
Food for Thought is a catered event that is all about sparking your interest in local magazines that have published poetry. Take this opportunity to experience some of the poetry that has been published ...
Ignite Unite Poetry Party
Join us for another fabulous Poetry Party! We will hear from four poets who graced our stages throughout the festival this year. Expect big energy, big feelings, and big fun! Readings from Meghan Eaker, ...
Ignite Unite Open Mic
It’s time for local and emerging poets and spoken word artists to share their work! Come read a poem or two at for this year’s penultimate event on Sunday, April 30th from 12:00pm to ...
Knife on Snow: Book Launch
Please join Alice Major as she celebrates the launch of her newest poetry collection, Knife on Snow. About Knife on Snow What portents must you divine when a knife falls from the sky into ...