Words Aloud 2023

Artistic Director’s Message

Hello friends and fans of live poetry! After our pandemic hiatus, Words Aloud welcomes you to its 2023 season.

We’re a leaner organization than previously, but the quality, diversity and variety of poets on our slate for this year is in keeping with our history. We have poetry for everyone, from fans of visual and concrete poetry, to devotees of sound poetry, to afficionados of lyric verse. Our poets will open our minds and hearts, will dazzle us with their stage presence, will touch us where we live. Words Aloud is, and will remain, one of Ontario’s finest regional literary festivals.

This year, we’ve got not one but two major events planned for you.

On the afternoon of Saturday, September 9, be sure to come to the Durham Art Gallery to experience three of Canada’s most dynamic multimedia poets: Gary Barwin, Daniel Scott Tysdal, and Kevin Andrew Heslop.

Then, on the weekend of October 20-22, our opening event will feature Janice Jo Lee on the Friday evening at the Craig Gallery in Meaford; Sarah Lewis, Stuart Ross and Brandon Wint will amaze us on Saturday at the Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library; and Kim Fahner, DA Lockhart, Penn Kemp and Barry Dempster will fill Sunday at the Tom Thomson Art Gallery with as much poetry as a human can handle. We will also be featuring local legend Bob Menzies and Collingwood Poet Laureate Jillian Morris. Our activities will also include the workshops – both in schools and in the community – which are the cornerstone of our programming. So save the dates!

Please visit this website often for updates. Ticketing information to come.

Tickets

Tickets are available through Eventbrite here, and in person from the Owen Sound Public Library (824 1st Ave W, Owen Sound).

Tickets for the September 9 Durham event are $30 and are sold separately.

Tickets for the October 20 Meaford event are $10.

Tickets for the Main Stage events in Owen Sound on October 21 and 22 are $30 each.

Workshops are $30 each (note that enrolment is limited).

Weekend passes covering all three October main stage events, as well as the workshops, are $110.

Festival passes covering all three main stage events in October are $60.

Hardship pricing for the September 9 event and the October 21 and 22 events is $20.

COVID Policy

Words Aloud is taking place against the backdrop of a global pandemic. We will provide safety measures in the form of hand sanitizer and masks, and we encourage their use. We can also seat spectators apart if so desired. If you have any requirements please let us know.

We would strongly urge that if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID or are feeling ill to reconsider attendance at our event.

Discover

Learn more about the history of our fascinating festival.

Study

Check out this brilliant classroom learning resource featuring video performances by 14 of Canada’s best poets and storytellers.

Videos

Words Aloud has filmed virtually all of its guest artists, resulting in a treasure trove of poetry in performance over almost two decades. We invite you to browse this superb archive at our YouTube channel.