The Spoken Word Jamboree kicks off the festival officially with feature poet Mary Pinkoski, the reigning Canadian Slam Champion.
All teams will be invited to perform a one-minute intro poem to tell us more about themselves and their school. Mary Pinkoski will show us some of the poems that helped her lead the Edmonton Slam Team to the national championship in just their second year of existence. Then, we will end the evening will close with a showcase of team alternates.
The Jamboree provides all participating poets a chance to meet each other outside of a competition setting. It’s also where all the teams will register. Poets and coaches will receive artist passes that allow them free access to all Hullabaloo events. There will be a brief orientation and then the poetry will begin. However, this is a public event. You don’t need to be on a participating team to attend. Don’t be shy. Come on down to the café and help us start this festival right!
About Mary Pinkoski
She is a member of 2011 Edmonton Poetry Slam Team which won the National Championship at the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word. Mary was also voted Most Valuable Poet of the 2011 Canadian Festival of Spoken Word. She was a finalist in the 2011 Edmonton Poetry Laureate competition, as well as a finalist at the 2011 Canadian Individual Slam Championship. Mary was the winner of the 2008 National CBC Poetry Faceoff. A storyteller at heart, her writing has been called dynamic and visceral. Mary has presented her unique style of spoken word throughout Alberta, British Columbia, and Washington. In addition to her live performances, Mary’s work has been played on CBC Radio One’s Radio Active and the Key of A, CKUA’s The Road Home, as well as Philadelphia’s Spotlight on Jazz and Poetry. Mary has also led numerous workshops on spoken word poetry, including work with youth. Mary’s most current chapbook is love is a tree you planted.
This is a public event.
$3 for youth (18 and younger), $5 for adults (19 and older). Tickets are only available at the door. No advance tickets are available.
This event is free for all festival participants and volunteers.