Every month we profile an Edmonton (#yeg) based event that has not received the attention we think it deserves. “Wx5” (Who, What, Where, When and Why) is the spotlight we shine on this event as a way of drawing more attention and more attendees to a specific gathering and/or event than #yegenda can provide. Each month the spotlight changes to a different “Wx5” feature. These events are best described as the “KikkiPlanet.com Pick of the Month” and members of our team will be in attendance.
Words with Friends 3 (hashtagged #yegwords3 on Twitter) is an evening of open-stage spoken word performances from Edmonton’s mostly undiscovered and newly emerging talent in poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, performance art and music. Words with Friends aims to unite local writers and creative minds in a variety of genres and styles to share their work, discover new fans, friends and peers, network amongst each other, and celebrate their craft (usually with enthusiastic applause fuelled by some beer, wine and liquor).
The format of Words with Friends is specifically designed to be inviting and comfortable, especially for inexperienced live performers. There are no judges, no winners, no competitions and no prizes. This event is about sharing and exposing your work to your peers and an audience, meeting new people, honing your craft and gaining experience with live performance. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or have never read your work in front of a crowd before, we want you!
Words with Friends is no-holds-barred. Curse words, graphic content, getting naked on stage, props, costumes … anything goes, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the safety and security of the venue or anyone in it.
The inaugural Words with Friends debuted in June 2011, and takes place once every six to eight weeks, depending on scheduling and venue availability. Words with Friends 2 followed in August, and saw over 20 writers and listeners gathered to enjoy fresh creative voices on stage.
WHEN
Wednesday, October 26, 2011. Meet ‘n’ greet & last minute reader sign-ups at 7:30 pm. Performances begin at 8:00 pm.
WHERE
Words with Friends happens at Bohemia Cafe & Variety Venue, an absolutely incredible space. The owners and staff always provide a very welcoming environment that features great music before, after and in between performance sets, and a nice selection of local beers to drink, in addition to wine, highballs and coffee. Bohemia’s walls are adorned with a plethora of interesting works from local visual artists, which makes for a wonderfully creative atmosphere and fascinating conversation. Bohemia’s stage and sound system really bring the readers’ performances to life.
Please note that Bohemia Cafe has recently changed locations. Their new location is at 10217 97 Street (across from Canada Place). The grand re-opening happens on October 21, five days before the next Words with Friends, if you want to check out the space. The new Bohemia will also feature an expanded bar with a focus on local beers and a larger selection of wine and liquor than in the past.
WHO
Words with Friends was founded by Jason Lee Norman of Wufniks Magazine and Kasia Gawlak of our own KikkiPlanet.com team. As a veteran of Edmonton Story Slam, Jason’s primary genres are short stories and creative non-fiction. Kasia’s focus, on the other hand, tends more toward poetry.
Words with Friends 3 will also double as the official release and launch party for Kasia’s self-published poetry volume, the mourning after – a retrospective compilation of Kasia’s work from 1996 to 2011. Kasia did all of the print layout work for the mourning after herself, and it is illustrated by her long-time friend Andreas Loutas, a naturally gifted visual artist who works in a variety of mediums, including painting, drawing and sketching, screen printing, computer animation, and more. You may have seen Andreas’s work before on the floor mural at Two Guys with Pipes’ Jasper Avenue location. Kasia will be reading from the volume and will have copies available for sale as well.
Stay tuned here for details on who is lined up to read this time around. We will update as information on the roster becomes available.
WHY
Network with other writers and make new friends. Share your work and gain experience in live spoken word performance. Have a few drinks and enjoy an entertaining evening full of fresh ideas and emerging voices in Edmonton’s creative writing community.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you are interested in performing at the next Words with Friends, e-mail Jason at robotsunderwater@gmail.com to let him know who you are and what you have in mind. Although Words with Friends accepts reader sign-ups at the event itself, it is always best to e-mail in advance to ensure your reading slot is secure, and to allow scheduling of readers for time, etc.
Words with Friends encourages writers to bring chapbooks or published volumes of their work to sell at the event.
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WHAT
@Geekized I'd be pressed in the artist got a federal grant to do a portrait in the same style of #Obama Now THAT I'd support. #Harper
