EVENTS: Celebrate National Poetry Month at the Ottawa Public Library

Ottawa City Hall. Photo/Devyn Barrie

Via Ottawa Public Library

Celebrate National Poetry Month with creative and fun programs and events at Ottawa Public Library this April!

Share poems by your favourite poets and discover poetry of all genres by joining us for POEtry KAraoke on Monday, April 8 at Bar Robo. Hosted by poet Colo Toth, this is an opportunity to read works that inspire you and to share your inspiration with others in a friendly atmosphere. BYOB (bring your own books) or choose a poem from our book selection pulled from OPL’s great collection. You are welcome to read a poem in English or French. Admission to the event is free and everyone is welcome.

Create your own poetry throughout the month with fun programs at branches across the city. Get to Blackburn Hamlet branch and play around with cut-out words and phrases to make your own poem, or stop by North Gloucester branch to try “Blackout Poetry” using a page from a discarded book and blacking out words to create a poem. Kids and teens can enjoy a poetry creation station at Osgoode branch, and cut-word poetry at Metcalfe branch should be a draw for teens with a poetic vision to put to words.

Adults, teens, kids - poetry is for everyone and every age! Carlingwood branch will be hosting author Grant Savage for a Haiku workshop (waiting list) on Saturday, April 20. Beaverbrook branch’s Teen Book Club is exploring the Novel in Verse this month and Alta Vista branch will be celebrating with PD Day Poetry Fun with kids on Monday, April 8.

Of course, the Library’s love of poetry does not stop at the end of April!

On May 4, Carlingwood branch will be hosting award-winning and widely published Ottawa poet Jenny Haysom to ask, “In the age of global warming, can we still write poems that celebrate the natural world and look on it in wonder?” (waiting list).

On Monday, May 13, explore the performative side of poetry with Tanya Evanson, Director of the Banff Centre’s Spoken Word program. Teens and adults are invited to join this workshop on poetry writing and performance, and to bring original writing to further practice their craft.

Discover the many other programs that explore and celebrate poetry throughout the year at Ottawa Public Library.