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Win prizes for your poems at this special Poetry in the Park session

Poetry lovers in New Westminster, take note. Poetry in the Park is back again at the Queen’s Park bandshell for its regular Wednesday evenings. Each session, running from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., includes two featured poets and an open mic session.
Poetry in the Park
Poetry in the Park is back at the Queen's Park bandshell on Wednesday evenings this summer.

Poetry lovers in New Westminster, take note.

Poetry in the Park is back again at the Queen’s Park bandshell for its regular Wednesday evenings. Each session, running from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., includes two featured poets and an open mic session.

This week, July 24, is a special PIP PIP Hooray, Open Mic Contest Day.

If you want to take part in the contest, show up at 6:30 p.m. for sign-up (sign-up ends at 6:45 p.m.). Each poet has a chance to read either two short poems or one long poem (not exceeding five pages in length). Remember that it’s a family-friendly event, so poems must be appropriate for family audiences.

Every audience member will vote for their top five favourite poets, who will move on to the final round. For that round, poets can choose to read new poems or re-read their first-round offerings. Judging will again come from the audience, and the top three contestants will win prizes.

The July 31 session will feature Natasha Saje and Barry Plamondon, while Aug. 7 will see Andrew French and Angelica Poversky in the spotlight. On Aug. 14, you can hear from Tolu Olurontoba and Kyle Hawke, while Aug. 21 will feature Elaine Woo and Kyle McKillop. The sessions will wind up Aug. 28 with Carlie Blume and other featured readers to be announced.

Poetry in the Park readings take place rain or shine; if it rains, the fun moves indoors to Centennial Lodge, just across the road from the bandshell. See www.rclas.com for all the details, or just turn up in the park to take part.

Also on the poetry front, Poetic Justice/Poetry New West is continuing its regular Sunday afternoon readings at the Heritage Grill, running from 2 to 4 p.m. There’s an open mic, prizes, trivia, writing prompt and more, and it’s all free. It’s hosted by Warren Dean Fulton.

The Heritage Grill is at 447 Columbia St. Check out the Poetic Justice group on Facebook for all the details.