Welcome

We are extremely proud to present our all-new program for Words Aloud 4. As always, we will be hosting some of the finest poets and storytellers in Canada. In addition to our regular series of spoken word concerts, we are introducing several new satellite events facilitated by a generous grant from the Ontario Ministry for Tourism. These include:

• a Thursday night play about freedom of expression, The Taxi Project, sponsored by PEN Canada, followed by an open stage for local poets, storytellers and singer/songwriters. 
• a Saturday afternoon children’s program with poetry and storytelling suitable for families with younger children, co-ordinated by the South Grey Bruce Youth Literacy Council;
• a Saturday afternoon Poetry Slam for teens at the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library,  in partnership with the Library;
• and a Sunday afternoon Poetry Slam hosted by the Toronto Slam Team. For a definition of “Poetry Slam” see entry on Satellite Events page.

After the Poetry Slam, all are invited to follow our celebratory parade to the Durham Art Gallery for the final Sunday concert.  

Video footage will be taken of all events for the archive and educational documentary about our poetry festival.  Like the satellite events, the making of this film has been made possible by the Ontario Ministry for Tourism Celebrate Ontario Grant.  For more about the documentary project see Festival Info, Documentary page.

Tickets are now available for online purchase.  We recommend tickets for concerts and workshops be purchased early.

Presented by the
Words Aloud Poetry Collective
in association with the Durham Art Gallery

Words Aloud gratefully acknowledges the support of the Ontario Ministry for Tourism, Heritage Canada, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, the League of Canadian Poets, the Municipality of West Grey, and our generous sponsors: Mosaic, United Media Arts, Edgehill Country School, Ann Wylie Toal Designs, M’wikwedong Native Cultural Centre, Image Business, Millennia Books, The Garafraxa Street Bookstore, Spruce Ridge School, PEN Canada, The South Grey Bruce Youth Literacy Council, The Chicory Common Cafe, Rogers TV, RVS Drapery, Gary Byers, Dunlop, Johnson & Pust, Barristers & Solicitors, The Hanover Public Library, Above Stedmans, The Métis Centre, The Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library, The Colour Jar, Akimbo and our amazing volunteer community.