VALLEY VOICES POETRY FESTIVAL (Friday & Saturday)

<p>Readings and workshops for all who love to read and write poetry <br />Valley Voices Okanagan is hosting a two-day poetry festival in Kelowna, November 17 – 18, 2023. <br />This festival is organized by Valley Voices, a collective of Okanagan writers which hosts events, readings, and book launches for and with local writers. Their mission is to provide ways for communities up and down the valley to hear the voices of writers who live, work and write here. <br />This fall, the Kelowna group has organized a weekend of poetry-focussed workshops and readings, all free and open to the public, and featuring Okanagan poets. <br />“We are partnering with several community organizations to hold this exciting series of live readings by outstanding local poets and six amazing writing workshops,” says Nancy Holmes, one of the Kelowna members of Valley Voices. “All of the events and writing workshops are free, but people need to register ahead of time for the writing workshops.” <br />The Friday November 17th reading will launch the newest book Lady Bird by Vernon poet Kerry Gilbert with more readings by UBCO advanced poetry students. The Saturday night November 18threading will feature acclaimed poets Sarah De Leeuw and Margo Tamez. Both of these readings will take place at 7 PM at the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art (#103, 421 Cawston Ave, Kelowna). <br />Saturday, November 18th at the downtown Kelowna library (1380 Ellis St) will be all-day poetry with readings and workshops from 10 am – 5 pm. A noon-hour reading will feature Kelowna poet Lesley-Anne Evans and Vernon poet Virginia Dansereau. Poets, aspiring and established, are invited to attend any or all of six workshops offered throughout the day, from BYOP (Bring Your Own Poem) which will give you feedback on a poem you’ve already written, to workshops on the image and on the heart of the poem to help you write a new work, from a presentation on self-publishing to an introduction to Spoken Word. There is something for everyone who has a poet in them. <br />Find out more information on the festival website: https://www.valleyvoicesokanagan.com/ or go to the Okanagan Regional Library events calendar: https://www.orl.bc.ca/whats-happening . People must register for the workshops through either of these sites. The readings are free, open to the public and all are welcome without pre-registration. </p>