Poets On Campus series starts at Mal-U

Experience poetry the way it was meant to be – live and out loud during weekly poetry events at Malaspina University-College.

Over the next eight months, talented poets from all over Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland will spend an evening in the Malaspina Library to read and discuss their love of poetry during the Poets On Campus series.

"There's something about having poems read out loud that infuses them with a whole different kind of energy," said Poetry Events Coordinator and Malaspina creative writing student, Ev Nittel.

"A good poem read out loud will sizzle in the ear and trail goose bumps down the arm. Also, hearing a poem read by the poet who wrote it really gives a sense of what that poet hears in the piece. Quite often it's different than what the reader hears when reading the piece."

The first event is, appropriately, a workshop on How to Read a Poem Out Loud with poet and retired Malaspina English professor, Timothy Brownlow. The interactive workshop is on Sept. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Library Reading Centre.

Brownlow, an accomplished poet with 40 years of teaching experience, said knowing how to read a poem properly is as much a part of being a poet as the writing is.

"I was pleased to be asked to talk about this topic as I think it is a neglected one, and one in need of discussion," said Brownlow, whose most recent book is a collection of 26 sonnets called Climbing Croagh Patrick, inspired by his childhood in Ireland.

"I have always, in my teaching, stressed the aural/oral nature of literature, but that approach went completely out of fashion for about two decades. I have seen something of a revival since then, and am eager to be associated with it. To read with conviction and passion is an art."

The rest of the Poets On Campus events will follow every Monday, 6 to 8 p.m. in the Library Writing Centre at Malaspina’s Nanaimo campus. Brownlow’s workshop is followed by a reading with Victoria poet Rhona McAdam, Sept. 18. McAdam’s poetry is anthologized and published internationally. She will be reading from her most recent poetry collection, Cartography.

Vancouver poet Amanda Lamarche follows close behind McAdam with a reading from her highly praised collection, Clichiest, Sept. 25.

Local poets are then invited to bring their own work for an Open Mic night, Oct. 2. Show up a few minutes early at the door to reserve your time in the spotlight, or email Ev at evnittel@gmail.com.

Admission to all Poets On Campus events are free, but donations are gratefully accepted. For more information, visit the Poets On Campus website at www.viu.ca/poetsoncampus.