Organizers are calling the 6th annual Words Aloud Festival in Durham their best yet.
Artistic Director Carole Warren says the event premiered the much-anticipated Words Aloud documentary at the Durham Art Gallery Thursday night.
The movie was written and produced by festival founder Liz Zetlin and filmed during the 2007 Words Aloud.
As for this year’s performances – Warren says they’ve put together impressive line ups for the shows at the Durham Art Gallery on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
A total of nine artists will hit the stage – hailing from Ontario to Vancouver to New York.
Warren says the highlight may be the performance by Issa, a critically acclaimed musician and songwriter formerly known as Jane Siberry, on Saturday night.
Saturday night also features an original play, “Rutabaga Rescue”, led by talented local puppeteers at Victoria Jubilee Hall in Walkerton.
Warren says she’s excited to announce that the popular poetry slams are back, at Durham Town Hall and the Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library.
The public is invited to perform their own pieces and then vote for their favourite.
Some of the festival’s performers will also be offering workshops – Warren says they range from confidence building exercises to breathing techniques.
Warren says they never dreamed how popular the festival celebrating the spoken word would become.
For exact times, locations, and ticket prices for all the events at the 2009 Words Aloud Festival – visit www.wordsaloud.ca