**Update – The Blinks: Ignition

Sunday, April 23, 2023
6:30 pm, doors open at 6:00 pm
The Aviary, 9314 – 111 Ave. N.W.
Free

Start your poetry engine—the Blinks is back! We’ve had to idle for a couple of years, but it’s time to rev up again in a fast-paced evening where dozens of poets will step up to the stage and turn the key.

What’s a Blink poem? It’s Edmonton’s own feat of poetic engineering, a sleek sparkplug of words, a poem delivered in—gasp—less than 30 seconds.

Words have the power to move. They can make us laugh, wonder, weep. So, fire up that creativity, sign up to take part and craft that powerful image to ignite hearts. Or just come along to the Aviary and hear how much energy can be injected into half a minute.

The rules are easy:

  • Sign up through THIS LINK
  • Prepare your 30 second poem – rhyme, rap or haiku. You can’t go over 30 seconds or the Blinks Philharmonic will rev up and drown you out.
  • Sign up through the link we will provide here on April 2nd
  • Show up on the night and …
  • Make us blink!

Sign-up now open                            Sign-up deadline April 15th

Poets’ Haven, March 26 – Audreys Books

Up Next at the Haven!

Audreys Books, 10702 Jasper Ave.

Sunday, March 26, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (no admission fee)

Features Poetry by:  Gary Garrison, Phyllis Shuell, Naomi McIlwraith, Daniel Poitras

Mic Host: Max Vandersteen

Open Mic:  Sign-up (2-min. poem)

Welcome all! See you at the Haven! Bring your friends! New and first readers are always welcome and given priority during the Open Mic.

AGM Afterwords – A message from the president

Our thanks go out to all the Stroll members who ventured downtown to the Stanley A Milner Library to take part in our Annual General Meeting last Sunday. Seeing all the faces of those in attendance was a pleasure that we have been unable to enjoy for a few years. The conversations, the discussion and the in person meeting were all pleasurable. The library loft location was a fine spot to convene. The election was a success and the Open Mic was enjoyable. The exit from the parkade, however, was a formidable challenge!

Our ultimate gratitude is extended to Janis Dow, our outgoing president, for her infinite efforts in running the board and the Stroll of Poets during the past two years, particularly in light of the challenges arising due to the Covid restrictions. What a terrific job she has done in enhancing the legacy of the Stroll of Poets Society. And appreciation is offered as well to John Leppard for the moving tribute he shared in honour of Janis.

Recognition also goes out to Trudy Grienauer, our Returning Officer, to Ellen Kartz, our registrar, and Deborah Lawson our Anthology editor and distributor that day.

The drive, commitment, and dedication of the following individuals is truly to be acknowledged. It looks to be a fruitful and promising year ahead.

Congratulations go out to the members elected to the 2023/2024 Stroll Board:

  • Max Vandersteen – President
  • Naomi McIlwraith
  • Alice Major
  • Ann Gerard Marshall
  • Markus Eymann
  • Kayleigh Cline
  • Leslie Dawson
  • Audrey Brooks

A warm welcome also to associate board members:

  • Dorothy Lowrie
  • David Fraser  

In peace and poetry;
Max

2023 Annual General Meeting

All Stroll of Poets members are cordially invited to attend our 2023 AGM and obtain the first release of our popular anthology. The event will take place on Sunday, March 19, 2023. Registration starts at 1:30 pm with the meeting starting at 2:00 pm.

This year we are excited to be returning to an in person meeting at the Stanley Milner Library, #7 Sir Winston Churchill Square for our AGM and anthology launch. It will be upstairs in the Learning Loft 2. When you arrive, please proceed to the Customer service desk where a security guard will accompany you up to the sixth floor as it is a private floor and there’s no public access.

We’ll provide coffee, tea and a light snack. The best option for parking is the parkade under the library. Hopefully you’ll be able to join us as it’s certain to be a wonderful afternoon.

Membership renewals and donations to the Stroll will also be accepted that day.

Please see the Stroll weekly newsletter for links to the AGM Package.

Poets’ Haven – March 13

Upper Crust Café, 10909 86 Ave.

Monday, March 13, 7:00 pm, $5 admission (includes desserts and coffee)

Features Poetry by:  Trevor Hughes, Loren Marsden, Louise Fairley, & Alice Major

Mic Host: Dorothy Lowrie
Door Host: Jessica Coles

Open Mic:  Sign-up (2-min. poem)

Welcome all! See you at the Haven! Bring your friends! New and first readers are always welcome and given priority during the Open Mic.