Ontario Open Mic Community

RenJam - Saturday, June 14th

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 17:29:04 GMT

Hello All;

RenJam returns to Toronto's home of good times, the Renaissance Café (1938 Danforth), on Saturday, June 14th. This time, the theme will be "Don't Judge a Band by its Covers." This doesn't mean it's just a covers night, but if you do a weird, wacky or wonderful cover, by all means bring it on.

As usual, we'll have an open stage/open jam with house band and other random musicians available - collaboration is encouraged, but not mandatory.

The featured act will be The Friendless Youngsters, a band that has disrespected tunes by the likes of Radiohead, David Bowie, The Pixies and more.

Sign up is at 8 pm, and things kick off at 9. You can reserve a place by emailing dominicvon@gmail.com or take your chances on the night.

This should be a wicked night of fun and music-making. We hope to see you there!

Cheers,
Dominic & Sarah

P.S. - Christian, Compass and Johnny of "Two Asians and a Caucasian" have already posted their first video of last month's RenJam on their site. Go to ucway.com to check it out.

Monday: Performance poetry at the SkyDragon (Hamilton)

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:46:00 GMT

Hey writers, poets, and fans of books or spoken word:

If you're free this Monday night and anywhere near Hamilton, come check out She Rusty Sleep!
It's a fairly new monthly series that showcases the best poets and spoken-word artists in Hamilton and the Greater Toronto Area, hosted by Kevin Fortnum. There's also an open mic, so if you've got a poem or a short written work to share, bring it and impress the audience with your words.

(And if you're the type who thinks that poetry readings are nothing but boring, monotonous recitations about nature and kittens, well, the headliners this month will surprise you. They know how to put on a show.)

The June features will be two stars of the Toronto scene: slam icon Truth Is.... and satirical performance artist Jeff Cottrill.

Truth Is.... is a poet who uses thunderclap rhythm with a distinctive voice, blending ecstasy and despair. She has been a member of Toronto's national slam team for three straight years and is also a past winner of both the Toronto Poetry Slam and ESC Mississauga Slam. More info here.

Jeff Cottrill is a satirical writer, spoken-word artist, and occasional movie critic who likes to make audiences laugh, cringe, or preferably both. He has performed throughout Southern Ontario and the U.S., and in July he will be embarking on his second U.K. tour. More info here.

Monday, June 9, 8:00 p.m.
Bread & Roses Café, SkyDragon Centre, 27 King William Street, Hamilton
Pay-what-you-can

Hope to see you there!

Sunday night: $100 Slam (Toronto)

Wed, 28 May 2008 17:51:51 GMT

Those of you out there who love the Toronto Poetry Slam should come this weekend to check out the next...

$100 SLAM!

Another one of Toronto's hippest and most exciting spoken-word series. It's a lot like TPS, but smaller and more intimate -- and it pays the winner even more cash.
Hosted by SoulFistikado and Dane Jah Ras. There's also a non-competitive open-mic set for those who want to perform without slamming. So come if you got something to say -- or just want to watch and boo the judges.

Sunday, June 1, 8:00 p.m. (come early to sign up to perform)
The Concord Café, 937 Bloor Street West, Toronto
Suggested donation $5

Tuesday: Plasticine Poetry Series (Toronto)

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 20:47:34 GMT

Yes... another poetry night.

The features at this month's Plasticine will be noted local talents Carla Hartsfield, Jennifer Lovegrove, Sue Reynolds and Jeff Cottrill in this hip-to-jive night of wild poetic styling, hosted by the ever-ebullient Cathy Petch.

Carla Hartsfield has authored three poetry collections, the most current titled Your Last Day on Earth from Brick Books in 2003. She is currently working on a fourth manuscript with the working title of Blackout Journal.

Jennifer LoveGrove has been published in many journals and magazines, and she is currently an editor at Hive Magazine. Her first book, The Dagger Between Her Teeth, was published in 2002. She runs wayward armadillo press.

Susan Lynn Reynolds is a freelance writer and has been teaching writing groups for over twelve years. She is a three-time winner of the Timothy Findley Creative Writing Award. Her novel Strandia won the Canadian Library Association’s award for YA Novel of the Year.

Jeff Cottrill is a fiction writer, spoken-word artist and occasional film critic who has read and performed his work throughout southern Ontario, parts of the U.S. and England. He is also the Literary Editor of Burning Effigy Press.

Tuesday, April 22, 8:00 p.m.
The Central, 603 Markham Street (next to Honest Ed's, a block west of Bathurst), Toronto
No cover (but the fries are good)

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 06:28:55 GMT

Summer's almost here (hopefully)and there's nothing worse than sitting at home with nothing to do.
meetupinto is a community that helps groups of people with shared interests plan meetings and form offline clubs/groups in Toronto. Find a jogging buddy to get in shape for summer. Find people interested in exploring/rediscovering Toronto. Find people who want to watch as many movies as possible. Find people who want to hang out at Tim Horton's and drink as many iced capps as possible. FIND PEOPLE!

This Sunday: POETS UNIT (Mississauga)

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:34:45 GMT

Any poetry fans in Mississauga? Or indie-music fans?
(Or people who make their own writing or music, looking for a forum to perform it at?)

If so, come check out Poets Unit this Sunday night at the Lost Lounge.
The show will include an open-mic session for people who want to share their own music or writing, so bring your own poetry, guitar, or whatever you got!

The featured artists will be: poets Allan Briesmaster and Josh Stewart, spoken-word performer Jeff Cottrill, and musicians Andre Theriault, Paul Norrish and Jackie Downard.
Hookah pipes will be available.

Sunday, March 30, 2008, 6:30 p.m.
The Lost Lounge, 1177 Central Parkway West, Mississauga
Cover: $6

Hope to see you there...

Tonight: The Oral Stage (Toronto)

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:35:49 GMT

Poetry thing happening tonight.
There's also a limited open mic, so show up relatively early if you want to read or perform your own work!

Feb. 2: Saturday Night Love

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 19:07:13 GMT

Saturday Night Love is a night of talent, talk and teaching held every Saturday night at the Nile Ethiopian Restaurant at College and Bathurst at 8:00 p.m.

Come early to sign-up for the open mic!
They had excellent performers on the open mic at their debut show last week...

This Saturday, in honour of Black History Month, for their teaching component, the audience will be learning from some guests who will share their family's history. The talk show topic will be Diasporic Dimensions.
Satirical storyteller and poet Jeff Cottrill will be the featured performer.

Saturday, February 2, 2008, 8:00 p.m.
(show up at 7:30 p.m. or so to sign up for the open mic)
Nile Ethiopian Restaurant, 424 College Street, Toronto
No cover
Website: TorontoPoets.com

Tuesday Night Open Mic at the Casbah Lounge in Hamilton

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 00:20:34 GMT

Former Mayoral candidate and general layabout Matt Jelly hosts a weekly acoustic Open Mic at the Casbah Lounge every tuesday night, starting at 8 pm every week.

While the event is acoustic-centric, performers are also welcome to bring electric instruments as well- the venue is well equipped for whatever you might bring along. Also- comedy and/or spoken word acts are welcome too. The sign up sheet goes out at 8 PM sharp. Each performer is allotted three songs, or a fifteen minute set.

Feel free to join the facebook group here:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22763158792&ref=mf

This Wednesday (Toronto): Writuals!

Sun, 21 Oct 2007 15:38:26 GMT

Like poetry and spoken word?
Need something to do Wednesday evening?
Here you go.

Writuals

This long-running series takes place at the University of Toronto's Arbor Room (Hart House), now hosted by Josh Stewart. There’s an open mic, so come on down and share your verbal daring.

The October show will feature local spoken-word satirist Jeff Cottrill.

Wednesday, October 24, 9:00 p.m.
7 Hart House Circle, U of T campus, Toronto
No cover

Hope to see you there.

Next Tuesday (Toronto)

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 17:00:30 GMT

It's time once again for
COFFEEHOUSE CABARET

...Toronto's best Tuesday-night open stage for all kinds of music, spoken word, storytelling, comedy, back flips, or whatever.
And the two features this week:

1) Truth Is... (slam poet)

2) Arthur Renwick (singer-songwriter)

Truth Is... is a two-time member of the Toronto Poetry Slam team and has had her poetry aired on Flow's OTA Live and CBC's Big City, Small World. In the last month, she has competed in Up From The Roots' 5th Annual Toronto International Poetry Slam. She is heading to Halifax in mid-October for the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word. www.myspace.com/truthisellipsis

Arthur Renwick, artist, musician and professor, is from the Haisla First Nation in Kitamaat, British Columbia and lives and works in Toronto. He has been writing and performing music since 1988 and, most notably, has written, performed and recorded music with Gemini-winner and three-time Juno nominee Jani Lauzon. For the past few years, Arthur has focused on writing his own material and has recently started showcasing his new songs. arthurrenwick.coffeehouse.ca

If you want to perform on the open stage, e-mail here, or just show up early.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007, 8:30 p.m.
Renaissance Cafe, 1938 Danforth Avenue (one block west of Woodbine), Toronto
No cover
www.coffeehouse.ca

WordJam this Sunday

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 19:52:47 GMT

It's time again for one of Toronto's most exciting performance nights: WordJam!

The August features will be slam poet Tomy Bewick and singer-songwriter Tracy Jones.
And as always, there'll be an open stage for spoken word, music, stand-up comedy, or whatever.

If you wanna join the roster of performers, just show up early.

Sunday, August 12, 2007, 8:00 p.m.
Free Times Café, 320 College Street (west of Spadina), Toronto
Cover: $5

Hope to see ya there.

Next Tuesday (Toronto)

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 17:27:48 GMT

It's time once again for
COFFEEHOUSE CABARET

...Toronto's best Tuesday-night open stage for all kinds of music, spoken word, storytelling, comedy, back flips, or whatever.
And the two features this week:

1) Krystle Mullin (slam poet)

2) Ellen Carol & Colleen Costello (singer-songwriters)

Krystle Mullin -- Energetic performance poet who's toured across Canada and implemented a program that integrates spoken word into high schools. Krystle's style and rhythm borrow from folk, hip-hop, and hillbilly practicalities. www.krystlemullin.com

Ellen Carol & Colleen Costello -- Two familiar soloists from the Coffeehouse scene, now gone duo to warm up for the upcoming Sammy Sugar Tour. Street-savvy songstress Ellen teams up with kick-ass drummer/guitarist Colleen for folk-rock bliss. www.ellencarol.ca
If you want to perform on the open stage, e-mail here, or just show up early.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007, 8:30 p.m.
Renaissance Cafe, 1938 Danforth Avenue (one block west of Woodbine), Toronto
No cover (but we might pass the jar for donations)
www.coffeehouse.ca

This Thursday: (Toronto)

Fri, 18 May 2007 19:34:42 GMT

Come share or hear some of the funky spoken-word beats at the next
UNDERGROUND SOUNDS...

Hosted by performance poet lisa "luscious" tai, with spinning by DJ Pablo Hernandez.
This month's show features local satirist Jeff Cottrill, along with an open mic.

Thursday, May 24, 2007, 8:30 p.m.
IV Lounge, 326 Dundas Street West (across from the AGO), Toronto
Cover: $5
www.myspace.com/lisaluscioustai

Thursday: (Toronto) Poetic Justice

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 17:38:17 GMT

THURSDAY: (Toronto) Exciting spoken word and video!

Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:32:52 GMT

Come on out to the next...
DIMENTIA 5

One of Toronto's hottest performance series, this monthly show spotlights the best the city has to offer in spoken word; there's also music, video, and an open mic for poetry and comedy.
Brought to you by Dave "Big Deal" Silverberg, the man behind the ever-popular Toronto Poetry Slam!

And this month's features will be:

Truth Is...
Powerful slam winner with a distinctive voice blending ecstasy and despair -- in her first poetry feature. www.myspace.com/truthisellipsis

Jeff Cottrill
The notorious spoken-word satirist who loves to make audiences laugh, cringe, or preferably both. jeffcottrill.coffeehouse.ca

Also featuring video mashups by Richard Altman.

Thursday, January 25, 2007, doors open 8:00 p.m.
(show early to sign up for the open mic)
The Dominion Pub, 500 Queen Street East (at Sumach), Toronto
Cover: $5

Wednesday: (in Toronto)

Fri, 15 Dec 2006 15:33:18 GMT

Tuesday: (in Toronto)

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 15:12:53 GMT

COFFEEHOUSE CABARET
is back -- with the following exciting features:

1) Electric Jon (spoken word)
2) Yehuda Fisher, aka. nonstrvngartist (music)
... plus, of course, the usual open stage for music and spoken word. Bring your art to share with the world!

Jon Negrych began his career as a Winnipeg teenage polka sensation in 1987, playing tenor saxophone and singing in the Legion band, Fantasia. He then spent four years redefining college radio at the University of Winnipeg. In 2004, he lived in Ireland for seven months where he began honing his craft as a spoken-word artist in the basement of Brogan's Pub in Dublin. He is currently working on his third unpublished novel, Carefully Sealed in the Margarine Container. "Electric" Jon practices a form of literary voodoo and is self-educated in semiotics.

This 27-year-old brass player, singer, songwriter, and actor has been in the Toronto arts scene for years both entertaining and terrorizing audiences, depending on whom you ask. Formerly he hosted and produced Art Attack, a weekly magazine show for CHRY 105.5 FM, and worked as a freelance arts publicist. He now hosts the very successful series WordJam: Poetry/Music Fusion Playtime. Yehuda often plays trombone with the Parkdale Social Club and other local musicians and just released his first CD, Technical Difficulties. More info at www.yehudafisher.com.

Tuesday, December 19, 2006, 8:30 p.m.
Renaissance Café, 1938 Danforth Avenue (near Woodbine subway), Toronto
No cover! (but you should buy beer and support an awesome venue)

WordJam this Sunday (Toronto)

Tue, 07 Nov 2006 21:44:31 GMT

Musicians! Writers!
And anybody looking for a fun evening of art and entertainment, with food and drink...

Come on out to WordJam. Seriously.
The evening will begin early -- with a launch of the new issue of York University's literary magazine Existere.
The mag's contributors will begin reading at 7:00 or so, and will be followed by features Amy Campbell and Catherine Owen! Plus an open stage for music and spoken word.

Defiant and vulnerable, Amy Campbell brings together classical training and folk sensibilities to create music that reaches into human experience and comes back with stories written from the soul. Her voice strong and conversational, her lyrics allow listeners to relive their own losses through the cushion of distance. After years with a band, she has released her debut solo album Architecture: Live At The Opera House through her own label, BattleAxe Folk. Compelling and raw live performances, her songs are 95% guaranteed to break your heart. Her song “Satellite” has been included on two internationally released compilations.

Catherine Owen is a Vancouver poet. Her poems have been published in journals across Canada, and her books include Somatic: The Life and Work of Egon Schiele (nominated for the Gerald Lampert Award), Black Milk, Starvation Landscape and The Wrecks of Eden (nominated for the Dorothy Livesay Award). She also has a CD out, Cusp, and is working on the play Circe and Cougars with La Leona Productions. She is currently completing a book of sequences, FYRE, and a West Coast collection, Seeing Lessons and Frenzy, featuring poems on the fusion of metal music and the troubadour culture.

Sunday, November 12, 2006, 7:00 p.m.
(come early to sign up for the open stage)
Free Times Café, 320 College Street, Toronto
Cover: $3

Sunday Night Madness (toronto)

Sat, 21 Oct 2006 16:35:17 GMT

Come one, Come all

This Sunday night at the Gladstone Melody Bar: Find your Band Night! Bring your instruments, even a kazoo, and play your heart out. Us at the Haunted Fishtank know a few too many people who are looking for a band; let this be our gift to you.

And my usual message to the poets: COME OUT AND PLAY!

Sunday October 22
9pm-??
Open Mic
Hosted by Molle Dorst and Marnie (this is probabily Marnie's last night with us so lets celebrate in style!)

Gladstone Melody Bar
Gladstone and Queen West
Parking across from the Drake
TTC stop right outside!

Message me for details.

xposted

This Thursday! (Toronto)

Sat, 23 Sep 2006 16:53:35 GMT

Haunted Fishtank

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 01:55:49 GMT

Last Night's Haunted Fishtank was off the hook! It was Josh's Birthday and a fundraiser to help raise money because he is going to the Airwaves Indy Music Festival in Iceland. We raised a LOT! I was working door all night. I also got a little camera happy... and took a LOT of pictures.

The lineup was the best of the best from the last 9 months of the Haunted Fishtank's open mic nights. I've only been doing open mic for a couple months, and I can't believe i scored a spot on the list! Come out on sunday.. every sunday... and get your turn!

Undadogg

Orangutan

Jessica Mitchell

Ravi Persaud

Kent leggett

Emer

Declan o'driscoll

saglara

Kevin Howley

Anna Cyzon

Ingrid Johansson

Furious Bastard

Ory No'Man

Jason white

Keith lobo

Ivy & kerry 'the krippler' knight

The Reason

Matt Harsant

Troy jackson

Czech Dave

Jay Morneau

Molle Dorst

In order of appearence... I went up twice, but no pictures of me... :(

Haunted Fishtank

Tue, 12 Sep 2006 01:56:57 GMT

Who: Anyone who thinks they have what it takes, that means YOU!
What: Its an open mic, and that means, yes you can go up and show off your stuff!
Where: The Gladstone Hotel (Melody Bar) Queen West and Dufferin basicly. TTC stops right outside. Toronto
When: usually starts at 10.30 but I get there at 10. Its every Sunday night. cover is usually 3-5 $
Why: Because you are bored and have nothing better to do on a sunday night. Not to mention your love for the open mic!
How: if you need directions or anything, leave me a message.

Haunted Fishtank

Sun, 10 Sep 2006 21:07:39 GMT

Here are two pictures I took last week at Haunted Fishtank (the weekly open Mic i read at). I think they are mostly featuring Marley. I love the stage lighting!!!!!!

Jay, Josh and Marley

No fucking clue.

Grey Borders, Tuesday in St. Catharines

Thu, 07 Sep 2006 19:53:25 GMT

Are you a poet? Or any kind of writer?
Or, just want to enjoy an evening of fine art and entertainment?

If so -- check out the Grey Borders reading series in St. Catharines, this Tuesday the 12th.

Created by Niagara Falls writer Jordan Fry (who runs the small press of the same name), this monthly series includes an open mic of prose, poetry and spoken word, as well as at least one featured writer, with an energetic audience. So bring your best work and share it with the world... or just come to listen.
And this month, the feature will be:

JEFF COTTRILL

Jeff Cottrill is a satirical spoken-word performer based in Toronto. His stage act often uses elements of performance poetry, comedy, theatre, or storytelling. With a darkly comic flavour, he likes to make audiences laugh, cringe, or (preferably) both. Jeff has featured in literary shows all over Toronto as well as in several U.S. cities and even in London, England. He has also written arts reviews, interviews and articles as well as (gasp!) relationship self-help. He has published two chapbooks, Cruelty and Kindness (2002) and Karaoke Dogs (2003), and in 2005, he released his first CD, Cracktastic!. Jeff likes movies, travel, and puppies. He is currently working on his fourth or fifth attempt at a first novel. View his web page here.

WHEN: Tuesday, September 12, 2006, 7:30 p.m. (arrive early to sign up for the open mic)
WHERE: The Merchant Ale House, 98 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines
COVER: Free!
WEBSITE: www.greyborders.com

Hope you can make it out...