Poets & Friends: readings by six poets who work closely with other poets

WHAT: An intimate afternoon of poetry and community, featuring readings by six poets who work closely with other poets.

WHERE: Christ Church Deer Park (Arthur Smith Room), 1570 Yonge St, Toronto, ON (Use Heath St. W. entrance)

TTC: Yonge and St. Clair, one block north of the St. Clair TTC.

THE VENUE: This will be an in-person event, in a large, comfortable, accessible room with good air circulation.

MASK POLICY: Masks are strongly encouraged.

BOOK SALES: Books will be sold at this event, on a cash-only basis.

Heather McHugh once defined poetry as “a suitcase that you can never stop unpacking.”

What if you had fellow travellers? Or even one dedicated friend/reader/collaborator who could commit to helping you sift through poetry’s bag of delights?

This unique event features six poets — five from Toronto, and one special guest from the U.S. — who have worked closely with other poets to hone their art, in some cases over many years. We’ll explore what it means to have a ready-made audience of one trusted reader, and share examples of how those poetry relationships have shaped our work and helped it, and us, evolve. Then we’ll launch into reading the poems.

In a delightful, last-minute development, we are also hoping to receive a special visit from Molly Peacock, who, if she is able to attend, will bring copies of her new book, A Friend Sails in on a Poem (Palimsest Press, 2023) and read one or two poems inspired by her longtime friendship with the poet Phillis Levin.

What to expect:
Each poet will speak briefly about their collaborative arrangements with another poet or poets, then read for about fifteen minutes. There will be tea and cookies and opportunities to mingle (we have the room until 4:30). We’ll distribute physical copies of some poems and project others onto a screen during the readings, for ease of following along. This event will be recorded (but not livestreamed), and an edited version will be available upon request.

Venue:
This is an in-person event, held in the beautiful Arthur Smith Room at Christ Church Deer Park, a lovely, high-ceilinged space with plenty of couches and comfortable armchairs. Additional seating will be available, and if you get there early enough, you’ll be able to get one of the plush seats.

COVID protocols:
Masks are strongly encouraged. Please err on the side of caution when deciding whether to attend this event. If you have been in contact with anyone who has COVID, or if you have any COVID-like symptoms, please stay at home and get well!

Access and Accessibility:
This is a fully accessible venue, with a ramp at the Heath St. W. entrance and an elevator that goes to the lower level, where the Arthur Smith room is located.

To enter the building:
Christ Church Deer Park is located on Yonge St., one block north of St. Clair TTC station. Use the side doors on Heath St. W., then follow the signs to the Arthur Smith room.

Optional RSVP:
All are welcome to this free event. No RSVP is required, although it would help us plan if you let us know you’re coming. Feel free to either email Lee Parpart (address below) or click on the big blue RSVP button on the event site, at https://www.universe.com/events/poets-friends-tickets-Z719KV.

Questions? Prefer to RSVP by email? Email Lee Parpart at leeparpart@gmail

Poets & Friends are grateful to be grateful to be working and holding this event on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, Anishnabeg, Chippewa, Haudenosaunee and Wendat peoples, on Treaty 13 and Williams Treaties lands.