Josephine LoRe
Calgary Arts Development
Suite #501, 237 8th Ave. SE
Calgary, AB T2G 5C3
Attn: Calgary Poet Laureate Nominations
To the Calgary Arts Development committee,
My name is Josephine LoRe and I am writing to support the nomination of Wakefield Brewster as Calgary’s next Poet Laureate. I first heard Wakefield perform at the Calgary Tower—at the base, in the elevator, at the top with the city splayed behind glass beneath us. His words, his rhythms, his message are enchanting. Spellbinding. Inspiring. His poems speak a deep truth, the truth of struggle, race, love, environmental responsibility, hope.
I have seen Wakefield spearhead initiatives to bring poetry to the community, and not just to showcase his own words. He was the brainchild, creator, curator and host of Poetry at La Patisserie, a weekly gathering of poets, open mics and features. He provided a safe, non score-based venue for the exploration, development and the sharing of poetry and voices. He continued in this vein in a second venue, creating, curating and hosting Pitbull Poetry.
In 2018, Wakefield organized a living tribute to Josh Forbes, a member of the Calgary poetry community who is now confined to a wheelchair because of MS, whose ability to project his voice is compromised. There were poets chosen who had a link to Josh, and each presented two poems – one was a poem by Josh; the other, a poem inspired by or connected to Josh.
Wakefield is the MC and curator extraordinaire of YYC The New Beat. The premise: live music as a backdrop to poetry, no rehearsal, no previous collaboration. The result is pure magic. Again, open mic and features. This event is live-streamed for those who are not able to attend live, on the second floor of a vintage Ingelwood building.
I have also seen Wakefield perform at a Writers’ Guild of Alberta event, pairing wine and poetry. He had the room mesmerized. He commands an audience and owns the stage. He is poetry in motion, and his onslaught is sometimes overwhelming, in a good way. Images lodge, to be turned over afterwards in the quiet of the mind. He can rat-a-tat us, bombard us, lull us … make us think and make us feel. He speaks of human nature … people, problems, potential solutions. Wakefield advocates for The Humanities, Addictions and Recovery, the Healing Arts and Mental Wellness. He embodies what he speaks. He harnesses the power of the word, is a master of it.
Wakefield has been instrumental in helping me develop as a poet. My style is lyrical, as different from his as can be, but he has steadfastly encouraged me by inviting me to feature at his venues and including me in the living tribute to Josh Forbes.
I have had the honour of collaborating with Wakefield on a few projects. I published the chapbook Unity through Loft 112, and created a poem meant for four distinct voices. Myself, Wakefield, Miranda Krogstad and Chris Evans performed it at the Loft 112 launch and again at Shelf Life Books.
Upon the passing of Patrick Lane, I created a cento based on Washita entitled ‘no trail to the fragments of your hair’. This poem is included in my second collection of poetry, The Cowichan Series, and was featured in The League of Canadian Poets' Poetry Pause. Wakefield and I performed it at the Cowichan Series launch at Owl’s Nest Books and again at The New Beat YYC.
And in February of this year, Wakefield was one of the Feature Poets at the Alexandra Writers’ Center monthly reading at Owl’s Nest Books, Unplugged. I contacted him to ask if he would perform the Unity piece with me, and the feedback from the audience was incredible. He shines on stage, and collaborating with him is a delight.
Wakefield’s work has been published in numerous anthologies and voice recordings. He is a three-time Calgary Poetry Slam Champion and Team Captain. He has been Poet in Residence and is the first Resident Poet and Spoken Word Artist at the Grand Theatre in Calgary.
He has been in Calgary schools as a poetry coach and mentor, and in the department of Social Work at Mount Royal University and the University of Calgary. His roots go deep in the poetry community here in Calgary. He is humble. Gracious. So embracing. A wonderful person, a true golden heart.
There are many poets I know and have worked with who would be qualified to act as Poet Laureate. I believe though, because of his actions and his contribution to the community of poets in Calgary, Wakefield is the strongest candidate. I wholeheartedly recommend Wakefield Brewster as the next Poet Laureate of Calgary.
Josephine LoRe
enjoy the gifts of the day!
Josephine LoRe
https://www.JosephineLoRePoet.com
