Overlaps, Orbitals, & Origins - Happy National Poetry Month
GoodGreets, PoetryPeeps!
People’s Poetry Fest 2023 Photo By Jennifer Slebioda
As you may know, I curate 3 online Poetry Reading Series with The Indie YYC;
The Indie YYC Inspires…
The Indie YYC Speak Up!
The Indie YYC The Two Beat
Inside of these realms, I’ve attempted to make spaces, invent places, and carve out niches for Poets to contribute Voetry in certain and specific capacities.
Satellite Spotlight is such a slice in this Literary Life.
In this universe, I feature Orbital Orators, Peripheral Poets, not from Calgary, but nearby, from other cities, from across the province, from across Canada.
I have been recently featuring Irena Kagansky-Young, Torontonian Poet, Musician, Artist, Friend.
In one of her latest contributions to The Indie YYC, she mentions names of others that go way back into my first years of Performance Poetry.
I thought that I’d give them all some gratitude, thanks, and Honourable Mention for being in my personal and poetic lives for so long - and introduce you all to some of the people that were there from my very start.
Norman Cristofoli was the first Toronto Zine Publisher to put my work into print. The packet of Poetry that I sent to him, he stated that he loved, but it was the piece: ‘My Decision’ which prompted him to call me up and ask basically: “What The F*ck?!” Norman was also the sole, forerunning force of Salons in Toronto, and I made many an impression and connection because of them.
Thank You, Norman.
Valentino Assenza and I have been fellow Poets, Spoken Word Artists, and friends ever since we met - and we go back - all the way to The Idler Pub, where I landed my very first feature performance. He is the host of HOWL 89.5 FM UofT Radio in Toronto. Without a shred of comparison, I will state that he stepped in beautifully and graciously after we all lost our friend - the great Nik Beat - who hosted this show for years. You’re doing excellently and I’m so happy to see where your voice has taken you.
Thank You, Valentino.
Nik Beat was a Toronto Culture Legend and he gave me my very first radio appearance EVER - on HOWL, and maybe two more appearances after that. In our first conversation, he stated: “I guess we should call you ‘A-Wake-Field Brew-Star’ ”, due to the splash I made when I hit the scene. Corny, funny, quirky, Nik. 23 years later, and I wish you could see me now, MyMan. I believe it was 2015 when we lost Nik, and he is still deeply missed, lovingly remembered, forever a legend in people’s minds, and hearts, and souls.
Thank You, Nik.
We Miss You, Nik.
We Love You, Nik.
David Silverberg is the wonderful Poet, playwright, journalist, and friend that wrote my recent 4-page story in Avenue Magazine. 20-odd-years ago, he featured me multiple times at Suburban Spoken Word, we bonded with Valentino Assenza during those Idler-Daze, and he has also been a friend since my humble, yet highly-spirited beginnings. This man is a pillar of strength and community in the Toronto literacy/culture scenes, and he is releasing his one-man show as we speak. Wishing you more and more and more success…
Thank You, David.
Irena -
It is your last chunk of biography in your fifth orbit of The Indie YYC Inspires… Satellite Spotlight - that has prompted this lengthy bit.
It is a testament to our very own connection, my connections to others, connections that define intersectionality and have made me a far better person than I would ever have been without:
Norman Cristofoli
Valentino Assenza
Nik Beat
David Silverberg
And you - Irena Kagansky-Young
Thank You All and MadLove.
~W.
P.S. Most honourable mentions to Laura Rock, Glenda Fordham and Michael Oesch because LOVE.
~W🧙🏾♂️🎙️
