Spreading world peace through poetry. It's no small mission, but that's just what World Poetry New Westminster has its sights set on.
On Oct. 23, World Poetry New Westminster is marking the fourth anniversary of its Night Out events with a celebration at the New Westminster Public Library, 716 Sixth Ave.
Awards will be presented to the City of New Westminster, the Arts Council of New Westminster, the New Westminster Public Library, Chief Rhonda Larrabee of the Qayqayt First Nation, city poet laureate Candice James and Enrico Renz.
The night will also mark the official launch of the World Poetry Canada International Peace Poetathon, which the local group hopes will spread across Canada and around the world for one year.
The idea is for poems focusing on peace to be shared and celebrated in various locations - starting right here at the fourth anniversary night out - and spread through individuals and organizations reading at timed events.
The World Poetry website says it's important for the poets to focus on peace.
"Our brains are not hard wired for peace," it says. "However, they are hard wired to fight or flee. Peace is a learned skill that needs to be focused on, learned and practiced. The poets, writers, musicians, dancers and artists of the world can make a difference. We are a world family and can use our combined and creative powers to build changes for peace."
Local groups, schools and individuals can add their voices to the movement. Want to know more? Check out www.worldpoetry.ca.
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Two poets laureate shared the stage at the recent Royal City Literary Arts Society membership drive.
The event, held Sunday, Sept. 22 at the Heritage Grill, featured Fred Wah, the Canadian parliamentary poet laureate, along with Richard Olafson and P.W. Bridgman. It was hosted by Candice James, New Westminster's own poet laureate.
All three of the featured readers became members of the Royal City Literary Arts Society, which is currently up to 61 members - most based locally, but some from as far afield as India, Australia and the U.S.A.
"Although our main base is the Royal City, we are striving for a global networking which will be a boon to our members when they travel, as they will be able to liaise with other members in the area they will be visiting," James noted in an email, pointing out they'll be able to find open mike events, schedule themselves as featured readers or just find the best places to stay and eat.
If you aren't already acquainted with the Royal City Literary Arts Society, they're a busy bunch - they present workshops at the New Westminster Public Library and host a series of ongoing events celebrating various literary forms, including Poetic Justice, Poetry in the Park, short story nights and songwriter nights. Check out www.rclas.com.
Got a Lively City item? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie by email, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
