We've blogged about the Toronto Poetry Slam before, but performance poetry is being taken to the next level next week with the arrival of the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word (CFSW). Taking the stage in various locations around Toronto from October 11-14, 2006, the CFSW will assemble the best slam poets from across the country in a battle for spoken word supremacy. In addition to the national slam championships, the festival will also feature workshops, open mic sessions, and spoken word-related events throughout the day.

After a second-place finish at the CFSW in Vancouver last year, the Toronto slam team is set to take the championship on home turf this year. I strongly suggest you check out the CFSW website for program information and schedules so that you can come out and give our team a proper home-field advantage.

In preparation for the CFSW, I'll be featuring some interviews with poets and organizers starting this Sunday, and will be covering many of the events during the festival. Be sure to check back regularly for updates.

See you all at the festival, and if you're planning on attending any of the events, give me a shout, it will be great to see you all there.

(Image: Dr. Ross)