A literary event that champions the spoken and written word, while supporting vital literacy programs, is taking to the Guelph Youth Much Centre stage on Friday, April 22.
Action Read Community Literacy Centre annual event For the Love of Words is generally a packed event that showcases the beauty and power of words, and the critical importance of literacy.
The event is a fundraiser for Action Read programs, a way of spreading the word about what the organization does, while gaining allies and new volunteers for the work it does, said executive director Mira Clarke. The organization has been around for nearly 28 years.
“For the Love of Words raises critical funds for our literacy programs,” she said. “As well, through the event we hope to raise community awareness and understanding of the important service Action Read provides to our amazing learners. FLOW is an event that celebrates human expression through poetry, spoken word and music.”
Action Read helps those learners gain the literacy skills they need to express themselves, and to more actively participate in the life of their community, she added. Basic literacy skills are needed in an array of necessary activities, including the use of computers, the sending of emails, and things like financial planning. Many of Action Reads programs prepare people for the workforce.
“It is very fitting for Action Read to raise funds in a way that so closely aligns with our mission and organizational values,” Clarke added.
FLOW is happening in the intimate performance hall setting of the Guelph Youth Music Centre, 75 Cardigan Street, beginning at 7:30 p.m on Friday. The spoken words offered at the event are intended to inspire, challenge and entertain the audience.
Last year, renowned, highly entertaining, and controversial poet George Elliott Clarke was a headliner. In a press release, he called last year’s poetic offerings inspiring and the audience “rapturous and enthusiastic.”
Again this year there is a blend of musical and poetic performances. Spoken word artist Truth Is…will roll out her tough, rhyming, politically charge verse, accompanied by The Rainbow Chorus.
New Brunswick poet Shane Neilson, author of numerous books, including “Exterminate My Heart,” and “On Shaving Off His Face,” is part of what Clarke called an impressive line-up of poets. That line-up also includes Guelph’s Madhur Anand, author of the acclaimed “A New Index for Predicting Catastrophes,” who is known for blending poetic language with scientific insight, judge/poet James H. Clarke, and Guelph’s Andrea Perry, author of the just released “Rise” from Vocamus Press.
“People need poetry,” Mira Clarke said. “They need to contemplate and reflect on their lives, and enjoy the power of language and words.”
Guelph publisher and author, Jeremy Luke Hill of Vocamus Press will emcee the event, which includes musical performances by Madison Galloway. Three Action Read adult learners will speak about their journey to literacy. A silent auction is also part of the event.
“Some of the projects we’ve been involved with in the last year include a number of things that help people get prepared for work,” Clarke said, including cash register training, receptionist training, and basic reading skills those who want to read for personal fulfillment and independence. Action Reads also offers family literacy programs that support young children and their parents.
Low literacy remains a significant problem in Canada, and here in Guelph, Clarke said. Competency levels fluctuate, depending on what skills are needed to survive in the world.
“Literacy skill requirements seem to be going up, and there are still many people who do not have those levels of skill,” she said.
Tickets to For the Love of Words are $20, and are available at Action Read, 2 Quebec St. Suite 220, the Bookshelf at 41 Quebec St., and at the door. Find more information on their website here, or on Facebook here.
All proceeds go to Action Read's free adult and family literacy programs. The non-profit organization is funded by Employment Ontario and the United Way of Guelph, Wellington and Dufferin, among others.
