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Poetry slam event provokes, evokes and entertains (10 photos)

33 poets compete for cash prizes at Ontario International Poetry Slam in Guelph

They came to laugh, cry, shock, enrage and enlighten Saturday as the Ontario International Poetry Slam attracted 33 poets to the River Run Centre.

The event, put on by Guelph Spoken Word and run by creative director Mark MacKinnon, offered a rare chance for spoken word artists to compete for cash prizes on the Co-operators Stage.

Thirty-three took up the challenge, including poets from Quebec, New Jersey and Ohio.

No props. No music. Original pieces only. Three minutes and 20 seconds maximum.

Topics ranged from date rape and child sexploitation to racism and mental illness. From the loss of comedian Robin Williams to an poignant comparison between the Palestinian/Israeli conflict and Toronto Maple Leafs fandom.

Preliminary bouts in the afternoon were free and the paid-entrance final drew roughly 200 people to hear the final 10 poets.

Tommy Bewick, a construction professional from Burlington, took home the $3,000 top prize.

Cassandra Myers of Richmond Hill placed second and won $1,500 and third place went to Brampton's Bassam, who earned $500. Fourth place finisher Twoey Gray won entry into next year's event.


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Tony Saxon

About the Author: Tony Saxon

Tony Saxon has had a rich and varied 30 year career as a journalist, an award winning correspondent, columnist, reporter, feature writer and photographer.
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