RBY: POETRY JAM (Session #8)

Yup. That’s the joint. That’s the jam.

This poetry jam; a live collaborative flowing experience of poetry-storytelling through live musical stylings and scoring of rap, r&b, soul and jazz to bring an improvised cinematic podcast.

It's an overlapping community of folks blending together to listen, explore, respond and enjoy the jam session of word, sound and power.

Hosted and led by poet David Delisca, partnering organically with a band of talented instrumentalists and vocalists intersecting with a feature lineup of poets in addition to an open mic, open jam for folks that want to poetically blend their lyrical literature with the crew’s improvisational musical scoring.

Bring your own poems or just come to listen and enjoy the vibes. Whether you're a seasoned poet or new to the scene, everyone is welcome to share their work in a supportive and inclusive environment.

This is Session #8 - Theme: Iron Sharpens Iron.

We lay bars to architect

Surface intersections of sounds

Pass in bounds the holy grid

Of the Wu-Tang cypher

Waves travels faster the deeper

The "we" are

What's rust if one brother

Sharpens another?

Our featured guests Patrick De Belen, Shelly Grace and Main Man

This night of poetic expression and creativity is happening at Toronto's top music venue, The Drake Underground on Wednesday, April 24th. Doors at 7:30. Show starts at 8pm.

A gathering. A showcase. A jam.

Where we blend edges and radius

Into the spaces in between,

Relating through rhyme, reason and rhythm

And releasing into the magnitude of the moment.

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Host:

David Delisca - House poet, bellaphone, djembe

Guest Band:

Cameron Tinklenberg - Keyboard

Rudy Ray - Trumpet, Percussions

Anthony Daniel - Congas, Percussion

Aubrey McGhee - Saxophone

Joe Callendar - Flute

Morgan Answer - Bass

Guest Vocalists:

Janïsa

MC:

Elle De Lyon

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Admission:

$15 - Online (Eventbrite)

$PWYC - Online Til April 21st

$20 - Door

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FEATURED POET LINEUP

Patrick de Belen

Patrick de Belen is an award-winning poet, filmmaker, educator and storyteller of many other mediums. His poetry, films and other projects often explore themes of mental illness, the Filipino-Canadian experience, social justice, youth empowerment and advocacy, grief and healing.

He is most known for his poetic collaborations with the Toronto Raptors, the NFL, CBC, his 2 spoken word EPs and multiple cine-poems and independent films he wrote and directed himself.

When he isn’t onstage, or writing, he is an educator and youth mentor, partnering with many institutions like addiction centres, mental health focused organizations, libraries, schools, jails and more - advocating for storytelling opportunities and platforms in as many spaces as possible.

Shelly Grace

Shelly Grace is a Toronto-based spoken word poet, photographer, and arts educator. She uses her art for community building and healing and focuses on the experiences of women and the Black community. In 2022 she was named Toronto’s Breakthrough Artist by the Toronto Arts Foundation, and JAYU's Emerging Artist of the Year.

In 2019 she won the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word while on the Up From The Roots slam team, becoming a National Spoken Word Champion. She is currently on the Toronto Poetry Slam team. She is also actively involved with VIBE Arts on their emerging artist roster, where she works as an art educator and performer. She is an artist and organizer with IBLV TV, founded by celebrated Toronto artist Jermaine Henry. She has competed internationally as well, representing Canada in three American competitions.

Shelly is focused on the power of storytelling and has been working to have visual art be a part of her method.

Shelly has contributed significantly to Toronto's arts and culture scene through various professional and artistic roles. Previously working with BSAM Canada, now Oddside Arts, in a marketing/admin capacity, she helped the organization continue doing great work. She collaborated with them on a project, "Among Us," that honours the significance of Emancipation Day in Canada, the project was just announced as a nominee for Heritage Toronto’s 2022 Public History Award, CABR and the City of Toronto supported this project.

Shelly continues to be unapologetically Black, loud, giving, and a force.

Main Man

Jermaine Henry aka Main Man is a Poet and Performer who empowers audiences with his energy, poetic affirmations and lyrical prowess.

He stems from the Spoke N' Heard legacy and is author of IBLV Dreams: A Vision Guide.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Underground, 1150 Queen Street West, Toronto, Canada