Philipsburg:--- According to event organizer Lysanne Charles, the annual poetry event Winter's Words has been scheduled for Wednesdays, February 1 & 8, from 7:30-9:30pm at Top Carrot Restaurant in Simpson Bay.Charles, who also organizes Summer Speaks, said that the event would only run for two nights this year due to time constraints and said that the theme was "The Naked Truth".
"This is the third instalment of Winter's Words, but the sixth instalment of the both series combined and I wanted to have the featured poets really come out and bare their souls with the audiences, some of the members who have shown up at least once during all the instalments," Charles said.
She explained that the format for the evening had changed a big from the usual dinner and poetry to something a little more intimate.
"Before the emphasis used to be on both the dinner and the poetry and sometimes even the dinner first and then the poetry as a backdrop, but this time the poetry will be most prominent and instead we will have a buffet of snacks for the audience to munch on while they get settled. Anyone who has dined at Top Carrot can tell you how delicious the food is and owner Peter Bonev is preparing platters which will be just as scrumptious," Charles said.
Charles said that the number of poets featured had also been reduced for this series, from five or six per night to three, with each poet reading for roughly 15 minutes. The first night's line-up consists of Giovanni "Gino" Olivacce, Lorenzo "Sigma" Gomez, and Charles herself. Other veteran Summer Speaks and Winter's Words poets have also been asked to come and make presentations in the open mic part of the evening and Charles is also encouraging audience members who may be aspiring poets to come out and share their work.
"The beautiful thing about these series is that they are safe spaces where poets and performers can present their pieces. Over the years the poets have really come together and are eager to hear what each other have created. So newcomers should not be afraid to take the mic if the urge arises," Charles said.
Charles said that while the line-up for the following week has already been confirmed she would release it closer to the performance date. She also said that the MC for both nights would be Clara Reyes, the founder and director of Imbali Center for Creative Movement.
"Clara has been a long time supporter of both Winter's Words and Summer Speaks and she is always the most creativity, energetic MC. I look forward to sharing this event again with her this year," Charles said.
Charles said that the cost of the evening was $15 which covers the snack buffet and one drink. Other drinks would be on sale at the bar. She also said that rather than buying tickets audience members should reserve a seat with her at 586-1266 or Top Carrot at 544-3381.
