Join us for an exclusive chat with current Provincial Poet Laureate Testament and former Parliamentary Poet Laureate George Elliott Clarke.
These iconic Poets will discuss their journey with poetry; the legacies they have created and share original poetic creations. The floor will also be open for a question-and-answer period, so come prepared to ask about something that is on your heart.
This event will be hosted by Ty the Poetess, Barrie’s present Poet Laureate. A special Poetry reading from guest Bruce Meyer, Barrie’s Inaugural Poet Laureate will also shape the day.
Books by the various poets will be available for purchase on the day.
About George Elliot Clarke:
George Elliott Clarke is the 4th Poet Laureate of Toronto (2012-2015) and the 7th Parliamentary/Canadian Poet Laureate (2016-2017). Born in Windsor, Nova Scotia, George Elliott Clarke was an English Professor at the University of Toronto. Clarke has also taught at Duke, McGill, UBC and Harvard. He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards for his work, including numerous honorary doctorates, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award, the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Fellowship Prize, the Planet Africa Renaissance Award, and appointment to the Order of Nova Scotia.
George Elliott Clarke is the author of numerous collections of poetry including Saltwater Spirituals and Deeper Blues (1983), Lush Dreams, Blue Exile: Fugitive Poems 1978-2993 (1994), Execution Poems: The Black Acadian Tragedy of George and Rue (2001), which won the Governor General’s Literary Award, Illuminated Verses (2005), Black (2006), and the dramatic poem Trudeau: Long March, Shining Path (2007). In our library collection, you may find Whylah Falls (2000), Whiteout: How Canada Cancels Blackness (2023) and Where Beauty Survived (2021)
About Testament:
Matthew-Ray Jones, also known as Testament, is Ontario's 2nd Poet Laureate (2024-Present). Hailing from Mississauga, Ontario, Testament is a connoisseur of anything and everything involving words. From poetry, spoken word and emceeing to facilitating, hosting and keynoting, Matthew-Ray has been using his natural speaking abilities to inspire audiences for over 20 years. His mother is his hero. She endured many hardships throughout her life and made sacrifices so that Matthew-Ray could pursue his dreams. She provided him with a diary at age 6 that inspired the artist to start his writing journey through self-expression.
Matthew-Ray has performed and taught nationally from coast to coast in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Nunavut, and British Columbia. He has performed internationally in Venezuela and Italy and has travelled to six continents.
To date, he has recorded three albums and shared the stage with Talib Kweli, Naughty by Nature, Biz Markie, GZA, Kardinal Offishall, Saukrates, Da?M-FunK and more. He co-founded an artist collective called P.E.A.C.E. (“People Everywhere Actually Co-existing Equally”) helping people realize they are 'a piece of P.E.A.C.E.' through poetry, HipHop, music, workshops, presentations and trainings.
A father, artist, entrepreneur and revolutionary, Matthew-Ray uses his passion for words, art and life to motivate, inspire and lead. He trusts in the values of peace, love and unity as his guiding principles as he continues to spread his message worldwide.
AGE GROUP: | Teens | Seniors | Adults |
EVENT TYPE: | Writers & Artists | Special Events | Culture & Arts | Authors |
Our Downtown Branch is centrally located in the Downtown core at the corner of Worsley and Owen Streets. The building and facilities are fully accessible. Enjoy a beverage or a small snack from our Café located inside the lobby, use our complimentary wifi, experiment with technology and maker tools, or soak up the sun on our Rooftop Reading Garden.
