Free Times Cafe

The WordSpell Collective has been showcasing women and gender non-binary spoken word poets in Toronto since 2012!

We kick off our 2020 shows with two exceptional poets: Alessandra Naccarato & Ayla Lefkowitz. This is a not to miss show!

FEATURE'S BIOS:

ALESSANDRA NACCARATO is the recipient of the 2015 RBC Bronwen Wallace Award in poetry and the 2017 CBC Poetry Prize. A two-time finalist for Arc Magazine’s Poem of Year and the Edna Staebler Personal Essay Prize, she holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia. She has toured nationally and internationally as a spoken word artist, and is the poetry editor of Write Bloody North Publications. Her debut poetry collection, Re-Origin of Species (Book*hug Press, 2019), was named a Best Book of the year by CBC Books.

AYLA LEFKOWITZ is a Toronto-based poet, educator and social entrepreneur. She is a 2017 Canadian Festival of Spoken Word champion and published author of her poetry anthology titled Armour. Outside of performing, Ayla is Co-founder and Co-Executive Director of CANVAS Arts Action Programs, a non-profit organization that educates on gender equity, consent and LGBTQ2S+ inclusion. Through poetry and movement, Ayla uses her platform to challenge stigma about sexual violence, mental health, and motherhood.

Accessibility: The venue is wheelchair accessible (power chairs do fit). Stage area is in the back of the restaurant. There is a ramp at the front entrance. Washrooms are on the main level, but are quite narrow and not wheelchair accessible. There is a nearby business that will allow bathroom usage. **If you have any accessibility needs, please feel free to let us know in advance if there is anything we can do to help you.*

We acknowledge the Ontario Arts Council for their funding support.