Spoken word poet Dash Reimer (Submitted Photo/Dash Reimer)

By Derek Craddock

LETTING IT OUT!

Ready to bloom: Poetry event in P.A. hopes to inspire youth to share their heart

Apr 16, 2024 | 12:54 PM

Using just a pen, paper, and a regular microphone, youth in Prince Albert have the chance to express themselves through the art of poetry.

On Tuesday, a Youth Poetry Open Mic Night takes over the Jam Street Shared Arts Space on First Avenue West.

The event was organized by Jam Street and professional spoken word poet Dash Reimer.

Adreanna Boucher with Jam Street explained how the event came together.

“I was doing workshops through the Sask Arts Live Arts program and he (Dash) was the facilitator coordinator for that, so we connected that way and so when Dash decided he wanted to do this tour of Open Mics for youth through the Write Out Loud Collective, he reached out to me to see if Prince Albert could put something like that on,” she said.

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Speaking to paNOW, Reimer who also performs hip hop and is involved in literacy arts education, talked about his experience as an artist, noting that it started when his parents encouraged him to be creative.

“They would make us do our homework, then they’d make us write them a story for fun, but it was in high school when I was in Grade 12, I just moved back to Canada from living overseas and the librarian in my high school invited in some spoken word poets who performed,” he said.

“I loved what they were sharing, I loved the way that they were so open and honest, and I could see this whole audience of youth responding to that.”

From there, Reimer would land himself with the Write Out Loud Collective in Saskatoon and has performed on many stages in the province.

He said this will be the first time he performs and hears from youth in Prince Albert and shared the one thing he’s looking forward to the most.

“Getting to see what sort of things P.A. youth are writing about. I’ve gotten to be in a few different events around Saskatchewan and some youth poetry, but never in P.A.”

When asked if there is a hunger for this type of art form in Prince Albert’s youth, Boucher said there is, adding there is something unique about poetry and storytelling.

“When youth are given the opportunity to write or to share their stories in any way, whether that’s through poetry or writing, or songwriting or singing…they jump at it,” she said.

“Once we crack open that shell just by giving space for writing and creating of any kind and they dabble their toes in the water, they bloom.”

Reimer said his experience of being a spoken word poet has allowed him to express his emotions and encourage others to do the same. Despite COVID-19 and government restrictions cancelling arts events and closing venues in the past, Reimer said there’s still a need for young people to show their creativity and share the story behind their written words.

“I think all young people feel these huge emotions and direct them somewhere, and oftentimes, dance, writing, whatever it might be, is an outlet for them.”

This event is being done in tandem with similar events across Saskatchewan, leading up to the Prairie Wide Youth Poetry Festival from July 5-8.

The Youth Poetry Open Mic Night starts at 7 p.m. and admission is by donation.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com