Sauga Poetry is a collective of Mississauga-based poets dedicated to creating a spoken word hub in Mississauga by hosting open mic, slam* and workshop events. Valuing community building, organizational longevity, collaboration, respect, accessibility and transparency, they strive to create a welcoming space that offers everyone an opportunity to participate. The organizing team includes poets/spoken word artists Lisa Shen, Qurat Dar, Paul Edward Costa and Tahira Rajwani.
We want to provide an ongoing space for poets to gather in community, build connections, and develop their creative practice. – Sauga Poetry
In May 2023, Sauga Poetry started hosting Sauga Poetry Open Mic, a monthly poetry/spoken word event. At the time of writing, this event takes place at Mississauga non-profit community hub Studio.89 on a Sunday night. Each event includes a featured artist and offers an opportunity for attendees to perform their own poetry/spoken word piece. Attendees can come to the event as audience members and/or performers – and all experience levels are welcome. The open mic performance list is based on a random draw of those who sign up; and those interested in performing are asked to sign up when they arrive, any time before the show starts. The number of open mic slots, timing of the event and venue may be subject to change; please check their Instagram page and other social media channels for details and updates.
Spoken word is an art form that helps facilitate healing, community ties, and social justice. Our event will be a safe place to discuss difficult topics, as well as for marginalized identities.
– Sauga Poetry
(Photo credits Sauga Poetry: Above top left & right: May 2023 featured poet Andrea Josic; Above bottom left: June 2023 featured poet Shelly Grace)
What we like about this poetry group
We love that Sauga Poetry is a poetry/spoken word hub that operates in Mississauga. Part of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and located just west of Toronto, Mississauga has a rich and diverse arts community – one that may often be overlooked. We also appreciate how this is an artist-run collective – artists supporting artists – that saw both a need and an opportunity to offer spoken word events and workshops in the community. With so many arts & culture resources and events focused in Toronto, we’re very happy to see that Mississauga area spoken word artists – especially young artists – have a place to gather, experience poetry, and present and develop their work. (Written by C.M.)
Accessibility information: They aim to make their events as accessible as possible, through PWYC tickets and wheelchair-accessible venues. Masks are provided and encouraged.
Ideas for where you can go from here:
- Visit Sauga Poetry and follow them to keep up to date with their upcoming events.
- Buy a ticket to one of their open mic events. If you’re in the area, consider submitting your name for a performer slot.
- Visit Studio.89’s website to see what other arts & letters events they have going on.
- If you’re not in the GTA, see if there’s a poetry/spoken word open mic event in your area and plan on attending or participating.
We love poetry groups, societies and associations because they inspire you to learn from others as you write and perform your own poetry. Learning from others as you write and perform your own poetry allows you to become part of a poetry community. Becoming part of a poetry community is part of the flourishing offline life Young W helps you discover: by exploring POETRY and the other 8 pillars of Arts & Letters, including those you may be hesitant to try.
* Slam events are competitive poetry events, performed in front of a live audience and a panel of judges.
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