Poetry recitation prowess
A Vancouver student has won the English stream of the national Poetry in Voice competition for the second year in a row. Roan Shankaruk from Vancouver Technical secondary won $5,000, plus $1,000 for her school’s library. Half of the money is reserved for the purchase of poetry books. Leo Chang of St. George’s school won third prize in the English stream. The finalists were selected from 30,000 students from more than 370 schools.
Poetry in Voice is meant to encourage appreciation of the beauty of language while instilling a sense of confidence through public speaking. Scott Griffin, chairperson and founder of the Griffin Trust for Excellence in Poetry, founded Poetry in Voice, which is now in its fourth year. Students compete in one of three streams, English, bilingual or French.
Hip-Hop play, May 22
Sal Capone: The Lamentable Tragedy Of follows a young hip-hop group caught in the aftermath of a violent police shooting, inspired by the real-life death of unarmed youth Fredy Villanueva in a police shooting six years ago in Montreal. While struggling to cope with the death of one of their members, the group confronts their own biases, racism and distrust of authority.
Montreal native and Vancouver resident Omari Newton penned Sal Capone, which is directed by Urban Ink artistic director Diane Roberts. The Vancouver premiere happens at the Roundhouse Performance Centre, May 22 and runs until May 31.
For more information, see urbanink.ca.
Food 4 Thought Gala, May 23
Twice a month, Backpack Buddies provides 300 needy children in Vancouver with food to sustain them through the weekend. The Community First Foundation is hosting a gala at Science World, May 23, to raise money to continue to provide hungry kids breakfasts, lunches, dinners and health snacks.
Those who want to contribute and have a night out can attend a multi-course dinner with an open bar for $250 or a cocktail party for $75. For more information, see communityfirstfoundation.ca.
Inner City Blues, June 5
Speaking of hungry kids, Vancouver blues, R&B and soul musicians will share the stage at the Edgewater Casino, June 5, to raise money for breakfast programs at two East Vancouver elementary schools: Queen Alexandra and Strathcona. Performers include Jim Byrnes, Incognito with Nadine States and James Buddy Rogers. Inner City Blues starts at 7 p.m. at 750 Pacific Boulevard South.
Tickets are $15 at Stadiumclub.ticketleap.com.
Opera and Cyber Bullying, June 6 and 7
Canada’s newest indie-opera group, Opera After Hours, has teamed up with Stop a Bully to tackle Baroque opera and cyber bullying.
This won’t be a typical night at the opera. Instead, the audience for #DidoAndAeneas can interact with the characters in person and through social media as teasing turn into malicious mockery. Stop a Bully will provide audiences with information on how to prevent and report bullying. #DidoAndAeneas happens at Café Deux Soleils, 2096 Commercial Dr., June 6 and 7. The show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets at brownpapertickets.com.
crossi@vancourier.com
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