VERSe Ottawa

06/02/2026

Laurie Koensgen’s poetry has appeared internationally in more than 100 journals, anthologies and online magazines. Her fourth chapbook, this clingstone love, is with Pinhole Poetry Press.

Hear Laurie's new work at Planting Seeds presented by Ottawa Poets Laureate.
Details and tickets here:
https://www.verseottawa.ca/en/event/plantingseeds

06/01/2026

DON'T BE AFRAID TO BE BAD doesn't just have prompts, it also teaches you about different poetry forms. This book by Ollie Schminkey is now available on Button Poetry's website!

05/29/2026

Join Ottawa English-Language Poet Laureate David O'Meara on an engaging nature walk through the Bill Holland Trail and the Fletcher Wildlife Garden with interpreter Sandy Garland and eight poets sharing new work in response to the gardens and their inhabitants.

$20 - All proceeds go to the Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library.

If there's sufficient interest, a second walk - at 12:30pm - will be scheduled.

Full details and tickets here (or use the QR code in the image):
https://www.verseottawa.ca/en/event/plantingseeds

Featuring:
Sneha Madhavan-Reese
Conyer Clayton
Anita Lahey
Blaine Marchand
David O'Meara
DS Stymeist
Ellen Chang-Richardson
Laurie Koensgen

Please note: If the weather is bad, we'll reschedule to Sunday, June 28.
The Fletcher Wildlife Garden is near 865, Prince of Wales Drive.

Cet événement est exclusivement en anglais.
Restez à l'écoute pour les événements bilingues organisés cet été par nos poètes lauréats Véronique Sylvain et David O'Meara.

D.S. Stymeist David O'Meara Conyer Clayton, Writer and Editor Sneha Madhavan-Reese Anita Lahey Blaine Marchand Ellen Chang-Richardson

05/26/2026

See you tonight!

~*~

Interested in knowing more about VERSeFest and related poetry activities in Ottawa? Maybe you're even considering joining our team?

Come to Verse Ottawa's 2026 Annual General Meeting, which will take place on Tuesday, May 26 from 6:30PM to 7:30PM at the Ottawa Public Library Sunnyside branch (1049 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1S 3W9) in Room 1B.

Zoom attendance is also available.
Send an email to [email protected] to register and receive the Zoom link and meeting material.

05/25/2026

We got some good news today.

Thank you to Canadian Heritage' Canada Arts Presentation Fund for your generousity!

05/13/2026

Interested in knowing more about VERSeFest and related poetry activities in Ottawa? Maybe you're even considering joining our team?

Come to Verse Ottawa's 2026 Annual General Meeting, which will take place on Tuesday, May 26 from 6:30PM to 7:30PM at the Ottawa Public Library Sunnyside branch (1049 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1S 3W9) in Room 1B.

Zoom attendance is also available.
Send an email to [email protected] to register and receive the Zoom link and meeting material.

05/04/2026

Join us for an open mic with a feature performance by our 2026 CIPS Representative, Dahlia Lesh!

😷 FACE MASKS REQUIRED
📅 Fri, May 8
📍 The Origin
⏰ Doors 7:00 | Show 7:30
💵 Tickets at the door, PWYD (suggested donation: $10)

Link in bio for more details!

Sign up for the open mic at the door. Poets who sign up to perform are not required to buy a ticket.

[Image description: Image text reflected in caption. Graphic with a faded image of a crowd at a poetry slam on a bluebackground. Yellow leaves and translucent topographical linework surround a circular portrait of Dahlia Lesh. At the bottom of the graphic is the Urban Legends logo.]

03/31/2026

From poet Jaye Simpson:

“If they’re gonna eat me alive, I want them to have to chew.” Poet, activist, and drag performer jaye simpson revisits her childhood.—-----------------------...

03/30/2026

Thank you to all our magnificent poets, to our supporters and partners, and thank YOU to everyone who came out this year!

See you soon!