Mother Tongued - BIPOC & Pan-Asian Poetry Open Mic Fundraiser

Event Theme: Poetry of love, desire, friendship, community, etc!

We invite both performers and attendees to bring forth and share their personal works or works of published poets that encapsualte our theme of Love and/or acts of care.

All levels of experience and works in progress (WIPs) are not only accepted but warmly welcomed!

H eadline Performer Application- DEADLINE FEBRUARY 5th, 2024!

Our Fundraiser Cause: Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction (TIHR)

"Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction (TIHR) emerged in April 2020 during the first wave of the COVID19 pandemic in response to a massive shutdown of frontline services and a lack of basic needs for Indigenous houseless folks in the city of Toronto. Over the past year, we have provided basic needs, access to critical health support & covid 19 testing, harm reduction supplies, sexual, reproductive health and prenatal support, traditional medicines, traditional food, expressive arts, and ceremony to some of our most vulnerable people. TIHR aims to reduce the negative impacts of substance use and other stigmatized behaviours and experiences through culture and unconditional support. TIHR is an entirely queer and Two-Spirit Indigenous collective founded by Nanook Gordon, co led by Brianna Olson Pitawanakwat and supported by Dashmaawaan Bemadzinjin (They feed the people) and countless volunteers. To date TIHR has served over 3,000 meals to the encampments and Indigenous street folks."

About Mother Tongued Tkaronto:

Mother Tongued Tkaronto organizes monthly poetry open mic nights centring BIPOC & Pan-Asian voices and languages in a literary and arts community so often dominated by white voices and the limitations of the English language.

We encourage performers to speak their first/preferred language/dialect during their performance but ultimately leave it up to their own discretion and artistic style. English-speaking performances are welcomed as well!

Poets may choose to translate or explain key themes of their pieces or not!

Mother Tongued is a not for profit event currently relying on our donors, sponsors and awesome volunteers to create a great time. Our funding go towards accessible venue costs, PWYC/Free options, travel costs and honorariums for performers and future events. We strive to make this a safe and comfortable space for our community. We are more than open to receiving feedback, advice and suggestions. Our DMs are always open.

Discriminatory language/actions, heckling, harassment, and indecency are not tolerated at this event.

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