Poetry Night at The Artists’ House
Join us for an open mic evening of poetry, connection, and creative expression in a warm, welcoming space. Whether you're reading, listening, or just soaking in the vibes, you'll be part of a vibrant literary community. Rotating hosts keep things fresh, and special guests—including featured authors and poet laureates—add a spark of inspiration. Come share your voice or be moved by others. All are welcome! Poetry books sales are welcome too. This is a PWYC Event.
This months writing prompt is
Music in the mundane
Choose a sound from daily life (a refrigerator hum, subway brakes, typing keys, your own breath, the furnace starting up) and translate it into language. These sounds are so ordinary that we stop hearing them, yet each one carries a mood, a memory, a hidden meaning. What does that sound carry beneath its surface noise?
Meet our November 21st Poetry Night Host Allison Bothley.
Allison Bothley is a writer and recovering MFA (The New School) who lives in Orangeville, Ontario. Her work has appeared in The Globe and Mail, White Wall Review, Sad Girl Diaries, Literary Review of Canada, and elsewhere.
She is the creator and publisher of Bangs Zine, an independent space hot for big feelings, emerging writers, and lazy Sunday readers. New edition will be available at Poetry Night.
A zine is a small, independently made publication—often crafted, copied, and shared by hand—that celebrates niche voices and creative freedom outside traditional publishing. Now in its 9th issue, BANGS Zine continues to embody the raw spirit of DIY publishing, a welcoming space for emerging writers and artists to ditch the gatekeepers and build community, one handmade page at a time.
Excerpt from Allison Bothley’s “Ambush”.
Oh bliss, listening for the word
we lounge in pajamas
abundant with pantry and static visions
until mother kicks us out! out! Outside
begins the rap of mitten hands.
Roll call of winter’s making:
the bread bag boots, the mucus rivers,
the pink cheeked, and the fire breathers.
We take in the day to shovel and
shape the sparkling clay.