VERSeFest 2026 : March 24-30, 2026
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$75
Festival Performance Pass
Admission to all individual events (except the two poetry workshops) from Wednesday though Sunday
$25
Tuesday Night Pass
$15
7:00 PM Eastern: la série de lecture RIVERBED reading series
CLUB SAW • 67 Nicholas Street, Ottawa
Hosted by nina jane drystek
$15
8:30 PM Eastern: VERSeFest presents
CLUB SAW • 67 Nicholas Street, Ottawa
Hosted by Chloé LaDuchesse
$25
Wednesday Night Pass
$15
7:00 PM Eastern: VERSeFest presents
Arts Court Black Box Studio • 2 Daly Avenue, Ottawa
$15
8:30 PM Eastern: Arc Poetry Magazine
Arts Court Black Box Studio • 2 Daly Avenue, Ottawa
Hosted by Kayla Calder
$25
Thursday Night Pass
ULPCxVERSeFest Invitational Slam
Join Urban Legends Poetry Collective for the return of the VERSeFest Invitational Poetry Slam (the first since 2021!) with a feature performance from Sheri-D Wilson.
Apply to compete for the $300 grand prize here: https://forms.gle/xFkWCu4jgweRHNRV8
Applications are due February 28th at 12:00 PM
$15
8:30 PM Eastern: Qu’Art
CLUB SAW • 67 Nicholas Street, Ottawa
Hosted by Glenn Nuotio
Qu’ART presents quick cruising:
poetry spots offered for 3 local poets, who will each read works for up to 3 minutes
Interested Ottawa-based 2SLGBTQIA+ writers can apply for consideration by sending a sample of their work and a bio before March 1st to queerart2019@gmail.com . Priority will be given to BIPOC writers and to those new to VERSeFest
Poets selected will be contacted and announced by March 16th
$25
Friday Night Pass
$15
7:00 PM Eastern: Common House Magazine
Happy Goat Laurel • 35 Laurel St
Hosted by Grace Wildman and Leanna Dias
$15
8:30 PM Eastern: Versefest presents
Happy Goat Laurel • 35 Laurel St
Hosted by Chloé LaDuchesse
$20
10:30 AM Eastern: Workshop with Paul Vermeersch
Ottawa Public Library, Elmvale Branch • 1910 St. Laurent Blvd.
The Poet as "Small Language Model" in the Age of LLMs.
Description: This workshop will explore how our unique voices are nurtured and developed in a time of mass automated homogeneity, and why that uniqueness is vital to the survival of culture. Bring what you write with.
Pre-registration required, spaces limited to fifteen participants.
Contact rob at rob_mclennan@hotmail.com if you need a low-income ticket for this workshop.
$20
1:30 PM Eastern: Workshop with Sheri-D Wilson
Ottawa Public Library, Main Branch • 120 Metcalfe St., Ottawa
Poetry Without Borders
Poetry beyond page meets the stage. There is no formula, only voice, and the expression of truth.
Through intuitive cross-disciplinary exercises, I’ll delve into the art of hybridity, fusing forms and genres that awaken new modes of thinking.
Bring your tools.
Pre-registration required, spaces limited to fifteen participants.
Contact rob at rob_mclennan@hotmail.com if you need a low-income ticket for this workshop.
Hear special guest Sébastien Rock along with readings by Kado members.
Free
3:00 PM Eastern: The Factory Lecture Series
Arts Court Black Box Studio • 2 Daly Avenue, Ottawa
Hosted by rob mclennan
$15
7:00 PM Eastern: VERSeFest Presents Early Show
Arts Court Black Box Studio • 2 Daly Avenue, Ottawa
Hosted by Stephen Brockwell
$15
8:30 PM Eastern: VERSeFest Presents Late Show
Arts Court Black Box Studio • 2 Daly Avenue, Ottawa
Hosted by Christine McNair
Free
2:30 PM Eastern: VERSeFest extra
Carleton University, Dunton Tower 2017 • 1125 Colonel By Drive
A reading and Q and A with Karen Solie
Presented in partnership with Carleton University's Department of English
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