Vic Slam Team takes 12th at CFSW 2010

Wow. We're home again after a whirlwind week at the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word (CFSW) in Ottawa (www.cfsw.ca).

CFSW Expands
This was the first time in CFSW history that there have been 18 teams competing from all over the country, including new teams from Guelph, Edmonton, Burlington and Petersborough. That meant that there were two venues for Ottawa fans to choose from.

We counted that we've each seen roughly 200 poems this week. That's a lot of inspiration. My personal favourite was the Saskatoon Love Poem by Saskatoon's Slam Master Charles Hamilton.

Victoria Slam Team
Our team pulled first in the first bout Tuesday night - a tough spot. But they had the perfect poem - a team piece called, "We didn't come here to win" that woke everybody up and got a lot of laughs. Matthew Christopher Davidson also dropped a brand new poem, "Believer" about struggling with your faith that brought tears to my eyes. Although the team finished in 4th place (out of 4) that bout, they did very well.

Their second bout out Victoria brought it with well-polished and beautifully crafted poems, including two team pieces "a DJ saved my life" by Steve Thompson and "Soldier" by Matthew Christopher Davidson. The team cleaned up taking a 2nd and losing to the veteran team Up From the Roots who went on to be in the semis.

Victoria finished 12th out of 18 teams - another strong finish for Victoria.

Experience
My favourite moment was definitely the Geek Showcase where all participants shared their nerdiest poems and we all laughed so hard we cried. I think the best part of CFSW is not the competition it's the community.

Next year CFSW will be held in Toronto. Can't wait!

CFSW Speaks Out: Sheri-D Wilson

Last year she ran the whole show, this year she's one of the top features. We sat down with the Mama of Dada herself, Sheri-D Wilson, and got her to share a few thoughts about the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word...

CFSW: Last year CFSW was in Calgary and you were the festival director. How does it feel coming to be a feature performer this year?
SD: Great! And I look forward to seeing everyone.

CFSW: You are hosting/festuring at CFSW's first-ever Erotica Show. What can people expect from you in terms poetic sexiness?
SD: If expectations are necessary – then I think, expect the ridiculous, the absurd…there’s nothing more erotic than humour.

CFSW: You're a mover and shaker in the world of Canadian Spoken Word, how would you describe the importance of CFSW to the evolution and community of Spoken Word?
SD: The CFSW brings the Slam Community together to share – poetry and ideas in a peaceful forum – supportive - and to learn.

This is rare
And will continue to expand
The possibilities of Spoken Word
As the oldest tradition and the newest form
Of poetry and performance

This form has a life of its own
Always changing
Transforming

CFSW: You've been called the mama of dada. How would you describe your performance style?
SD: In a state of discovery.

CFSW: Finally, the Dating Game question: If your poetry was a chinese fortune cookie, what would the fortune be?
SD: Eros with a Beat.

Sheri-D Wilson will be hosting the Erotica Show Wednesday night at the Victoria Event Centre, and performing in the women's showcase on Thursday at 3:30. For information about all shows at CFSW 09 visit our website www.cfsw09.com.