Raving with the Poets: Edmonton’s Not-So-Conservative Voice
Are you looking for something different? Daring? A peek, or even a plunge, into Edmonton’s art scene? Then be sure to check 
out the Raving Poets, a multisensory experience of live open-mic poetry and improv music in the middle eastern-style tavern of the Kasbar (104th and Whyte).
With a near cult-like following, poets have been reading their best with the Raving Poets since 2000, sharing drinks with fellow artists and cheering on friends in an atmosphere unlike anything else in Edmonton.
The Raving who?
It all began ten years ago when a group of musicians and poets banded together to create something new: a place where anyone was welcome to walk in off the street and read their poetry aloud.
The founding-fathers, Thomas Trofimuk, Mark Kozub, Randall Edwards, and Gordon McRae backed up each poet with an improvised sound-score on bass, guitar, drums, and
keyboard, while Mike Gravel hosted, narrated, and urged newcomers on.
Their philosophy? Well, it’s “not something that can be written. It is akin to a ‘feeling’ and only hangs semi-translucent in the air on a Wednesday night when the band is ripping and the poet at the microphone is leaning back into the music and the two streams are in a gorgeous confluence… The Raving Poets are whoever happens to be there to witness the moments, to be a part of a moment.”
Could that be you?
Then jump right in!
The Raving Poets hosts two reading series a year, in spring and fall, with the next series set to run Wednesday nights from September 30 to December 2.
Anyone interested in reading tosses their name into the hat at 8 PM. Sixteen poets are chosen and given five minutes each to read. Apart from that, no rules apply, with the evening wrapping around 10 PM.
When asked what he’d say to newcomers, drummer Gordon McRae enthusiastically replies, “Everybody is welcome. When a new poet shows up, it’s not applause they get, it’s cheering. The crowd goes wild. This not your snooty club with velvet jackets. It’s a community, and every style of poetry is welcome.”
Want to get published?
Well now you can, because the Raving Poets have launched their own magazine. Raving is made up of contributions from previous readers, and anyone who has read at least once during the latest series is eligible to submit their poetry for publication.
Yeah, that’s all nice, but what about the food?
Did we mention the Kasbar, with its dim Mediterranean lighting and leather ottomans is also a first class Greek restaurant? In fact, it shares its menu with Yiannis Taverna upstairs.
Choices include everything from a simple bowl of traditional homous (chick peas pureed with tahini, olive oil and lots of garlic, served with a pita) to a plate as exotic as Octopus Krasato (tender octopus stewed in red wine, tomato and herb sauce).
Looking for more Edmonton poetry?
Then check out these sites for info and inspiration:
EdmontonPoetryFestival.com
OliveReadingSeries.wordpress.com
Many thanks to r Edwards Photography for providing the photos to accompany this article.
Tyler Enfield is the author of the award-winning children’s book Wrush: The Secret Worlds of Tabetha Bright. Keep your eyes open as he tours Edmonton’s schools and libraries with his Tinderbox creative workshops this coming fall.
out the Raving Poets, a multisensory experience of live open-mic poetry and improv music in the middle eastern-style tavern of the Kasbar (104th and Whyte). With a near cult-like following, poets have been reading their best with the Raving Poets since 2000, sharing drinks with fellow artists and cheering on friends in an atmosphere unlike anything else in Edmonton.
The Raving who?
It all began ten years ago when a group of musicians and poets banded together to create something new: a place where anyone was welcome to walk in off the street and read their poetry aloud.
The founding-fathers, Thomas Trofimuk, Mark Kozub, Randall Edwards, and Gordon McRae backed up each poet with an improvised sound-score on bass, guitar, drums, and
keyboard, while Mike Gravel hosted, narrated, and urged newcomers on. Their philosophy? Well, it’s “not something that can be written. It is akin to a ‘feeling’ and only hangs semi-translucent in the air on a Wednesday night when the band is ripping and the poet at the microphone is leaning back into the music and the two streams are in a gorgeous confluence… The Raving Poets are whoever happens to be there to witness the moments, to be a part of a moment.”
Could that be you?
Then jump right in!
The Raving Poets hosts two reading series a year, in spring and fall, with the next series set to run Wednesday nights from September 30 to December 2.
Anyone interested in reading tosses their name into the hat at 8 PM. Sixteen poets are chosen and given five minutes each to read. Apart from that, no rules apply, with the evening wrapping around 10 PM.
When asked what he’d say to newcomers, drummer Gordon McRae enthusiastically replies, “Everybody is welcome. When a new poet shows up, it’s not applause they get, it’s cheering. The crowd goes wild. This not your snooty club with velvet jackets. It’s a community, and every style of poetry is welcome.”
Want to get published?
Well now you can, because the Raving Poets have launched their own magazine. Raving is made up of contributions from previous readers, and anyone who has read at least once during the latest series is eligible to submit their poetry for publication.
Yeah, that’s all nice, but what about the food?
Did we mention the Kasbar, with its dim Mediterranean lighting and leather ottomans is also a first class Greek restaurant? In fact, it shares its menu with Yiannis Taverna upstairs.
Choices include everything from a simple bowl of traditional homous (chick peas pureed with tahini, olive oil and lots of garlic, served with a pita) to a plate as exotic as Octopus Krasato (tender octopus stewed in red wine, tomato and herb sauce).
Looking for more Edmonton poetry?
Then check out these sites for info and inspiration:
EdmontonPoetryFestival.com
OliveReadingSeries.wordpress.com
Many thanks to r Edwards Photography for providing the photos to accompany this article.
Tyler Enfield is the author of the award-winning children’s book Wrush: The Secret Worlds of Tabetha Bright. Keep your eyes open as he tours Edmonton’s schools and libraries with his Tinderbox creative workshops this coming fall.
