In Roman times, Bacchus, the god of wine and revelry was celebrated at events called Bacchanalias. Some historians think it originated in the south of Italy (southerners know how to
par-tay). At
this Bacchanalia, eleven writers and poets and one singer were invited to read, recite and sing ... to celebrate ecstasy, revelry and intoxication. Here''s how they did it ...
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| Dom Capilongo, poet & co-emcee |
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| We start with a bang ... with slam poet Trevor Abes |
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| Trevor |
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The writer Arif Anwar, travelling
from the wilds of Mississauga |
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| The ever expressive poet Valentino Assenza |
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| Val |
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John Calabro, author of
An Imperfect Man |
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| John |
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| Dom Capilongo leads the second set |
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| Dom |
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| The poet Rocco De Giacomo |
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The inestimable Paul Fowler
reading his short story |
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| Paul |
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Poet, publisher, force majeure ...
Luciano Iacobelli |
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| Luc |
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| Paul Salvatori, reggae singer |
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| Paul |
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| Poet & Lexical.ca founder Justin Lauzon |
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| Justin |
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| La Poetessa (and pinch hitter) Cathy Petch |
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| Cathy |
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There is a Sicilian expression you use when someone special
comes into the room: "Ca sono i sordi (Here comes the money)..."
That's Toronto poet laureate George Elliott Clarke |
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| GEC |
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| An appreciative crowd ... |
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| Emcee and organizer Michelle Alfano |
I hear not the volumes of sound merely, I am moved by the exquisite meanings,
I listen to the different voices winding in and out, striving, contending with fiery vehemence to excel each other in emotion;
I do not think the performers know themselves—but now I think I begin to know them.
That Music Always Round Me ~ Walt Whitman.
