Dr. Tom Cull is a professor of American Studies and Writing Studies at Western University and the current Poet Laureate of London, Ontario. He is involved with Wordsfest, a poetry event taking place at the Museum London from November 4, to the 6.
For more information on Wordsfest, and to look at the schedule of events for the upcoming weekend, go to http://wordsfest.ca/.
AJ: How did you get involved with Wordsfest?
TC: Oh, that’s a good question! I originally got involved through my committee work at Poetry London (a long standing poetry reading series in London Ontario) but I’m also involved through my position in English and Writing Studies, and my position as Poet Laureate for the City of London. So I’m involved in a variety of capacities.
AJ: How long have you been involved in Wordsfest?
TC: This is my third year; the first year was a great beginning, the second year, last year, was fantastic. This year we have another wonderful lineup of authors. This year is going to be the best yet.
AJ: Can you tell me a bit more about your role, and what you do?
TC: Last year I was on the organizing committee for Wordsfest. This year when I was appointed Poet Laureate by the city, I stepped off of the committee, but I am still very much involved through my job here at Western. I am helping organize the Zine, and I am still involved in Guerrilla Poetry, which I’ll tell you a bit more about. I am also reading at the festival this year. Holly Painter and I are hosting the Live Words open mic on Saturday night.
AJ: What would be your favourite aspect that you’re involved in?
TC: What am I looking forward to? This year I am really looking forward to the Saturday Open Mic because it is a collaboration between Poetry London, London Poetry Slam and Open Mic Poetry Night. Those three groups are coming together and putting on a big open mic night that is going to be part slam, part open mic. Everyone is welcome to come. And, if they are feeling brave, read a poem. It is taking place at the museum on Saturday, November 5th, at 8pm. It is going to be super fun—about 100 people came to it last year. This year we had to get a bigger space, because we are expecting even more people. Its such a fun night, you get all types of people coming and reading their work. It is a festive, welcoming, fun and diverse night. All forms, all styles welcome.
AJ: What would you say are some of the ‘can’t-miss’ events for students?
TC: The poet/ musician Leanne Betasamosake Simpson is performing with her band at 6pm on Sunday at Wordsfest. This is my one ‘can’t miss,’ event. If I could recommend a couple of things – the open mic night is going to be so much fun, and, if you come to the open mic you can also submit the poem you read to be published in the Zine, which is the other exciting thing that I’m involved with. WordsfestZine is an instant Zine that will be compiled, edited, designed and printed over the course of 48 hours. We accept submissions from folks who attend and/or participate in the festival. For more on this, folks should check out the website, where they’ll find submission guidelines.
I’m also looking forward to so many writers’ talks: Steve Pagan, Emma Donoghue, Andre Alexis, George Elliot Clarke—the list goes on. Artist talks are happening all day Saturday and Sunday at the museum, and all of the information is at wordsfest.ca. If people are feeling adventurous, they should join me and others who are reading on street corners for an event called Guerrilla Poetry. We’re meeting at the museum at 11:45, getting into groups, and heading out to read on street corners in the downtown core. Folks can read original poems or favourite poems—the only rule is, bring something to read.
AJ: What was the public reaction like to that?
TC: Well it is always mixed, some people think that we’re street corner preachers, but it’s generally pretty positive. It is also a great way to promote the festival. In the past, we’ve had people hear us read and then come back to the festival with us to take part in the afternoon event. It’s a great way to engage the public and to bring the city alive with poetry. The dream is to one day have enough people participate that we fill every street corner with poetry for an hour. It’s pretty cool, and a lot of fun. You’re in groups of four to six, so you’re with friends and the public is supportive. You get a free Words t-shirt to boot!