"Hard-hitting verses in America's pit of moshing"
The Montreal Poetry Festival, set to run from May 25 to June 5, will close with an unconventional event titled "Americas Mosh Pit" on June 2nd. This unique performance, under the artistic direction of Joseph Edgar, promises to push boundaries by merging poetry with music and creating a vibrant, immersive experience for audiences.
Thirty artists from various backgrounds, including Louise Forestier, Jean-Paul Daoust, Hector Ruiz, Erika Soucy, Kama La Mackerel, and Olivia Tapiero, among others, will take the stage at the Red Room. Accompanied by a mini-orchestra led by Valery St-Gelais and boasting the scenic aesthetics of Arkadi Lavoie Lachapelle, the evening aims to break free from the confines of traditional poetry readings.
The idea for this show was born from a casual conversation at a Hochelaga bar, where Joseph Edgar envisioned an event that transcended regional divisions. He wanted to create an environment where francophone artists from across North America could collaborate and showcase their skills, fostering a sense of unity and solidarity.
Phara Thibault, a young poet, sees the event as a cathartic space, a poetic response to violence. She will share excerpts from her debut collection, Noire fourmi, which delves into her experiences as a black woman in society. Her words promise to resonate with the audience, tackling themes of identity, self-discovery, and healing.
Thibault's poetry will be underscored by musical layers, as the mini-orchestra provides a lyrical backdrop for her poignant words. Joseph Edgar anticipates that the audience will be shaken up, pleasantly surprised, and left contemplating the experience for days afterward.
The Montreal Poetry Festival will offer several other events worth noting, including "Of which garden do you speak / and of which time?", a sensitive journey through the echoes of the past and the shoots of the present; "To Rediscover the Echo of Lost Words", a show carried by the Quebec Committee of PEN International; "Innards Laid Bare", an unprecedented show delving into the body's retention and release; and "Video-Poetry Rendezvous", where eleven finalists blend verse and video.
Each of these events, including "Americas Mosh Pit", aims to highlight the relevance and vibrancy of poetry in contemporary society, offering unique perspectives, emotions, and experiences for audiences to enjoy.
The "Americas Mosh Pit" event, under the artistic direction of Joseph Edgar, will fuse poetry with music, thereby transcending the boundaries of traditional entertainment and providing a culture-rich, immersive experience. Phara Thibault, a poet participating in the event, perceives it as a space for catharsis, where she'll share her poignant words from her debut collection, Noire fourmi, touching upon themes of identity, self-discovery, and healing, all underscored by the lyrical soundscapes of the mini-orchestra.
