Current Events – Our 20th Season

As we continue to amplify the voices of diverse and vibrant poets from across the breadth of Nations, territories, habitats, waterways, and provinces commonly known as Canada, we recognize that “Poetry London” uses colonial language that does not reflect our organization’s ethos. We are in the process of changing the name of the Poetry London reading series to Antler River Poetry, which borrows from the transliterated Anishinabemowin Deshkan Ziibi, one of the original and continuous names for the river… Read on.

Poetry Contest Deadline Extended!

Dear poets, we are extending the Antler River Poetry 2024 Open Theme Contest entry deadline to Monday March 18th, 2024. You now have until then to submit your work. For more information about the contest please visit our Poetry Contest page.


Antler River Poetry Presents Ben Robinson & Aaron Kreuter.

Wednesday, March 20 2024 at Landon Branch London Public Library

Yellow and orange poster advertising Antler River Poetry's Wednesday March 20th event featuring Ben Robinson and Aaron Kreuter. The event will take place at Landon Branch Library (167 Wortley Road, London ON). Readings are from 7:00-8:30pm. We strongly encourage you to wear a mask to protect vulnerable members of our community. Event sponsors include Palimpsest Press, University of Regina Press, London Arts Council, The City of London, Ontario Arts Council, The Government of Ontario, Canada Council for the Arts, digibee.net, and The London Public Library.Hey poets & poetry lovers! Our penultimate season reading is right around the corner, and we’re delighted to be hosting the incredible Ben Robinson & Aaron Kreuter 🤩 We do hope you’ll join us on Wednesday, March 20 from 7:00-8:30 pm at the Landon Branch Library in Wortley Village for what is sure to be a fantastic evening 📚

Poet Bios:


Antler River Poetry 2024 Open Theme Contest

Antler River Poetry 2024 Open Theme Poetry Contest - Call for Submissions - for London, Ontario and area residents only - DEADLINE: MARCH 15th, 2024. Judge: Annick MacAskill. First Prize: $100. Second Prize: $75. Third Prize: $50. Submit one poem up to 40 lines on any topic in any style to: arpcontest@gmail.com Winning Poems will be published on Antler River Poetry's website: www.antlerriverpoetry.caSubmit your best work to Antler River Poetry’s 2024 Open Theme poetry contest, judged by Governor General Award winning poet Annick MacAskill! Contest entries must be one poem of no more than 40 lines, on any topic, in any style; only submit original work that has not been previously published in print or online. No AI-generated submissions are allowed.

Send poems in PDF format by email only to arpcontest@gmail.com. Please include your name, your complete contact information (including mailing address), and the title of your poem in the body of the email. Poems will be presented anonymously to our judge, so please do not include your name in the PDF file of your poem. You must be a resident of (or attending school in) London, ON and surrounding area to enter. Winners will be announced in mid-April 2024 (only winners will be contacted)

  • First Prize is $100
  • Second Prize is $75
  • Third Prize is $50

The winning poets will have their work published on Antler River Poetry’s website and will be invited to read their winning pieces at our April event.



Antler River Poetry Presents Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm & Rasiqra Revulva with a local opener Shayla Bramer.

7pm on Valentine’s Day 2024 at Landon Branch London Public Library

Yellow and orange poster advertising Antler River Poetry's Wednesday February 14th event featuring Rasiqra Revulva, Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm, local opener Shayla Bramer, and guest artist Memengwaans Ireland. The event will take place at Landon Branch Library (167 Wortley Road, London ON). Readings are from 7:00-8:30pm. We strongly encourage you to wear a mask to protect vulnerable members of our community. Event sponsors include Wolsak & Wynn, Wilfred Laurier University Press, London Arts Council, The City of London, Ontario Arts Council, The Government of Ontario, Canada Council for the Arts, digibee.net, and The London Public Library.  Can you think of a better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than listening to live expressions of the most romantic form of literature? Neither can we! Please join us on Wednesday, February 14 from 7-8:30 PM at Landon Library as we welcome the incredible Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm & Rasiqra Revulva with local opener Shayla Bramer 📖 It’s going to be yet another wonderful event and we’re very much looking forward to seeing you all there 💘

Poet Bios:



Antler River Poetry Rings in the New Year with Readings from Karen Schindler, Rob McLennan, and Poets with Chapbooks

7pm on Wednesday January 17 2024 at Landon Branch London Public Library

Antler River Poetry presents Karen Schindler and rob mclennan. With special guest readings from two poetrs with new champbooks from 845 Press and Rose Garden Press! Come celebrate small press culture with us. January 17 Reading: 7-8-30pm London Branch Library 167 Wortley Rd. 519-439-6240. The poster features black and white photo portraits of Karen Schindler and rob mclennan and logos of sponsors.We hope you all had a wonderful holiday and that 2024 has been treating you well so far! A new year means new poets, and we’re thrilled to kick off the 2024 portion of our season with the incredible Karen Schindler & rob mclennan (with opener(s) TBA) 🎉 We hope you’ll join us on Wednesday, January 17 from 7-8:30pm @ Landon Library in Wortley Village, it’s sure to be a great event! 📚

Poet Bios:
Karen Schindler
rob mclennan



Antler River Poetry Presents

Anahita Jamali Rad, Darby Minott Bradford, and Local Opener Izzy Siebert

Yellow poster advertising Antler River Poetry's Wednesday November 22nd event featuring Anahita Jamali Rad and D.M. Bradford. The event will take place at Landon Branch Library (167 Wortley Road, London ON). Readings are from 7:00-8:30pm. We strongly encourage you to wear a mask to protect vulnerable members of our community. Event sponsors including TalonBooks, Brick Books, London Arts Council, The City of London, Ontario Arts Council, The Government of Ontario, The League of Canadian Poets, Canada Council for the Arts, digibee.net, and The London Public Library. Happy November poets and poetry lovers! 📚 We’re thrilled to be hosting Anahita Jamali Rad and D.M. Bradford with local opener Izzy Siebert on Wednesday, November 22 (from 7:00pm to 8:30pm) at Landon Library in Wortley Village!

This is sure to be a reading you won’t want to miss, so we hope to see you all there! ☺️🎉

Poet Bios:

We strongly encourage masks.

Event sponsors include TalonBooks, Brick Books, London Arts Council, The City of London, Ontario Arts Council, The Government of Ontario, The League of Canadian Poets, Canada Council for the Arts, digibee.net, and The London Public Library.



Antler River Poetry Presents

Susan Braley, Adebe DeRango-Adem with Local Opener Claudia Kindrachuk

Join us on Wednesday, October 18 at 7:00 PM at Landon Library in Wortley Village for what we’re sure is going to be yet another spectacular evening, with readings by Susan Braley, Adebe DeRango-Adem and local opener Claudia Kindrachuk 🎉 Set your reminders; you won’t want to miss it! 📆

Poet Bios:

Claudia Kindrachuk is an avid writer of poetry and fiction, with particular interest in the experimental and science fiction. Her work has appeared in local publications in both London and Toronto. She is currently completing her undergraduate in English and Creative Writing at Western. Find her on Instagram @claudiakindrachuk

Don’t forget to spread the word. See you all at the readings. Bring a friend.




Antler River Poetry Presents

Next week, we kick off our 20th season with a special evening of poetry and song, featuring Tyler Pennock & Brock Stonefish with local opener Katherine Barbour.

Purple poster advertising Antler River Poetry's September 20th event featuring Tyler Pennock & Brock Stonefish. Takes place at 7:00pm at Landon Branch Library (167 Wortley Road, 519-439-6240). Masks are strongly encourage. Event sponsors include the Ontario Arts Council, London Arts Council, League of Canadian Poets, Ojistoh Publishing, Brick Books, and digibee.net.

Come join us on Wednesday, September 20th from 7pm to 8:30pm at Landon Library in Wortley Village. Featuring readings from Tyler Pennock and Brock Stonefish with local opener Katherine Barbour. It’s sure to be an incredible event — we look forward to welcoming you back.

  • Wednesday September 20th
  • Performances at 7:00pm
  • Landon Branch
  • 167 Wortley Road London Ontario

Masks are strongly encouraged. All welcome!

Event sponsors include the Ontario Arts Council, London Arts Council, League of Canadian Poets, Ojistoh Publishing, Brick Books, and digibee.net.


Antler River Poetry 20th Reading Season

Hey poets and poetry lovers, we’re excited to announce our fantastic 2023-24 poet lineup! Reader bios, pictures and more event information coming soon.

Orange poster with floral motifs announcing Antler River Poetry's 2023-24 season! September 20, 2023: Tyler Pennock & Brock Stonefish October 18, 2023: Susan Braley & Adebe DeRango-Adem November 22, 2023: Anahita Jamali Rad & D.M. Bradford January 17, 2024: Karen Schindler/chapbook poets & rob mclennan February 14, 2024: Rasiqra Revulva & Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm March 20, 2024: Ben Robinson & Aaron Kreuter April 24, 2024: Drew McEwan & Annick MacAskill

Mark the dates in your calendars, set your reminders, remember to spread the word, and above all, come listen to the readings. Bring a friend. Check here and on our social media for updates.

We are looking forward to seeing all of you at the reading!



Antler River Poetry Presents: Manahil Bandukwala & Matt Robinson

Wednesday April 19th 2023 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm downstairs at the Landon Branch London Public Library at 167 Wortley Road

Light purple poster advertising Antler River Poetry's Wednesday April 19th event featuring poets Manahil Bandukwala, Matt Robinson, and Pujita Verma. The event will take place at Landon Branch library (167 Wortley Road, London Ontario). Readings are from 7:00-830pm. Please wear a mask to protect vulnerable members of our community.Happy Spring poets and poetry lovers! 🌸 We’re pleased to announce that our final reading of the 2022/2023 regular season will take place on Wednesday, April 19 from 7-8:30 at Landon Library in Wortley Village! Featuring readings from Manahil Bandukwala and Matt Robinson, with local opener Pujita Verma, it’s sure to be a wonderful and inspiring evening!

To protect vulnerable community members, masks are required and will be provided to you if you do not have one 😷 We look forward to seeing you all soon!



Antler River Poetry Presents: Conyer Clayton & Robert Colman

Wednesday March 22nd 2023 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm downstairs at the Landon Branch London Public Library, 167 Wortley Road

Light blue poster with brown text advertising Antler River Poetry's Wednesday March 22nd event featuring poets Robert Colman, Conyer Clayton, and Siddharth Maheshwari. The event will take place at Landon Branch Library (167 Wortley Road, London ON). Readings are from 7:00-8:30pm. Please wear a mask to protect vulnerable members of our community.It’s that time again, our March reading is in a couple short weeks 🎉 Antler River Poetry is delighted to welcome Conyer Clayton and Robert Colman with local opener @TheMasherPotato on March 22nd at 7:00PM at the Landon Branch in Wortley 📚

A reminder that we ask all guests to wear a mask to the event; masks will be provided for those who do not have one 😷



Antler River Poetry Presents Natalie Wee and T. Liem

Wednesday February 15th 2023 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm downstairs at the Landon Branch of the London Public Library 📚 in Wortley Village

Beige poster with green text advertising Antler River Poetry's Wednesday February 15th 2023 event featuring poets Natalie Wee, T. Liem, and Matthew Dawkins. The event will take place at Landon Branch Library (167 Wortley Road, London ON). Readings are from 7:00-8:30pm. Please wear a mask.

Our second live reading of 2023 is in just over a week! We are delighted to welcome T. Liem and Natalie Wee with local opener Matthew Dawkins. A reminder, we ask all guests to wear a mask to the event; masks will be provided for those who do not have one 😷

The local opener, Matthew Dawkins is a Jamaican award-winning author and poet whose work explores subject matters including adolescence, race, nationhood, and mental health. Until We Break is his debut novel. Matthew is currently the Student-Writer-in-Residence at Western University where he pursues a Bachelor of Arts in The School for Advanced Studies in Arts and Humanities and English Literature. Matthew’s work has been featured in Westwind Poetry, Indolent Books, Pinhole Poetry, and more. When he’s not writing, Matthew can often be found spending time with the people he loves and creating new memories.

Follow Matthew on Twitter at @matthewd_writes


March and April Event Updates

Hey poetry lovers and ARP fans, due to scheduling conflicts, we’ve had to shuffle our March and April poets and book one new poet (Randell Adjei had to cancel). Here is the new lineup:



Happy New Year Poets and Poetry Fans🎉 Antler River Poetry Is Back on Wednesday January 18th with an In-Person Event Featuring Daniel Scott Tysdal and R. Kolewe with Local Opener Gray Brogden

Wednesday January 18th 2023, 7:00 – 8:30pm at the Landon Branch of the London Public Library, 167 Wortley Road

White and red poster for Antler River Poetry's Wednesday January 18th event featuring poets Daniel Scott Tysdal and R. Kolewe. The event will take place at Landon Branch Library (167 Wortley Road, London ON). Readings are from 7:00-8:30pm. Please wear a mask.

For our first reading of 2023, we are proud to present Daniel Scott Tysdal and R. Kolewe with local opener Gray Brogden on January 18 at 7:00 PM at the Landon Library in Wortley Village📚 A reminder, we ask all guests to wear a mask to the event; masks will be provided for those who do not have one😷

The local opener, Gray Brogden is an English and Creative Writing student at Western University. Born in Regina SK, she now splits time between London ON, and the East Coast of Nova Scotia. She is an accomplished poet with over 20 published works. Her poems have been featured in The Sudbury Star, Western University student publications, as well as local, provincial and national anthologies. In her spare time, Gray can be found obsessively writing and revising, binge reading, or working on jigsaw puzzles. You can find her on Instagram @graybrogden16

We look forward to seeing all of you at our in-person readings! To protect vulnerable community members, please wear a mask. Please note: we are not offering pre-reading workshops this season.


Archived “Current Events” Content From Years Past


Past Seasons Page


Questions?

Email us at poetrylondon[dot]ca[at]gmail[dot]com