Hullabaloo is BC’s Youth Spoken Word Festival featuring workshops, showcase performances and some of BC’s finest high school-aged poets all sharing work for peers and audiences alike. The festival is a forum where youth tell their stories, explore the issues that matter to them, and find their voice. Hullabaloo gathers poets from across British Columbia, connecting them together into a community of writers.
School teams come together to compete in slams, participate in workshops, see great feature poets, and connect with other writers.Events at the festival include an alumni showcase, a youth video poem screening, a team piece showcase plus our annual Spoken Word Jamboree and closing night Feature Performance. Schools from around the province are invited to attend.
Registration for returning teams opens on February 1st and open registration for all other schools begins on February 15th. Participating poets will be asked to take part in poetry workshops of their choice as well as create work to be presented for online audiences. Registration is $200 and is non-refundable.
For Hullabaloo information and requests please contact the Hullabaloo Director at hullabaloo@vancouverpoetryhouse.com.
Or send us an email at wordplay@vancouverpoetryhouse.com.
Hullabaloo 2023
All events will take place at the Vancouver Film School 390 West Hastings Street and all events are FREE
Spoken Word Jamboree and Alumni Showcase
Thursday, April 20, 6:00-9:00PM
The showcase will feature past Hullabaloo champions and integral poets from the festival’s history.
Hullabaloo Poetry Slam Round 1!
Friday April 21nd 6:00-9:00PM
All Hullabaloo teams in Hullabaloo perform a mix of individual and group performances in poetry slam competitions! Poetry presented with gusto and the enthusiastic support of all attending teams!
Early Bouts: 6 PM
Late Bouts: 8 PM
Adventures in Poetryland
Saturday, April 22 10AM
Youth poets take up to two workshops designed to help expand their poetic horizons and learn about the breadth of spoken word from professional poets. Participants select workshops on offer by Andre Prefontaine, Janice Jo Lee, Truth Is… and Beth Anne Ellipsis .
Hullabaloo Poetry Slam Round 2!
All Hullabaloo teams in Hullabaloo perform a mix of individual and group performances in poetry slam competitions! Poetry presented with gusto and the enthusiastic support of all attending teams!
Early Bouts: 1 PM
Late Bouts: 3 PM
Hullabaloo Feature Performance and Team Piece Showcase
Saturday, April 22, 7:00-10:00PM
Hullabaloo Team Finals featuring El Jones
Four Hullabaloo Finalists compete for the Billy Sharkespeare Trophy! Feature performance by El Jones.