Peterborough in search of poet laureate
Winner will compose works to present at council, other events
The City of Peterborough and the Electric City Culture Council (EC3) are excited to announce nominations are now open for Peterborough’s next poet laureate. This is an honorary position established to recognize the excellence and achievements of professional poets living and working in Peterborough.
The poet laureate acts as an advocate for poetry and spoken word art, the arts in general and the City of Peterborough and its residents. They compose works to be presented at Peterborough city council meetings and other events and occasions.
The Peterborough Poet Laureate Program was launched as a pilot program in 2021-22.
Curve Lake spoken word artist Sarah Lewis was named as Peterborough’s first poet laureate. She made four appearances at official city occasions and approximately 70 additional engagements during her term.
Peterborough’s city council voted to make the poet laureate a permanent position and Ziysah von Bieberstein is currently serving as the city’s second poet laureate.
Nominations for the third poet laureate are being accepted until April 18 and will be assessed by a panel including peers in the poetry and spoken word community, local citizens and a city representative.
EC3 is offering two Peterborough poet laureate nomination workshops. Attendees can learn more about the program and how to put together a nomination from current and past poet laureates von Bieberstein and Lewis, as well as past jurors.
An in-person workshop will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Artspace, 378 Aylmer St. N., and an online workshop takes place Thursday at 7 p.m. via Zoom.
For information, including the full poet laureate program guidelines and nomination form, visit ecthree.org.
New-To-You Spring Giveaway
The New Canadians Centre (NCC) Peterborough is hosting a New-ToYou Spring Giveaway. On Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., newcomers in the Peterborough area are invited to come to the NCC, 221 Romaine St., and pick up needed items for free.
In advance of the giveaway, the NCC is looking for donations. Donations can be dropped off Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the NCC.
Items that are needed include gently used spring and summer clothing for adults and children of all ages; reusable grocery bags; small household items in good condition such as dish sets, cutlery and small appliances such as kettles and toasters; school supplies, including backpacks in all sizes, stationery supplies and lunch kits; car seats, booster seats and strollers in good condition and not expired; new toiletries; and toys.
Please do not donate any fabric or plush toys, underwear or swimwear, furniture, books or electronics. Items left after the giveaway will be donated to other not-for-profit organizations to be redistributed for free.
For information, visit nccpeterborough.ca or call 705-743-0882.
English country dancing
The Peterborough English Country Dancers are hosting an afternoon of dancing on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at Mark Street United Church, 90 Hunter St. E., in the Friendship Hall. Live music will be provided by the English Country Dancers House Band featuring Linda Clark, Michael Ketemer, Ken Brown and Curtis Driedger. All dances will be taught by the caller before being danced by the group.
Admission is $10 per person and a partner is not necessary. All are welcome. For information, visit pecd.org.
Mental health symposium
Peterborough’s second annual Child and Youth Mental Health Symposium is on Tuesday, April 16, with a free session for parents and caregivers from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at McDonnel Street Activity Centre, 577 McDonnel St. Speaker Dr. Michael Unger will talk about “Nourishing Resilience: Nine Ways Caregivers Can Help Children Thrive.”
Unger is a family therapist and founder and director of the Resilience Research Centre at Dalhousie University.
For information or to register, visit bit.ly/3Vk4yEP.