The Canadian Individual Poetry Slam (CIPS) will take place between April 24- 26 2024. CIPS is a nationally recognized poetry slam that brings together 24 poets from across the country to celebrate and battle through spoken word as part of the Verses Festival of Words. This year, the competition will take place in a hybrid format, with live in person shows in Vancouver, BC, as well as opportunities for poets to compete virtually.
Poets representing spoken word series and regions across what is colonially known as “Canada” will compete in a head-to-head tournament, presenting poems that are 3 minutes in length.
Winners of each head-to-head bout will be determined by a live vote chosen by 5 randomly appointed judges selected from the audience. We have chosen the head to head format this year, to introduce a new element of relationality, theatrics, and fun. We will go into more details around the logistics of this below. This judging system aligns with our vision of the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam Champion being chosen by fellow community members – without hierarchy, without prioritizing expertise, cultivating a way of accessing poetry for all.
CIPS PRELIMS Bout 1
Wednesday April 24, 6:30-8:30PM PT
WISE Hall | Tickets $15
Doors open at 6pm for live and online audience
CIPS PRELIMS Bout 2
Thursday April 25, 6:30-8:30 PM PT
WISE Hall | Tickets $15
Doors open at 6pm for live and online audience
CIPS FINALS
Friday, April 26, 6:30-9:00 PM PT
WISE Hall | Tickets $18
Doors open at 6 pm for live and online audience
Featuring Lillian Allen
Past CIPS Winners
2011 – Ikenna ‘OpenSecret’ Onyegbula
2012 – R.C. Weslowski
2013 – Ikenna ‘OpenSecret’ Onyegbula
2014 – IF the Poet
2015 – Prufrock Shadowrunner
2016 – Andre Prefontaine
2017 – Ifrah Hussein
2018 – Lady Vanessa Cardona
2019 – Nisha Patel
2020 – Qurat Dar
2021 – Zayn Ojoawo
2022 – Eddie Lartey