Poetry comes to life when it is read aloud — and that is what the Words Aloud Festival is all about this weekend in Durham.
The 7th annual poetry, spoken word and story telling festival happens mainly at the Durham Art Gallery .
The festival features some top performers that will share their pieces — everything from prose to structured poetry.
Organizer Liz Zettlin says this year features a slam session at the Great Books & Cafe at the Williamsford Mill on Saturday starting at 1 PM.
This slam session will feature teens going head to head with outspoken poetry and is entertaining and really creative to watch.
Zetlin says the performers include a throatsinger — as well as musicians and poetry performers that combine hip hop with literature.
The weekend also has workshops that Zetlin says are for the accomplished or the sophomore writer that feature such subjects as overcoming writers block and writing about you life.
Zetlin says the weekend costs between 30 and 40 thousand dollars to put on and is funded by grants as well as generous sponsors.
She adds the economic spin off to the region from the performers and spectators coming into the area is huge and she hopes to see the festival grow into a week long event in years to come.
Zetlin says the festival is for all ages and has been sold out in years past.
The best way to see the complete line up and book tickets is to check out their website at www.wordsaloud,ca
