An upcoming event will bring an exciting mash-up of visual and performing arts to the stage at Barrie’s Five Points Theatre.
Ty the Poetess (a.k.a. Tyneisha Ternent) will be hosting her first official event since being named Barrie’s poet laureate in November. As the new “people’s poet,” she says the event is an example of what she feels she should be doing in that role.
“I am highlighting different art forms," she tells BarrieToday. "We are going to have rappers, spoken-word artists, visual artists, dancers all coming together to show their own artistry, but at the same time highlighting each one as well."
The event, scheduled for Jan. 14 at the Dunlop Street West theatre, will include four spoken-word artists, four rappers, two dancers, and a visual artist.
“This event is about community artists supporting artists while each displaying their own unique creativity,” she said, adding the poetic event highlights spoken word and the relationship between poetry and rap, and will help bring together local artists of all kinds in one space.
“As the new poet laureate, this debut event is somewhat like a coming-out party for me. It is a family-friendly event that intends to give people a greater understanding of the written word and poetry,” Ternent noted. “I am hoping people will come out and see my vision.
"All of my words will basically be put into action. People can see what being a poet laureate means to me (and) showcasing other artists, not just myself.”
Helping others learn more about poetry is one of her main goals during her term, Ternent said.
“It’s more about an experience, and a lot of people don’t know what spoken word is, so I am happy to take on that challenge and display it in a way that they’ve maybe never seen it done before,” she said, adding all the funds collected from the event will go toward taking the tour on the road. “My next stop would actually be Innisfil. Then I want to bring artists to Collingwood, Wasaga Beach … so all of the profits from this would go back to creating another event.”
This will be the first event Ternent has ever organized, not just as a poet laureate but also as Ty the Poetess, and it’s both exciting and nerve racking, she said.
“I found amazing local artists to take part, and I am just so happy that everybody is on board. This gives me an opportunity to pay artists and give them a little bit of money to do what they love,” she said. “Using the Five Points, it’s a beautiful venue in Barrie and I’m honoured that I am able to do it there.”
Tickets for the show, which is sponsored by Tourism Innovation Canada as well as the City of Barrie, can be purchased by clicking here.
