It’s National Poetry Month, and you’re stuck for a way to celebrate. Maybe that’s because you can’t help thinking of poetry as something that requires a snifter of brandy and a fireplace—and you’re all out of snifters and fireplaces. But the Verses Festival of Words will set you straight when it runs from Saturday (April 5) to April 12 at venues in the Commercial Drive neighbourhood. Thirty-three events featuring more than 80 poets, spoken-word artists, comedians, and storytellers—among them a burlesque-tinged launch slated for C.R. Avery’s new collection, Some Birds Walk for the Hell of It, at Astorino’s on Sunday afternoon (April 6)—will add up to a raucous eight-day bash in honour of “the transformative power of words”. For the full lineup, see the Verses Festival website.