The literary party heads west to Griffin Vancouver: A Celebration of Poetry

Everyone knows that writing poetry is a fast ride to serious bucks. Well, it is if your work wins the Griffin Poetry Prize, the biggest such award in the nation. Divvying up a pot of $200,000 among distinguished Canadian and international poets, the annual affair has been strictly Toronto-based since its inception in 2000—until now, that is. This year, the prize’s organizers are collaborating with the W2 Media Café to bring you Griffin Vancouver: A Celebration of Poetry, a blend of literary event and party that’ll include a live broadcast of the Hogtown ceremony, as well as food, drink, music, and readings by such acclaimed West Coast poets as Matt Rader, Jen Currin, and municipal laureate Evelyn Lau. It all happens from 6 to 9 p.m. next Thursday (June 7), at the café. Admission is by donation—no one turned away.