A huge thank you to everyone who came out to the Victoria book launch! It was another incredible night—part celebration of Soundin’ Canaan, but also a chance to hear amazing words and be in community.

The evening began with former Victoria Youth Poet Laureate Aziza Moqia Sealey-Qaylow, followed by an open mic. Sonnet L’Abbé (who also featured at the Nanaimo launch) then shared a few poems and performed an original blues song.

Next up, Wayde Compton read from two hip-hop-inflected works featured in Soundin’ Canaan: 49th Parallel Psalm and Performance Bond. I followed with a remixed reading of my book, then sat down for an on-stage interview with Wayde (link to the audio and transcript below).

A huge shoutout to Susan Sanford Blades for organizing the event as part of the Wild Prose reading series (https://www.susansanfordblades.com/wild-prose-reading-series). And big thanks to Jack Corfield for capturing photos and recording audio while I was on stage.

Audio

Sonnet L’Abbé Reading

Wayde Compton Reading

Paul db Watkins Reading

Listen to the Interivew between Wayde Compton and Paul db Watkins, here.

Event Photos