Toronto Street Writers

The 2011-12 Street Writers program runs every Tuesday until July 1, 2012.

We're all excited for a year of creative inspiration, learning opportunities, and friendly people. Register now by emailing info(at)torontostreetwriters.ca or calling 416-779-1448 or CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

What some of last year's participants say about the program:

• “Street Writers has helped me realize the vastness of the English language and how to use it as artistic expression.”
• “It has made less scared, more open.”
• “Street Writers motivated me and helped me experiment with the voice I wanted to use."
• “I get depressed when I don’t have Street Writers in my weekly schedule.”
• "You opened my mind up to the technical aspects of writing. Now I make the time to seriously write and be creative."
• “I love the rich diversity of the people who come. Different walks of life really enriches the experience.”

We've got a Facebook page, where we post news, updates, curiousities and calls for submission.

It's a great way to find out what we're up to from week to week.

SEE YA THERE!

Launch of new work by the Parkdale Street Writers!
Performances by amazing contributors!
Plus: Special guests Rose and Nic from LAL and Abstract Random!

Canada Day - Friday, July 1, 2011
7 pm at Gladstone Hotel, 2nd Floor
1214 Queen Street W, Toronto

FREE! fun! SNACKS! cake!
books! DJ! art! READINGS!
PERFORMANCES! nice people!

Do you want to MAKE YOUR OWN FILM? Do you love MOVIES, TELLING STORIES and PERFORMING? Do you think you have what it takes to ACT?

Acting for the Camera was a FREE weekly workshop led by professional film director Dominic Desjardins. Participants learned how to:

• develop acting techniques
• brainstorm script ideas with writer Emily Pohl-Weary
• all about the industry from producer Rayne Zukerman
• make in their own short films!

Dates and Length

CHECK BACK FOR MORE INFO

On March 8, 2011, the Street Writers took to the stage at the Art Bar Reading Series in Toronto. A former participant, after watching the night's footage, emailed to say it was more fun than the Academy Awards! Heh. We modestly agree. :)

Check out photos by Nadia Alam:

And video by Michael Healy:

Check out the Global TV news segment on us, in a segment called Making a Difference: "How local authors and artists are helping young writers in Parkdale get a chance to find their voice and share their experiences. Susan Hay reports."

It features PSWers Addi Stewart, Dizia Raposo-Ferreira, Muffin-M'randa Rachael-Star Jones, Jeff Vallejo, Ben Cope, Michael Healy and Lily Tung (with special guest author Kristyn Dunnion)!

The Toronto Sun recently ran a fantastic article about our group: Why funding the arts doesn’t just cater to the black tie set:

"Too many people think the arts are the exclusive domain of people who attend black tie galas or high-priced theatre openings. But the arts are accessible — and they make a difference on the ground. Parkdale Street Writers, an arts group, is doing just that. Making a difference."

and

Writers work on everything from short stories and poetry, to graphic novels, hip-hop lyrics and screenplays. The positive benefits for the young writers are impressive, says Pohl-Weary. “The main change I see in them is the building up of their confidence. They gain the ability to speak their minds. It’s as much about communication and speaking your thoughts, your feelings and, in some cases, you trauma. People come out of their shells.”

Also, Shameless Magazine ran this lovely profile of Parkdale Street Writer Marlene Leung on their blog:

Shameless: What is the most important thing we can do in order to change the world?
Marlene: Love each other and love the planet. (Sorry that’s two things).

Written and illustrated by Toronto Street Writers, our collection Between Insanity and Brilliance is the culmination of our year-long writing workshop.

To get your own copy, please send $5 to Parkdale Young Writers Group, 1303 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6H 3G1.

Toronto's creative young writers find their unique voices, tell their own stories, and represent what's it's like to find your way in this city. Youth challenge all stereotypes of Canadian writing through fabulously diverse poetry, fiction, non-fiction, comics and screenplays. The book is also illustrated with their original art and photography--so you literally get to see the city through their eyes.

Keeping read to access online selections from the publication.

One of our multi-talented participants, Ziadh Rabbani, ran the most incredible songwriting workshop this evening (December 16, 2009). The results of our labour were so hilarious and awesome that I have to post them here! Check them out and join our group, every Tuesday evening at 5 pm.

Band: The Villains Addi, Zeyneb, Marlene, Anna, Meghan, Muffin >>> Play "Evil" <<<

Band: Betty and the Turnips Marlon, Jessica, Alyssa, Riadh >>> Play "Cannibal" <<<

Band: Jeff and the Puppets Jeff, Dizia, Max, Sarah >>> Play "Til Death Do Us Party" <<<

We're thrilled to announce that our web magazine, The Scrawl, is now online!

There are stories, poems, comics, even a couple of screenplays written by some of the participants in the first-ever Parkdale Street Writers: A Boot Camp for Young Dreamers.

The work by Muffin M'randa Rachel Star Jones, Benjamin Cope, Marlon, Rupi Natt, Cristina Gardeazabal and Danielle Thomas will make you laugh, cry, question the meaning of life, and burn with a quiet anger!

Seriously. Check it out! We'll be adding work by more participants in the future.

Check out this article about our upcoming video game workshop and workshop leader Jim Munroe on Torontoist:

We've just gone through our archives here and it seems like we've managed to reach 2009 without mentioning the Artsy Game Incubator. Hmm. Well, rather than lament our foolishness, let us explain that it's a collaborative game development group for artists and people who want to make games but have no technical skills (or not enough) that uses simple and accessible tools to allow their game concepts to be developed.

The program ran in February 10, 2009. No special programming skills were required! To join a group like this, check out Jim's Artsy Game Incubator site. Or drop us a line.