JAYU Festival of the Arts: Poetry Slam
JAYU Slams
Words have power and we're giving them the stage.
Get ready for our most high energy event of the JAYU Festival of the Arts. A poetry slam where 10 poets go head to head, bringing their words, stories, and perspectives to the mic for a chance to be crowned the JAYU Slams Champion of Winter 2026 and take home a $350 cash prize.
Expect bold performances, raw honesty, unexpected perspectives, and words that stick in your brain. From personal stories to nuanced social commentary, these poets are stepping up to share what matters to them, one verse at a time.
Featured Poet
Patrick de Belen
Patrick de Belen is a Toronto-based Filipino-Canadian poet, filmmaker, and arts educator whose work explores mental health, grief, and collective healing. An internationally recognized spoken-word artist, he has been named both Canadian Poet of Honour and Youth Poet of Honour, among other storytelling accolades. His work has been featured by the Toronto Raptors, the NFL, TVO, TEDx, CBC and more. PDB’s multidisciplinary practice blends lyricism with dreams of liberation and the exploration of narratives often unheard - while inviting audiences into honest, transformative conversations about belonging, loss, and love. Off the stage and screen, he can be found building storytelling platforms in spaces across the world.
Hosted by
Desiree Mckenzie
Desiree Mckenzie is an award-winning poet, arts educator, national poetry slam champion, voice actor and programming manager at JAYU. Her poetry and voice have been featured in works for CBC, the TTC, Clearco Financial, Button Poetry, Kids Help Phone and Home Depot. She facilitates a range of community poetry programming for organizations like JAYU, VIBE Arts, Unity Charity and Poetry in Voice. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Guelph. As program manager at JAYU, she curates free arts programming for equity-deserving youth, helping them to grow in their artistic careers.
Agenda
- 7:00 pm
Doors Open
Arrive, connect with the community, and find your perfect seat.
- 7:30 pm
Opening Remarks
Opening remarks and an introduction to the JAYU Festival of the Arts and JAYU Slams.
Poetry Begins
- 10:00 pm
JAYU Slams Concludes
FAQs
- What is JAYU?
JAYU is a registered Canadian charity that equips and platforms equity-deserving individuals dedicated to using art for change. Rooted in community and informed by human rights, we deliver transformative arts programs and mentorship for youth across the GTA, as well as education and employment opportunities for emerging arts professionals.
Our work is guided by a shared belief in the power of art to transform lives. With the support of our staff, artists, educators, and Board of Directors, we create safe creative spaces through our iAM programming, showcase opportunities like our annual poetry slams, the JAYU Festival of the Arts and by partnering with organizations across the city to bring arts into community hubs and public spaces.
- What is JAYU Festival of the Arts?
JAYU Festival of the Arts (JFA) is a 7-day celebration of creative expression rooted in human rights and social justice, featuring films, workshops, performances, an exhibition, and an artist market. We believe art can be a tool for change by sharing human rights stories, building empathy, fostering healing and community, and sparking the conversations that help push the world toward a more equitable, loving place.
- Where are you?
JAYU Slams will be hosted on the main floor of 401 Richmond Street West within the Urbanspace Gallery.
- How does ticketing work?
As part of JAYU’s commitment to accessibility, we offer different types of ticketing to every event to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to enjoy the festival.
Free Admission: Creates access to our space and events for those who may not be in a position to give.
Give-What-You-Can: Builds welcoming spaces for everyone to share their stories. This option is for folks that are able to donate and wish to support JAYU Festival of the Arts and our programming.
- What is accessibility like at your venue?
401 Richmond is wheelchair accessible with gender neutral washrooms. Wheelchair entrances are located:
At the front entrance near the Roastery Café (east of Spadina Avenue)
At the north-east corner of the building, near the Spacing and Swipe retail shops (west of the corner of Richmond and Peter Streets).
Paid parking is available within the area. We recommend:
83 Peter Street (underground lot; card and online payment options available; 5 minute walk)
448 Richmond Street West (outdoor lot; physical card required; 2 minute walk)
Thank you to our sponsors and funders!
As a registered charity, JAYU’s work is made possible by the generous support of our funders and partners. We gratefully acknowledge the Government of Canada, through Canadian Heritage’s Canadian Arts Presentation Fund and Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program Events Stream, for supporting the JAYU Festival of the Arts.
We also thank our year-round supporters: TD Bank, Lead iAM Core Sponsor; Ontario Trillium Foundation; Charles H. Ivey Foundation; Canada Life; TELUS Friendly Future Foundation; The Daniels Corporation; Canada Council for the Arts; Sony Canada; and the F.K. Morrow Foundation.
Our year-round operations are supported by Toronto Arts Council, with funding from the City of Toronto, and the Ontario Arts Council.
Thank you to all our supporters for helping JAYU keep art, storytelling, and community at the heart of everything we do.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
