The West Enders

The West Enders Vol. 5, Issues 1 and 2 are here and they are lovely. Thanks to the many many contributors.

Slam Poet Justice Riley shares her piece "Hope" at Likely General, June 14, 2018. Justice was part of West End Alternative School's Slam team, which competed at the 2018 Louder Than A Bomb Toronto poetry slam. Justice was a part of the 2017 and 2018 West Enders' publishing program.

Slam Poet Emily shares "Transcendance" at this year's West Enders Book Launch at Likely General. Emily was one of the members of West End Alternative's slam team, which competed in the semi-finals of Louder Than a Bomb Toronto, 2018. She also participated in the West Enders publishing program.

Slam Poet Alicia shares "Ten Things I've Learned About Love" at this year's West Enders Book Launch at Likely General. Alicia was one of the members of West End Alternative's slam team, which competed in the semi-finals of Louder Than a Bomb Toronto, 2018. They also participated in the West Enders publishing program.

Slam Poet Laurence shares "Honesty" at this year's West Enders Book Launch at Likely General. Laurence was one of the members of West End Alternative's slam team, which competed in the semi-finals of Louder Than a Bomb Toronto, 2018. He also participated in the West Enders publishing program.

Video by Chris S. of ReelLit’s class of 2016-17.

Directed by Dylan. Part of ReelLit at West End Alternative School's Elements and Principles Series.

This video was produced at West End Alternative as part of the ReelLit program's music video project. Thanks to Nick Sherman for working with us a second time.

Bad advice, for sure. Directed by Jazz.

Jack’s character Jack is waiting for a friend. ReelLit, 2015-16.

Kayleigh’s one minute video, “Messages”. 

Tenzin Namsel, contributor to The West Enders Vol. 2, Issues 1 and 2, had the privilege of working on the Parkdale Food Stories Mural this summer. Read his reflection on the process here: http://greenestcity.ca/parkdale-food-stories-reflection-3/

Join us tonight, Thurday, June 18, from 7 to 9 at Extra Butter Coffee at 283 Roncesvalles to celebrate the publication of Vol. 2, Issues 1 and 2 of The West Enders.

Lookie here! Vol. 2, Issues 1 and 2!

Walking past a pack of men, Averting my eyes so they won’t remark About me being alone, but they whistled so loud That I could only bark.

There was once a beautiful princess who had been cursed to never speak. Her father, beloved king in the land, called upon every mage under his rule, but none could lift the baffling curse that had come upon his only child. When she came of age, the king sought out young men to succeed him. But none of the nobles would marry a girl who could not sing their praises. They insisted the princess could not marry, and that he choose another to be queen. The king sent his daughter away with a heavy heart, hoping she would find a way to break the curse. Devastated, the princess wandered the woods. She exuded a gentleness and purity that drew the animals to her. They lead her to a spring in the heart of the woods. After drinking from it, the princess stood and danced through the night, stopping and falling asleep when the sun rose. A crofter’s son had been out that night, gathering wood. He stumbled across the princess dancing. So stricken was he by her grace and beauty, that the boy fell in love and watched her until daylight. Then he took her and carried her back to his home. When the princess woke, he spoke gently to her, offering her fruit from his table. The princess accepted with a smile. The boy cared not that she was unable to speak; he decided to marry her the very next day. The moment the he slipped the ring onto her finger, the princess broke out into a beautiful aria, her voice restored. She took her husband back to the castle, where the nobles gaped in envy. The king was overjoyed. —Eleanor Georgi, from our 2015 zine, Fairy Tale Nightmares

At the #AGO with the fine work of #kentmonkman and #brianjungen.