Turning the Tide presents a book launch for “Horn” with poet and spoken word artist Dwennimmen (AKA Shima Aisha Robinson) with guest poet Elise Pallagi.

Amigos Cantina (Back Room)

Tickets: Sliding scale (suggested donation $10) available at the door.

About Dwennimmen AKA Shima Aisha Robinson

Amiskwaciwâskahikan aka Edmonton (Treaty 6)-born poet and spoken word artist Shima Robinson embodies, with every poem, the ancient meaning of her chosen pen name. Dwennimmen is the name of an ancient African Adinkra symbol, which means strength, humility, learning and wisdom. It is no surprise, then, that this veteran of the Alberta poetry community uses a searing intellect and dynamic precision-of-language to create poetry which ushers her readers and listeners toward greater understanding and poignant reflection. For Dwennimmen, poetry has long been a compass, a salve, an anchor and guiding light. She uses the potential and force of poetry to uncover the full range of her cerebral, linguistic and spiritual fortitude. This is why her every poem and performance testifies to an emerging power and wisdom, an authentic, deeply human potency which she hopes to pass on to listeners and poetry-lovers around the world.

About Elise Pallagi

Elise Pallagi is a poet and multi-disciplinary performance artist and a member of the 2017 Saskatoon Poetry Slam Team. Elise’s work focuses on her personal experience and struggles as a transgender woman growing up and living in the Canadian prairie. As a performer, Elise has been a featured artist at The Canadian Festival of Spoken Word, Regina Word Up, Tonight it’s Poetry, The Saskatoon Pride Festival and The Ness Creek Music Festival and has performed at numerous shows and open mics across Canada. Combining elements of Vaudeville, Burlesque, subversive politics and roller derby with slam poetry, she likes to convey emotional authenticity and relatability in her work, that both moves audiences and touches hearts and minds.