I'm featuring in two poetry events this weekend with a whole lot of other fantastic poets and musicians.

◇ On Saturday afternoon I will be a guest poet at 'Words and Music Salon' hosted by Linda Stitt and Lucky Mike from 1:30p-4:30p at Vino Rosso, 995 Bay St (just north of Wellesley St).

◇ On Sunday evening I will be performing poetry with masks and video at a 'Syrian Refugee Poetry & Music Fundraiser' hosted by Sharon Goodier from 7p-10p at Beit Zatoun, 612 Markham St (near Bloor and Bathurst) ▻ their facebook event page https://www.facebook.com/events/802749636487643.

If you're in Toronto and can come out to one or both events, I'd be chuffed to see you.

Latest painting. It's finished except for some detail work - the paint is thick and still too wet. Haven't thought of a title yet. Model was originally from a life-drawing session last year at Bampot Teahouse, two 20 min poses. 16" x 20" oil on canvas.

Last Saturday night was a 'breakout' session for me - for the first time, I performed at a poetry event with some of my video poems playing on a screen behind me. At least, the video part of the poems, with their music. I either read or recited poems and wore a mask for one of them. I had prepared my set over the previous weeks, managing to get the video tracks to work with my pico projector. At the last minute, I got cold feet, and tried to cancel, but ultimately did the set and it went over very well. It was a private Poetry Salon at Norman Cristofoli's house, and he just wrote in an email:

Just wanted to let you know that I have had rave reviews about your performance at the Salon on Saturday.

Here is one quote from an e-mail:

"And the Salon kept us all up to date with what seems to be the latest in poetry: ‘voice-over’ poetry, combined with original music and visual video content.

One might say: four art forms combined! All as cleverly presented by Brenda Clews, whom I had a chance to thank in person. She seems equally talented in all four art forms, although I thought her little sculpture was in a class by itself."

As for me, I think it was one of the best performances ever at my Salons. So unique, creative, entertaining and moving.

[Blushes.] The audience was small, which helped me to go ahead and do the set as planned, and simply wonderful. A great group of people. Many thanks to all!

There will be no April Poetry Salon at Urban Gallery - there is a wedding in the Gallery that evening and Urban Catering will be prepping the room in the afternoon. The next Salon will be at the end of May, on Saturday afternoon the 30th.

I have two upcoming mini features, though. I will be a Guest Poet at Vino Rosso on Saturday afternoon, from 1:30-4:30pm, hosted by Linda Stitt, 995 Bay St, Toronto. And a short feature at a Fundraiser being held by Sharon Goodier for a Palestinian refugee from Syria who is being sponsored by her United Church at Beit Zatoum, 612 Markham St., Toronto (near Bathurst Stn), 7pm Sunday evening May 3rd. More info on those poetry spots later.

last Tuesday on the subway

The size they are on-screen is the size they are in-life. Transit Drawings #1, #3, ©BrendaClews, 5.5"x8", 14x20.3cm, graphite, Pentel brush pen, Strathmore 400 Series 80lb toned gray sketch paper acid free.