Poetry and Hip Hop by the Shore

Meet your neighbours during an evening of FREE bicycle-powered performances in Reeson Park (Wharf Street, south of the Johnson Street bridge and the Northern Junk buildings), hosted by the Victoria Downtown Residents Association.

The concert will feature performances by spoken word poet Shauntelle Dick-Charleson and Hip Hop emcee Nikky E. See below for performer bios.

Invite your friends, grab a blanket or a lawn chair, and bring along a picnic!

This event will take place on the homelands of the Lekwungen People.

We are grateful to Vancity for their financial assistance.

Accessibility details: The event will take place in the sloped, grassy section of Reeson Park. The performances can also be viewed and heard from a flat, paved, street-level area adjacent to the sidewalk on Wharf Street. If you have questions or concerns about accessibility at the event, please contact us at engage@victoriadra.ca.

We encourage those who are able to walk, cycle or take public transit to the event. The closest bus stops are on Wharf at Yates (routes 10, 14 and 15) and on Johnson at Wharf (routes 24 and 25). There is paid parking in the Bastion Square Parkade on Yates Street, as well as a few spots in a small lot beside the Northern Junk buildings, just north of the park.

About the performers:

Shauntelle/Huupʔaqsa/TSAYŁE is a poet from the Hesquiaht and Songhees First Nations who began writing in grade 10. Her work focuses on Indigenous topics like residential schools, intergenerational trauma, and the experiences of Indigenous women. In 2019, she competed with the Vic slam team at the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word and they placed 8th at nationals. She also recently competed against poets from all over Canada and placed 2nd at the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam Finals. Shauntelle also has two poems featured in the Aboriginal Voices 2 and hopes to one day publish her own book.

Nicole “Nikky E” Ermineskin is a Nêhiyaw mother, Hip Hop emcee, and audio engineer/producer. Raised in East Van, she blends music, media, and community work through event production, youth mentorship, and Indigenous storytelling. Inspired by early Hip Hop, she continues to create, teach, perform, and uplift through her art and leadership. https://nikkyemusic.bandcamp.com/