Celebrate the Launch of ISARO with Us!

Join us for a magical summer evening of poetry and community as we celebrate the launch of ISARO, Candice Joy Oliva's debut chapbook which beautifully intertwines Bicolano, Tagalog, and English.

Event Highlights

🌟 Free event with snacks & refreshments — everyone is welcome to join and celebrate!
📚 Print chapbooks will be available for $12 (cash & e-transfer).
🎤 Limited community open mic slots; Sign up info below
🙏 Supported by the Edmonton Arts Council

About The Author

Candice Joy Oliva (she/they/siya) is an immigrant settler from Bicol, Philippines to Amiskwacîwâskahikan on Treaty 6. Their poetry explores the bridges and distances of heritage languages in connecting to our roots while, at the same time, finding kapwa all around. Siya hopes to continue reimagining joyful spaces to energize a practice of poetry and community care into alignment. She also fulfills this dream through community work, gardening and long walks with loved ones. IG: @candicejoyoliva.

We simply can't wait to launch Candice Joy's debut chapbook into the world.

As her chapbook editor, Mila Bongco-Philipzig, writes:

"The poems in Candice Joy Oliva’s ISARO weave a delicate path through rupture, reconciliation, loss, awakening, and affirmation of change and growth . . . Like her memories of quietly and peacefully stringing flower garlands with her grandmother, Candice Joy Oliva strings together the memories, scents, sights, desires, and ambiguities in her life, as she grapples with having to leave home and heritage to move to another, as she contends with restrictive traditions, as she also appreciates the fullness of having multiple cultures."

Register Below:

Want to read at the Open Mic?

We have limited spots available for folks interested in reading their work as part of an open mic. Our online sign-up is now over. We will have a few spots available at the event. First come, first serve.