Slam poet teams with Ok Symphony

Photo: Contributed - shanekoyczan.com

Shane Koyczan will perform next month with the Okanagan Symphony

The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra brings award winning poet, author and performer Shane Koyczan to perform his debut with orchestra: an evening of words and music that will tantalize and open our imaginations to a world of possibilities.

“Shane is so talented and we are looking forward to his orchestra debut as we bring spoken word to our stages next month,” says Rosemary Thomson, Music Director of the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra.

“Shane’s talent as an artist embraces audiences and paired with our professional orchestra will capture our imaginations.”

The world took notice of Shane Koyczan when his influential, anti-bullying, “To This Day Project” video went viral in early 2013 with 10 million views and counting. 

Powerfully engaging and authentic, Shane’s explorations are relevant to our times in the way that Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen were to theirs.

But unlike the musicians that he’s often compared to, poets rarely infiltrate pop culture. Shane emerges in a new wave of 21st century poetry that dares to belong to the people and speak directly to them in their own voice.

He is both a writer and spoken word virtuoso.

His first published collection, “Visiting Hours,” was the only work of poetry selected by both the Guardian and the Globe and Mail for their Best Books of the Year lists in 2005. Destined to become a future classic, “Visiting Hours” is now in its third edition, and includes “We Are More,” performed by Shane at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

“SYMPHONY AND SYLLABLES” hits the stage for three concerts this month, March 7 in Kelowna, March 8 Penticton and March 9 in Vernon. 

Tickets for concerts can be purchased at the Kelowna Actors Studio 1379 Ellis Street by phone: 250.862.2867, Penticton Wine Information Centre  553 Railway Street or by phone 250.276.2170 and the Vernon Performing Arts Centre  33rd St at 38th Ave or by phone: 250.549.7469 or online via the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra website