Tower Poetry Society
Promoting poetry since 1951
TPS was born in the McMaster University tower
When established at McMaster University in 1951, the members would meet in a room in the “Tower”, which is part of University Hall. Hence, the members decided that the name of the organization would be The Tower Poetry Society. Little did those early members know that the TPS would expand to include non-university members and hold its monthly meetings in other venues within the Hamilton community. In 2026, TPS will celebrate 75 years of promoting and publishing poetry. The Society is Canada’s oldest continuously operating poetry group.
THE TWIN COMMITMENTS OF TPS:
TOWER POETRY, published twice annually, receives open submissions during February and August.
Monthly poetry workshops are held the 2nd Saturday most months* at Westdale Library from 2 – 4pm (*see page for details and exceptions).
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Our next Events…
- Deadline is Feb. 28, 2026, for the TPS bi-annual publication… Submissions are rolling in! Have you submitted yours? (If you’ve emailed info@towerpoetry.ca, then we have received your submission.)
- Our next workshop: Saturday, March 14, 2-4 pm at Westdale library. You know the drill!
- Our next Open Mic is Tuesday, March 24th, 2026, at Fool and Flagon. They have amazing food and it’s always a fun night of poetry with like-minded poetry-lovers😊
Complete details: https://towerpoetry.ca/workshops/
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- #TPS75 February Anniversary Challenge: Year of the Horse/Bus Stop
Use one of the poems you picked up at the last workshop or Open Mic, or print out your own with this template:
Directions —
- Print double-sided and handwrite or paste your own poem to the blank area.
- Tape up inside a bus shelter or other transit waiting area. Take a photo and share online with TPS.
- #TPS75 February Anniversary Challenge: Year of the Horse/Bus Stop
(PDF) TPS 75th yr of Horse Bus Stop challenge
(Word) tps 75th Yr of Horse template
TPS 75th yr of Horse Bus Stop challenge
- Ongoing — The TPS 75th Anniversary (More Poetic Offerings, here!) — Watch your inboxes for details on our February Poetic Challenge — Give a TPS Valentine’s Poem Card to people you love, or even strangers on the street!
- Rhyme, Rhythm, and Reason open mic. Poets, songwriters, fiction – anything literary goes. Takes place the first Thursday of the month (usually). Laidlaw Memorial Church, 7:00-9:00pm, 155 Ottawa St. North, Hamilton. Free parking. Snacks, coffee/tea/water available to purchase. Free, but you can donate. Sign up starts at 6:30pm. This is an old link (waiting for a new one) – next date is March 5, 2026.
- Write On Write Now open mic. Poets, writers, musicians, stand-up comics. Takes place the third Friday of the month (usually). The Centre for Talking Arts, 8:00pm, 154 James St. South, Hamilton. Snacks and drinks available for purchase. Free, but you can donate. Sign up starts at 7:30pm. https://www.cfta.live/
- Salon of the Refused (poster attached).
Saturday, March 21, 2026 from 2:00-4:00 pm at the Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. North https://staircasehamilton.com/event/lounge-salon-of-the-refused/
Find a friend and carpool?
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This Year’s Art Walk Publication: TPS Art Walk 2025 Booklet & Artwork Insert
Publication Preview
TPS 60th Anniversery Anthology
You can revisit all of the PoARTry dances…
Dances of Poetry & Art – online event
** The TPS Website was overhauled and simplified in 2014, which meant that many aspects of the old site could not be continued. Our historical (archived) Poetry & Information website towerpoetry.ca/poetryplus contains a wealth of information, history, poetry and commentary.