Say Anything/Something
Say Anything/Something is a community-based performance and workshop series connecting professional, emerging, and amateur artists, both visiting and local, with the wider Okanagan community through writing and performance. In this series, invited authors and performers will present work alongside emerging and amateur authors and performers, and offer accessible, free literary workshops to the public.
In 2025/26, the series has 5 events and 5 workshops. Each event features professional authors or performers paired with emerging authors or performers, and an open mic where people from all backgrounds and skill levels are invited to share their poetry, prose, music, and comedy in front of a diverse and encouraging audience. Through this combination of professional, emerging, and amateur presenters, Say Anything/Something creates networking, training, and knowledge sharing opportunities across practitioners of varying skill level and experience. Further, by blending local and visiting, as well as professional, emerging, and amateur artists “Say Anything/Something” breaks down antiquated and elitist artistic barriers, creating opportunities for community connection and mentorship not just in Kelowna, but across BC and Canada.
Say Anything/Something is an expansion of our yoothspohk program into an offering for people of all ages, as well as a reimagining of our writing workshops, which had seen a decline in attendance. It sees us reimagine our writers’ workshops from social to pedagogical: instead of providing a space for amateur writers to receive feedback from one another, we are presenting training sessions to develop their artistic skill and knowledge. Each free workshop will take place in accessible, local venues, with 15 in-person spots and be streamed online. The workshops will not be cumulative, so the public can engage in one or all the modules based on their interest.
The reading and workshop series culminates in a final, hybrid event, hosted at the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art. Here, the participants in the workshops will get the opportunity to perform their music, poetry, comedy or other Spoken Word piece that they have created in the program alongside some of the workshop presenters.
This program is generously sponsored by BC Arts Council, UBC Okanagan’s Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, Central Okanagan Foundation, the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art, and the City of Kelowna.
Say Anything/Something Season 16 Events
Performances:
November 27, 2025: Joanna Cockerline with Jesse Norman, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm @ BNA Burger
January 29, 2026: Mackenzie Ground with Ken Shaw, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm @ BNA Burger
April 9, 2026: Erin Scott and jaz papadopoulos, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm @ BNA Burger
Workshops:
November 29, 2025: Joanna Cockerline, Prose Writing Workshop, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm @ the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art
January 31st, 2026: Mackenzie Ground, “Branches of Memories,” 11:00 am - 1:00 pm @ the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art
April 11, 2026: jaz papadopoulos, Writing Workshop, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm @ the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art
Click here for event details!
Note: All workshops are free and first come, first served, so arrive early to ensure your spot! No preregistration required.
