Student Intern Kyle Jansen covers River Volta Reading Series

The River Volta Reading Series began in 2013, founded by MFA in Writing students Sara-Jane Keith and Chelsea Forbes. The series is entirely student-run and takes place once a month. Over the past twelve years, MFA in Writing Director Jeanette Lynes remarks that River Volta has hosted a wide range of authors who’ve read from their work, authors from Saskatchewan and beyond. Formats have varied; after the featured authors read, there’s often an open-mic spot. This is a great way for emerging writers to test-drive their poems or excerpts from longer prose pieces. River Volta was held at D’Lish by Tish for quite some time. Recently, the series moved to the newly opened Art Bar. In recent years, the final River Volta Reading has featured the MFA Graduating Class. River Volta readings are free, and everyone is welcome.

On Tuesday, March 11, 2025, the River Volta reading series hosted authors Elena Bentley and Meredith Hambrock.

Elena Bentley, in addition to being an editor for the Saskatchewan magazine Grain, is a multi-genre writer and poet who was recently awarded the 2024 CBC Poetry Prize Longlist for the poem, “Citrus Dreams.” Grain isn’t her first foray into editorial work, though, with credits as a Managing/Poetry Editor for untethered magazine, Associate Prose Editor for Windscript Magazine, and as Managing/Poetry Editor for both Windscript Magazine and spring Magazine. She also wrote a children’s picture book, The Pickle in Grandma’s Fridge, and a poetry chapbook, taliped.

Bentley said she felt lucky to be there on Tuesday night, but I believe luck had little to do with her presence on stage as she sat before the crowded bar of curious and excited patrons. Bentley exuded a contagious confidence that filled the room as she began reading from her chapbook, taliped. Her opening poem, “Taliped,” was a raw and impassioned personal take about her physical disabilities and “peculiar body,” focusing on not just her internal struggle, but that of society’s judgmental stigma forcefully placed upon her. She later wrote to me that doing readings about her disability is not as much exhausting as they are an emotional experience. They are not empowering, but “like releasing a steam valve.” And yet, after all the weight put on Bentley, these personal poems about her disabilities are not what define her. What defines her is her skills as a written storyteller, sharing her favourite poems with rapt audiences. If there was any good luck to be had that night, it was my chance at being there.

Meredith Hambrock was the second reader that night. She has a history of being a prolific writer of TV Comedy, having worked on over 100 episodes of the “Corner Gas Animated” show and two books. Her first book, Other People’s Secrets, was her debut novel and received much acclaim. Her second book, She’s a Lamb, is on the verge of release at the time of this writing, and was the source of her reading that evening.

Hambrock’s reading was a memorable performance. I had only met Hambrock that night, but was welcomed by a genuinely excited smile and accompanying firm handshake. Her reading, as it turned out, followed the same trend of excitement and firmness. The scene Hambrock read from her new book, She’s a Lamb, is a poignant message about the trappings of our fears, fears about fame, failure, and what she described as a patriarchal God messing with our lives. Hambrock successfully captured the sarcasm and nerves of the main character Jessamyn St. Germain, nerves that Hambrock later told me she struggles with herself at every reading. But perhaps that is part of the charm because, as one public speaking teacher once told me, “Nerves keep us honest.” Like Jessamyn preparing for her new role in “She’s a Lamb,” or Hambrock rehearsing for another public appearance, it’s the honesty of the role we choose which helps keep us on track.

The picture the three of us had taken together makes me laugh every time. It lives in my phone favourites, reminding me that despite how tall I am, it’s me standing beside writing giants. I had never stepped inside the Art Bar before that evening, nor been to a River Volta Reading Series. Honestly, I had no idea what to expect, and maybe that is the best part about that evening: having no expectations. Warm smiles, welcome staff, colleagues embracing one another, and cheers accompanying every performance and reading, telling everyone why they belong in this space. Initially, I was terrified as I sat down and saw all these writers around me, my mind racing alongside my vision because I did not feel like a writer who had accomplished anything yet. The thing about readings is that they are not solely for writers. They are also for listeners. Listening is all you need to do, and writing is a byproduct of listening. This dynamic is why it’s worth seeking out the Art Bar in Saskatoon. It’s not just for comedy and poetry giants like Meredith Hambrock and Elena Bentley to read to an enraptured crowd. It’s for anyone who wants to be a part of Saskatoon’s growing art scene. It’s to sit, listen, partake, and maybe even provide your own words to the stage at the open mic.

The River Volta season finale was the Graduating Class Reading on April 2, 2025, at the Art Bar, 229 20^th Street West, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.