Tanya Evanson is an interdisciplinary artist originally from Montreal, Quebec now based in Vancouver, BC, Canada. She works in poetry, spoken word, music and dance. Since 1995, she has produced five poetry chapbooks, two spoken wor(l)d music CDs and performed extensively in Canada; she has also featured in anthologies, on international recordings and an award-winning videopoem. A classically trained Sufi Dancer (Semazen) since 2002, she toured Europe, Turkey and Japan for many years from her base in Istanbul and now continues in Canada. As one-woman-arts organizer Mother Tongue Media, she also produces arts events that bridge disciplines and cultures. The most recent event being ANU 8 - HUNGER, held in October 2010. Spoken word and vocal performance highlights include The Vancouver Folk Music Festival, Calgary International Spoken Word Festival, Vancouver International Storytelling Festival, Beats Without Borders, Poetry Gabriola Festival, ANU, SLAM, Sistahood, When Sisters Speak and appearances on international recordings by Mercan Dede, Brifo and Jerry the Cat. Open your arms if you want to be held.
Tanya Evanson ended Arts Summit 2010 with a powerful and soul-moving performance of spoken word. For those who stayed until the end, I’m sure you will agree that she was truly inspirational."
Amir Ali Alibhai, ALLIANCE FOR ARTS & CULTURE
“Evanson’s subtle irony and figurative language is prolific and precise as she peels the dermis of her mind stripping each layer of thought from the trunk of her existence. Her language is strong, rich, and vibrant and comes across with the authority of the new era in Black Canadian thought.”
Anthony Joyette, CACIQUE
“Tanya Evanson's poetry is a voluptuous, rhythmic song. Her voice comes from deep in her belly and erupts across the page like a slow moving fire, leaving the trace of heartache...” Rocco de Giacomo, LATCHKEY
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