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INTERVIEWS





Students from UTM’s first spoken word course take the mic for live performance



April, 2023





I'm thrilled to announce the end of term showcase to celebrate the University of Toronto's first ever spoken word credit course, presented by the Department of English & Drama at UofT's Mississauga campus. This showcase was organized by and features the work of my 3rd and 4th year students, as well as an open-stage. A few weeks ago, I chatted with Ali Raza about the event, along with student organizer Sumyia Hashim, who shared her thoughts about this ground-breaking course.


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Women's month feature: On by blacks.com



March, 2023





In this lovely feature on my work by veteran culture & entertainment writer Ann Marie Collymore, she begins by pondering the question of legacy: "Legacy is a word that I write about a lot on these pages. Artists, creators, actors, writers, playwrights, musicians—you name it, the list is long. However, all of us are searching for the same thing. The burning question that I think everyone mulls on is: ‘What is legacy to you?’ It can be many things for everyone. However, I believe the core characteristic we all look to is the impact our legacy leaves once we depart this plane...."


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Celebrating Black history month on Global tv



February, 2023





In celebration of Black History Month, I was invited on Global News Toronto's morning show to chat with Marianne Dimain about the intersection of Black history and spoken word and the importance of youth using their voices to share their stories.


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INVESTIGATING THE INTERSECTION OF BLACK HISTORY AND FAITH



March, 2023





"Thompson said that through her research, she found out that faith, whether it be Christian or not, was not just important for civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr, but that Christianity also had deep ties to Africa in antiquity. It made her realize that the connection between white supremacy and theology of Christianity is propaganda. “[The] coupling of white supremacy and Christianity is mythological,” Thompson said. “I had a lot of assumptions about what Christianity is… [but] it has been a cornerstone of the Black community… [and that deconstruction] is hopefully what I’m trying to do.” Chatting with Marta Anielska about poetry, history and spirituality.


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Chatting poetry & Passion with Wax poetic



February, 2023





I had a great time talking about passion and poetry and sharing some tracks from my album, The Good Word on Wax Poetic. This show is hosted by my long-time poetry buddy RC Weslowski and his lovely co-host, Altogether Lisa. The two are wonderful to talk to - I loved doing this interview. Have a listen and check the Wax Poetic archives for more poetry gems.


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Telling Black Canadian Stories: celebrating BHM



February, 2023





This conversation is part of the York Region Arts Council's Black History Month celebration of Black Excellence through art. This is an intimate discussion that will explore the importance of Black storytelling, the power of stories as vehicles for conversations about Black identity and representation, and the different ways each of these authors celebrates and explores their culture through their writing. With panelists Ken Carter and Greg Frankson and moderator Lalaa Comrie. .


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An audible arc of black faith: Broadview Magazine Interview



February, 2023





Canadian artist’s new album is an audible arc of Black faith, as Andrea Thompson explores the relationship between Christianity and Black identity on 'The Good Word'. Thompson takes us on a journey of soulful melodies anchored in classic Black spirituals, blues and jazz, with the competent musical assistance of composer Evren Oz.Interview and album review by Broadview Magazine contributor, Byron Armstrong


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Beloved Calgary morning show celebrates Black History Month!



February, 2023





On February 1st I had a chance to welcome in Black History month by speaking with Sue and Andy on their popular morning show on QR107 FM in Calgary. We chatted about Black History in Canada, the importance of teaching Black History in schools, as well as sharing some work from my new album, The Good Word. Here's the audio if you'd like to check it out...


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Path to creation: Season two feature on Yes tv



February, 2022





In the summer of 2021, as I was in the process of recording my upcoming album, The Good Word in my producer Evren Oz's studio, I chatted with Igal about the intersection of creativity and faith. Later that day, Igal and his crew joined me, along with family and friends, on the shores of the Niagara river as I was baptized as a New Believer by Pastor Jon Sarpong from Inspire Church (myinspire360.com). Check out our adventure on Path to Creation on YES TV.


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Chatting with valentino assenza on ciut fm's howl



February, 2023





In celebration of Black History Month, fellow poet and radio host, Valentino Assenza had me on his show on HOWL CIUT to talk about my new spoken word album, The Good Word. The show also featured FOLD festival founder, Jael Richardson, who came on to share about her new children's book, The Hockey Jersey.


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University of Toronto's Bulletin Brief: Artist feature



February, 2023





"Andrea Thompson, a sessional lecturer at the University of Toronto Mississauga, has dug deep into her roots – and the lives of Black historical figures – to tell their harrowing stories in her new spoken word album The Good Word. The album focuses on the experiences of historical Black figures, including Harriet Tubman, American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson and Martin Luther King Jr. "


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the business immigrant magazine features 'the good word'



February, 2023





In celebration of Black History Month, The Business Immigrant Magazine has run a feature on my new album, The Good Word to help promote the Toronto Launch at the Poetry Jazz Cafe on February 22, 2023. I met TBI's publisher,at a recent event in celebration of the art work of Ilene Sova at the Arid Gallery in Toronto, which also featured a show by the gallery board called "Carrying Wood." Check out the full article to find out more....


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Ontario culture days celebrates National poetry month



April, 2022





In celebration of National Poetry Month, Ontario Culture Days teamed up with the League of Canadian Poets to feature three League members. Sani Wanna, Dwayne Morgan and I were asked about our own work, the future of poetry as a genre, as well as our reflections on the NPM 2022, theme of “Intimacy”. Since 1998, The League of Canadian Poets has been encouraging people to learn about and celebrate poets and poetry. Lesley Fletcher, Executive Director of The League of Canadian Poets, shares the history of the League and the inspiration behind National Poetry Month.


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Feminism, Blackness, politics, poetry & process: lcp podcast



Spring, 2021





Feminist Caucus in Conversation: a chapbook and audio project from the League of Canadian Poets. In this project, listen to members of the LCP Feminist Caucus interview each other on topics including poetry (naturally), shared identities, the writing process, family, politics, and more. The League has assembled a chapbook featuring poems by the poets from the conversation series. The 2020 Feminist Caucus Living Archives Series chapbook was edited by Shazia Hafiz Ramji and was produced as a part of the LCP Chapbook Series.


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An Eloquent Bitch: Podcast interview with Rayanne Haines



April 15, 2021





An interview with poet and academic, Rayanne Haines on her fabulous new podcast - celebrating the voices and views of women identifying writers, publishers and agents in Canada as they tackle questions around social movements, cultural trends, feminism #CanLit and inclusion / representation in the literary world.


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six questions: with rob mclennan



February 28, 2021





Chatting with iconic Ottawa poet, rob mclennan about my memories of the city for this wonderful blog series, posted by Chaudiere Books: Ottawa's most beloved publisher of poetry and fiction.


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Brockton Writer's Series interview: the poetic collage



BWS 13.11.19





The Brockton Writer's Series in Toronto offered me a wonderful opportunity to share a bit about my passion for creating poetry collages. Check out the rest of their site for more unique local author features. (photo by Terri Quinn).


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from spoken word artist to novelist: An interview



January 29, 2015





In this interview with the lovely folks at Inanna Publications, I chat about the process of switching genres and taking the leap into writing a novel.


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Poetry is Love: an interview with the League of canadian poets



Golden Beret Award Interview, 2019





From the jury: Andrea Thompson is a Canadian icon of spoken word and her submissions reflect her long and praiseworthy career… Chatting with the folks at the League upon receipt of their 2019 Sheri-D Wilson Golden Beret Award.


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Firelight interview series



July 12, 2015





Chatting with award-winning author, novelist and poet, Lauren Carter about writing, process, animal documentaries, racialized character creation, Jane Austin and more...


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University of guelph: Alumni Spotlight



2010 Cohort





An alumni profile where I chat with Open Book Toronto about my experiences in the University of Guelph's Creative Writing MFA program and what it was like to return to school after being a working artist for two decades.


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© Andrea Thompson



2023