By Olivia Norby – Senior Copy Editor

On Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, Bishop’s University marked a significant milestone—the 20th anniversary of the Morris House Reading Series—by welcoming an extraordinary guest, Montreal-based writer, poet, and filmmaker Liana Cusmano. Known to many as “Luca” or by their stage name, “BiCurious George,” Cusmano is celebrated for their fearless spoken word performances, humor and poignant storytelling. This special event, held during Humanities Week and supported by Academic Enrichment and the Dean’s Office, saw Cusmano engaging with the audience through powerful readings and personal insights into their journey as a queer poet navigating identity and mental health.

Cusmano is no stranger to the world of poetry. They are a three-time Montreal Slam Champion, runner-up in the 2019 Canadian Individual Poetry Slam Championship, and the winner of the 2024 Society Pages Poetry Contest. Their debut novel, Catch & Release (2022), was published by Guernica Editions and centers on Luca, a character navigating love, mental illness, and self-acceptance. Cusmano’s talent for blending personal narrative with fiction has established them as an influential voice in contemporary Canadian literature.

The event began with Cusmano reading their original poem, “Boyfriend.” In this piece, they explored the theme of generational barriers, especially the struggle their grandmother faced in accepting their queer identity. The poem recounted a pivotal moment in Cusmano’s life—coming out to their grandmother—and how they conveyed a “version of the truth” that honored both their identity and the complexities of familial love. With grace and humor, Cusmano used spoken word to bridge gaps between generations and offer a glimpse into the challenges of navigating queer identity within a family.

Cusmano shared that their passion for writing began early in childhood. They emphasized the importance of writing as an outlet for self-expression, saying that their early poetry laid the foundation for their career. After completing a B.A. in English and Cultural Studies at McGill University, Cusmano began to pursue spoken word poetry in earnest. They explained to the audience that while spoken word is the art form, slam poetry is the event—a format in which they have truly excelled.

A highlight of the evening was Cusmano’s poem “Duolingo Owl,” in which they revisited the evolving relationship with their grandmother, now more accepting of their identity. Through this piece, Cusmano demonstrated that even difficult topics can benefit from comedic relief, a technique they believe to be essential in spoken word poetry.

Cusmano also discussed their creative process and offered valuable advice for aspiring poets, stressing that vulnerability on stage can be empowering, but raw, unprocessed emotions should be approached thoughtfully. They cautioned against reading directly from a personal journal, emphasizing that such intimacy may feel “too vulnerable and traumatic” in a performance setting.

Over the years, Cusmano has earned recognition for their work, including a Canada Council Grant to transform their spoken word pieces into page poems. This transition from stage to page reflects their dedication to bringing spoken word poetry to wider audiences and solidifying its place in literary form. They spoke of the responsibility that comes with translating their unique voice into written work and the careful crafting involved in making it resonate.

The evening concluded with a lively question-and-answer session, where Cusmano discussed their inspirations, creative process, and the cathartic power of poetry. They encouraged the audience to embrace authenticity, explaining that “poetry doesn’t need to be true if it’s true for you in some way.”

The Morris House Reading Series, now two decades strong, continues to enrich Bishop’s University by showcasing a diverse range of voices from across Canada. The series has previously featured celebrated authors like Alistair MacLeod, Heather O’Neill, and M. NourbeSe Philip, creating a platform for authors to share their work and connect with readers in an intimate, supportive setting. The presence of Liana Cusmano at this year’s anniversary event underscores the series’ commitment to amplifying voices that challenge, inspire, and resonate.

As Cusmano’s work continues to reach new audiences, their performance at Bishop’s stands as a testament to the enduring power of spoken word poetry to forge connections, bridge divides, and celebrate the rich tapestry of human experience.