September 12, 2025: Anne Szumigalski Lecture, delivered by Matthew-Ray “Testament” Jones
Friday, September 12, 2025
Join the League of Canadian Poets in welcoming Ontario Poet Laureate Matthew-Ray "Testament" Jones to Kitchener, Ontario for the annual Anne Szumigalski Lecture. This event will be held in person at Whoopsie Daisy Drinks, as well as recorded for viewing following the event. This is a free event.
"More than Words: Poetry for Transformation"
Join Ontario Poet Laureate Matthew-Ray ‘Testament’ Jones for a lecture and poetry reading that explores how poets can wield language as a force of transformation, shaping not just words on the page but identities, beliefs, and systems. To write powerfully is to claim your voice and through it, your personal truth.
Testament will focus on how building a sustainable, soul-aligned writing practice can honour your growth as both an artist and a human. He’ll discuss how to cultivate creative discipline as a spiritual practice, how to work through resistance, and how to keep your fire burning without burnout.
This in-person event will be recorded and available for viewing following the event. Doors open at 7pm at Whoopsie Daisy Drinks, with the event beginning promptly at 7:30pm. Matthew-Ray’s performance and lecture will last one hour, with a 15-minute Q&A to wrap up the event.
Registration is not required, and the event is free to attend. Whoopsie Daisy is a fully accessible venue with accessible washrooms. Masks are encouraged for this event, to create a safe space for all who wish to attend.
7:00pm doors, 7:30pm start
Matthew-Ray "Testament" Jones
Matthew-Ray Jones, also known as Testament, is a connoisseur of anything and everything involving words. From poetry, spoken word and emceeing to facilitating, hosting and keynoting, Matthew-Ray has been using his natural speaking abilities to inspire audiences for over 20 years. His mother is his hero. She endured many hardships throughout her life and made sacrifices so that Matthew-Ray could pursue his dreams. She provided him with a diary at age 6 that inspired the artist to start his writing journey through self-expression.
Matthew-Ray has performed and taught nationally from coast to coast in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Nunavut, and British Columbia. He has performed internationally in Venezuela and Italy and has travelled to six continents.
To date, he has recorded three albums and shared the stage with Talib Kweli, Naughty by Nature, Biz Markie, GZA, Kardinal Offishall, Saukrates, DāM-FunK and more. He co-founded an artist collective called P.E.A.C.E. (“People Everywhere Actually Co-existing Equally”) helping people realize they are 'a piece of P.E.A.C.E.' through poetry, HipHop, music, workshops, presentations and trainings.
Matthew-Ray has appeared on Breakfast Television, CP24, MuchMusic, MTV and Rogers TV. He has been written about in Exclaim and Eye Weekly magazines plus numerous national and local newspapers and has made various appearances on radio stations.
A father, artist, entrepreneur and revolutionary, Matthew-Ray uses his passion for words, art and life to motivate, inspire and lead. He trusts in the values of peace, love and unity as his guiding principles as he continues to spread his message worldwide.