Following a successful visit three years ago, acclaimed spoken word artist Buddy Wakefield returned to Shawnigan to perform for senior English students on Monday evening. Gabiro N-B, Michelle M., and Katherine P. warmed up the crowd of 380 students in the Hugh Wilkinson Theatre with original poems of their own, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience. Then Buddy Wakefield took the stage to perform “Hurling Crowbirds at Mockingbars,” “Gentleman Practice,” and “Guitar Repair Woman,” among others. Wakefield’s unique brand of poetry and monologue moved students to laughter, to reflection, and to appreciation of a master performance artist at work. “The show was filled with laughter and emotion,” Michelle E. said after the show. “An hour was definitely not long enough, but it was great to meet him.” The show was a warm-up for a world tour slated to begin later this spring.

– Jay Connolly