PBTO & International Palace of Joy Present
The next Poetry Brothel Toronto Cabaret Theme is...
January 16th & 17th 2026
International Palace of Joy
Doors 7pm
Show 8pm
At The Poetry Brothel Toronto we are truly inspired by mythology from across the globe. Many folks are familiar with the mythical places and tales that hail from ancient Greece and Rome, or from Celtic or Norse mythology, but what about other places? Other beings? Other continents?
At the root of all myths are questions like,
"What does is mean to be human?"
"What is goodness and morality?"
How does the sun rise, the moon shift the tides, how did we come to be? Where do we go when we die? What beasts prowl beyond the edge of the spaces we know? Who rules the sea, the sky, the seasons, and want can we offer to appease them?
What is life for?
At the root of many legends are questions too, like...
What are we capable of when pushed to our limit? What makes a hero, and what makes a villain? What must we slay, or conquer, to step into the vastness of our power?
At the root of myths and legends is the network of everything we are and might be, plus the fun and play of humans gathering around the hearth to tell stories.
PBTO is so excited to have offered our first ever two-night show, hosted by Madame Titania and the International Palace of Joy. Folks came one night, or both - each night had a different lineup of poets and variety performers - and it was legen.... wait for it.... dary.
A Note from the Madame
Dearest Darlings,
As the Madame of Poetry Brothel Toronto - and as Queen of the Summer Court of the Fae - I could not be more excited to bring this theme to the stage as our 11th immersive literary cabaret.
What are Myths and Legends?
What makes them fantastical tales, and not forgotten histories?
Stories... This is what all of the above have in common. Since the beginning humans have sought to make sense of the world around them through story, through allegory. Who puts the sun in the sky? Who commands the rain? What is the source of that sound in the dark of the night, in the far reaches beyond what is touched by our warm and luminous firelight?
Gather around the hearth with us, and believe. Even for one or two nights... Believe that monsters, myth, faeries, and legendaries existed, and maybe still do.
We will make the unseen, seen, for you.
Welcome to Myths & Legends. Your adventure awaits.
xox
Madame Titania
Our Digital Programmes
While we are both big into reading and writing, and do love a tangible thing to hold, printing programmes uses a lot of paper. We are endeavouring to provide digital programmes for each of our cabarets throughout this year, and to offer a PBTO 2026 "Yearbook" at the end of the year.
Our digital programmes include the text from at least one of each poet's poems, to provide a more intimate look at and understanding of the work.
