Here you will find a hopelessly out of date snapshot of events and radio shows, television, items of interest to poetry and in particular poetry slams in Australia. We hope to get back to this sometime soon. In the meantime, sorry.
But most importantly, you should know that there is an Australian National Poetry Slam happening - head here: http://australianpoetryslam07.org/: to find out more.
Last update: 20th July 2006
National
Airwaves
- The Deep End National Radio Slam
: ABC Radio National : Adelaide 729AM | Brisbane 792AM | Canberra 846AM Darwin 657AM | Gold Coast 90.1FM | Hobart 585AM Melbourne 621AM | Newcastle 1512AM | Perth 810AM | Sydney 576AM | & via satellite to over 220 regional centres : Mon-Fri 2.20pm :
The first-ever national radio slam was held on RN last year. On November 24 one writer from each state and territory performed a two-minute poem live on the Deep End. Listeners lodged online votes for their favourite performance. The winner in '04 was Mitchell Joe from the ACT. There are no plans currently to bring it back. Click here. And call them and tell them you want it back on air!
- Red Room Radio Show
Profiles contemporary Australian poetry with interviews and readings that are broadcast on various community radio stations nationally. Find your frequency: www.redroomorganisation.org
ACT
Coming Event!
- ANU Writers, producers of the literary journal 'block', are running a Poetry Slam!
The slam will be taking place on Friday 28 July at The Front Café and Gallery (Wattle Street, Lyneham shops, ACT). It's going to be run like a blackboard gig so make sure you're there from 8 o'clock to reserve a slot. There will be 30 minutes open mic as a warm up.
Slam pieces must be three minutes or less. There is no limit on theme but they must be original and may not involve props, costumes or musical instruments. There will be several cash prizes as well as a membership to the ACT Writers Centre up for grabs.
Tom Woodward (ex-Henchmen) and Rafe Morris (Dahahoo) will be performing delightful folky music on the night.
$2 cover charge.
For more information about ANU Writers, the slam (or slamming in general) please contact julian.fleetwood@gmail.com or anuwriters@gmail.com
QLD
Regular Events
- Brisbane : Speed Poets: 1st Sunday of the month : Royal George Hotel, Cnr Brunswick and Ann Sts Fortitude Valley :
Spoken word mayhem from Brisbane poets' collective. Gold Coin donation gets you a free zine and a chance to win the monthly raffle of a book of poetry.
- Noosa : ouTsideRS : Monthly : Alfresco, Noosa, Sunshine Coast, QLD : Each event has a theme and involves a feature poet, an emerging poet, a set from a local emrging band, a slam competition, a free mag, prizes, sounds and beats from DJ Nefarius. Hosted by the Ghostboy. All styles from hip-hop - haiku - hardcore slam - hell raising madness welcome! :
Enquire: www.outsiders.ws
NSW
Coming Event!
- Nimbin Performance Poetry World Cup : August 5 - 6, 2006 : Entries close 1st August.
Annual individual performance poetry competition.
Winner scores $1,200. All 8 finalists receive $200 each, then there's the Summerland Credit Union People's Choice Award for $400, and plenty of incentive awards of $50 & $25 during the heats.
HEATS: Saturday August 5th : Heats to be held in Cafe's within the Nimbin village.
SEMI FINALS: Sunday August 6th : Semi-finals to be held in Nimbin Cafes from 11am
GRAND FINAL: Sunday Evening August 6th : ~ from 7:30pm @ Nimbin Town Hall. Verandah Cafe open 6:30pm
After Party : Entry $15 /$10
SAT NIGHT ALSO SEES A FEATURE READING BY LAST YEAR'S TITLE HOLDER - DAVID "GHOSTBOY" STAVANGER (from The OuTsideRS) - & THOM THE WORLD POET
To enter, please send application form and a cheque or money order for $15 (form is on the the website) made payable to NPPWC,
P.O. Bolx 227, Nimbin NSW 2480.
For further info or for an entry form please contact Gail on 66897424 or email: poetryworldcup@yahoo.com.au. For more: www.nimbinpoetry.com.
Regular Events
- Sydney : Poet's Union Readings : 4th Sunday of month : The Brett Whiteley Studio, 2 Raper Street, Surry Hills : 2pm :
Enquiries to Brooke Emery 0410 406 149. $7/$5 concession.
- Sydney : Token Word : 3rd Wednesday of the month : The Kirk, 422 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills :
Feature poets, music, open mic (and the occasional special event) :
Enquire: Tom Keily.
- Sydney : Bardflys : 1st Tuesday of the month : Hotel Hollywood, 2 Foster Street, Surry Hills : Sydney's longest running performance poetry gig. With MCs Tug Dumbly and Benito di Fonzo, music, poetry slam, limerick competition, wine, (especially wine), women, and song! How much? $ 5 (we must be crazy, that's an order) :
Enquire: www.Bardflys.com
VIC
Regular Events
- Melbourne : Sleepers Salon: Inspired by the French salons of old, these literary nights are organised by the good people at Sleepers Publishing.
Information: www.sleeperspublishing.com
- Melbourne : Babble : 1st Wednesday of the month : Bar Open, 317 Brunswick St, Fitzroy :
Acoustic music, multi-art performances, poetry and open mike. Entry $5
- Melbourne : Spinning Room : Every Tuesday 8pm : ET's hotel & restaurant, Cnr High & Clifton Sts, Prahran :
Open mic & feature. Door prizes, raffle. MC's Jon Garret & Simon Sez.
Enquire: 03 9527 4502. Free entry. Tuesday is $10 roast night...
Airwaves
- Aural Text
: TripleRFM Melbourne : 102.7fm : Wednesdays 12 - 2pm :
Words, text, local and global hybrid spoken word. Muppet gonzo journalism, rabid rants, recorded laments, interviews, how-to's and treasure hunts. alicia sometimes & Steve Grimwade.
- Red Lobster
: Channel 31 Melbourne : UHF31 on your TV : Thursdays 11pm (repeated Saturday 3am) :
Films of Melbourne poetry events.
TAS
Regular Events
- Launceston Poetry Night: 2nd Monday of the month: Cock and Bull British Pub, 50 Wellington Street, Launceston
Open mic - byo poetry.
For further information contact Marilyn on 63274918 or 0417 145 537.
- Hobart : Poetry & Prose at the Republic: 1st Sunday of the month: Republic Bar, Elizabeth Street, North Hobart.
Guest writer and poet features.
Enquire: Liz Winfield or phone (03) 6272 9324.
SA
Regular Events
- Adelaide : Lizard Lounge : Last Thursday of the month : 9-11 Hindley St:
Open mic from 7pm - 9pm.
- Adelaide : Friendly Street Poets : First Tuesday of each month, from 7:30 pm : SA Writers Centre :
Regular poetry event.
Contact Kerryn for info. Entry $4.
- Adelaide : Spoke N Slurred : Every second month or so : Jive Nightclub, 181 Hindley Street, Adelaide.
Michael can tell you more.
- Adelaide : The Tin Cafe has the odd poetry gig :
Contact Belinda at the SA Writers Centre for details.
WA
Regular Events
- Perth : The Openmouth Poetry Sessions : Last Thursday of every month : Velvet Lounge, Mt Lawley :
Openmouth wants to stuff as many poets and word artists into a 4 hour timeslot as possible. To break up the dribble, there will also be fresh, local original bands delivering an special acoustic set each and every month.
Wanna SLAM? Compete in a one hour slam-style event each month, where a panel of randomly chosen audience members get to judge who comes back next month as a featured poet. Present your best work on stage in a 3 minute time limit, as a team or as an individual. As well as the er, vainglorious feeling of victory? - the winner will also recieve... prizes.
Openmouth will also be producing a regular zine and encourage zinemakers to random swap/trade zine-arts products.
Wanna READ/PERFORM? - Get in touch now - or rock up and put yr name down to read you work : Enquire: allan boyd, 0402 573 580 or email: allanx@indymedia.org
- Fremantle : Voicebox : 1st Thursday of the month : La Tropicana Cafe :
Poetry readings :
Contact Desma - 08 9336 2854.
- Perth : Walking On Water : 1st Monday of the month : Brisbane Hotel, Beaufort St, Perth :
Poetry readings :
Email: jcornes@iinet.net.au.
NT
Regular Events
- Darwin : Off The Page : Every 2nd month : The Groove Cafe, Progress Drive, Nightcliff. 7pm.
An evening of Spoken Word performances presented by the NT Writers' Centre. It includes the wildly unpredictable Open Mic sessions - 5 minutes for audience members to take the stage and share their own words in any style or genre. $8/$5 :
Enquire:info@ntwriters.com.au.
