The search is on for Australia's next poetry slam champion and this year Hunter poets will have more opportunities than ever before to hone their craft in pursuit of the title.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Six free workshops giving poets an opportunity to work on their writing and performance skills will he held in Newcastle, Wallsend, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Scone and Singleton this month in the lead up to the Hunter Poetry Slam.
"Developing creative skills, networks and confidence is the foundation of the Hunter Poetry Slam program," program manager Christina Robberds said.
"Our region is full of amazing creatives and these workshops will help poets hone their skills and give them better chance to ultimately win the Australian Poetry Slam national final."
Following the workshops, six Hunter Poetry Slam heats will be staged around the region in September. The judges are chosen randomly from the crowd.
The top-scoring poets will move into the Hunter regional heat at Newcastle Town Hall on October 4 as part of This is Not Art festival (TiNA).
From the regional heat, two poets will be selected for the NSW final as part of the Australian Poetry Slam.
Free workshops will be held on July 17 at Newcastle City Library and July 19 at Wallsend Library 10am-12pm. Bookings for thee free workshops are essential.
To register, search Poetry Slam Workshop Series - Newcastle Libraries on eventbrite.com.au.
For information about other regional workshops contact each city's library.
Melanie Mununggurr-Williams in action at the 2018 Australian Poetry Slam national final:
Workshop participants are encouraged to take along a first draft of a poem to use as material to develop their writing and performance skills. They will have the opportunity to perform their poem to peers and receive constructive feedback.
Two poets from Newcastle have won the Australian Poetry Slam since it was established in 2005.
Melanie Mununggurr-Williams, Djapu woman from Yirrkala in East Arnhem Land, was crowned the first ever indigenous Australian Poetry Slam champion in 2018 after delivering an empowering performance about the struggles faced by Indigenous peoples in Australia.