We write revolutions!
Over 1000 writers release wild words on audiences across Australia. Poets break free from their notebook cages landing on a stage near you.
Australian Poetry Slam 2024 (APS ’24) invites you to cheer, snap, hold-up scorecards in this nation-wide celebration of spoken-wordsmiths.
APS ’24 is about unleashing your thoughts; launching mini-revolutions, like a chorus of kingfishers on a mission.
Writers let fly. Alight upon the mic for two minutes. Shout, call out, even softly warble your fresh lit.
Crowds will flock with cheers and hoots. Judges, chosen from the audience, will send two poetic messengers to represent Albury in the NSW State Final and two to represent Wodonga in Victoria State Final!
Poetry Slams and wordshops drop from July to October, converging on the National Final at Sydney Opera House on October 13. Are you the next APS Champion? Win a prize worth $20,000, including publication and gigs from Byron to Bali and beyond.
Full APS ‘24 rules here: www.australianpoetryslam.com/rules
Doors open/poet sign-up at: 6.30pm
Slam starts at: 7pm
Don’t want to wing it? Drop into the Slam Workshop.
Featuring Rob Waters and K.J. Hayward
Rob Waters is the 2023 Australian Poetry Slam Champion. He’s a Gomeroi poet, storyteller, cultural educator and spoken word artist performing and sharing Story for over 20 years. Rob has deep cultural connections to the North West of New South Wales. He is a proud father and grandfather living on Darkinjung Country.
K.J. Hayward is an emerging spoken word artist and 2023 Australian Poetry Slam Co-Champion. In her poetry, she intertwines stories of feminism, youth, mental health and her own journey transitioning from "normal" schooling to home-school with the rap, rhythm and rhyme of slam poetry.
Supported by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, Create NSW, Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, Byron Writers Festival, Singapore Writers Festival and Mumbai LitFest.