Next date: Saturday, 23 August 2025 | 01:00 PM to 03:30 PM
The Australian Poetry Slam (APS) is giving the bullhorn back to the bards. The word nerds. The oral storytellers. The quiet thoughtful ones. The romantics. A poetry slam is a place for all voices. Join the nation-wide search for the people’s poet. It’s APS 2025 – The Election Special. Local poets get two minutes to wow with their ideas in a form of spell casting called Slamming Poetry. They electrify your imagination. Then the audience sends two of these writers to represent Maribyrnong in the Victoria State Final with nothing but the mic, words and deep exhales of honesty. Who will make it to the National Final at the Sydney Opera House? You decide! Elect a Poet – A National Slambassador for 2025 who will win a prize worth $20,000, including publication and a tour of Austral-Asia, sharing their creative thoughts and inspiring people everywhere to speak their own poetry. Poets get your guts ready. Here, wrap your fingers around this mic. Poets of all experience levels are invited to enter and must perform in their residing state or territory and nearest heat. Full APS ‘25 rules here: www.australianpoetryslam.com/rules Hosted by Jo Yang Jo Yang is a Naarm based poet, high school teacher and host of an education podcast, rethinking the current education system. She was the 2022 Australian Poetry slam champion and placed as a finalist in the World poetry slam championship. Her poetry is influenced heavily by her proud Chinese identity, and role as an educator. With often difficult topics to digest, she sees poetry as an honest means to share stories through empathy and connection. A collection of Yang’s poetry, Mixtures, was published by Word Travels Press in 2023. Doors open/poet sign-up at 1pm; slam starts at 1.30pm.
Book now Content Warning: Most Poetry Slams are all ages and some content may not be suitable for children. Performances may include strong language and / or adult themes. Supported by: The Australian Government through Creative Australia, and the NSW Government through Create NSW. Also supported by Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, Mumbai LitFest, Singapore Writers Festival and Byron Writers Festival.
Footscray Library, 56 Paisley Street, Footscray, 3011, View Map
56 Paisley Street , Footscray 3011
Fields marked as 'Required' must be completed
Email Address*(Required)
Enter your email address or your friend's email addresses all separated by commas.
Free