Australian Poetry Slam 2025 - Maribyrnong heat

Next date: Saturday, 23 August 2025 | 01:00 PM to 03:30 PM

Perform or cheer from the audience as Footscray Library hosts a heat of the 2025 Australian Poetry Slam - a place for all voices! 

How it works

• Perform: Bring an original poem and share it live – you’ll have up to two minutes on the mic.
• Progress: The audience will help choose two poets to represent Maribyrnong in the Victorian State Final.
• A chance to win big: State winners compete at the National Final at the Sydney Opera House, where the champion takes home $20,000 in prizes, plus publication and an Austral-Asia tour.
• Support: Listen, cheer and snap in a celebration of words and diverse voices. 

Hosted by Jo Yang. 

Performer sign-up: 1pm - 1.30pm sharp. Event starts at 1.30pm. 

Book now

Content warning: Most poetry slams are all ages, however, some content may not be suitable for children. Performances may include strong language and / or adult themes.

About your host: 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.

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.

When

Location

Footscray Library, 56 Paisley Street, Footscray, 3011, View Map