www.traversepoetry.org

Unfortunately, Rosy Carrick‘s workshop (mentioned in my previous post) that was due to take place tomorrow has been cancelled. Rosy’s one of the thousands of people who’ve been grounded by ash from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano. Obviously her other Australian dates have been cancelled too. Quite a shame. Hopefully she’ll be able to schedule another trip soon.

Meanwhile, you may like to check out this review (plus photos!) on RiotAct of Traverse Poetry’s twisted sister: Bad Slam! No biscuit!

It’s National Poetry Month (and NaPoWriMo – National Poetry Writing Month) in the States right now so I thought I’d point you towards a good program recently presented on Radio National’s Poetica about legendary US performance poet Gil Scott-Heron, called The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.

I also need to tell you about a very special workshop for 15-25 year olds being run by British poet Rosy Carrick, who is out here on tour (unfortunately Rosy’s not in Canberra at the time of the next Traverse poetry slam: 30 April):

Writing selves youth workshop
Friday 23 April 4.30-6.30pm
ACT Writers Centre
Gorman House, Ainslie Avenue
Braddon ACT

The workshop costs $30 ($24 for students) and you can book through the ACT Writers Centre.

If (like me) you’re outside of this age bracket, fear not! Rosy will also be doing a free performance that evening from 7 to 8pm, in the Bogong Theatre (also at Gorman House).

And, finally, please give a big hand for the current top three on Traverse Poetry’s High Score Table!

1. Tasnim Hossain
2. John Reid
3. Ben

Remember: you’ve got to keep performing if you want to stay at the top!

This Sunday is the fantastic free hip-hop workshop with D’Opus and Roshambo. We still have a few spots available so quit thinking about it and book with ACT Writers Centre: admin@actwriters.org.au or phone (02) 6262 9191

The workshop is happening with the generous support of Music For Everyone, on Sunday 20 September at Ainslie Arts Centre (not Gorman House) on Elouera Street in Braddon, 2-5pm. No experience or materials required!

If that wasn’t enough, you can also look forward to an internationally themed poetry slam next week, on Friday 25 September at The Front. This one is going to feature special guest poet Randall Stephens who I met earlier this year in Melbourne. He’s an highly entertaining poet with a marvellous beard to boot.

Here are the details:

Poetry Slam: poetry from the far ends of the earth
25 September 7:30-11:30pm
The Front Gallery and Café
Wattle St, Lyneham

Next up in Traverse Poetry’s exciting list of (seemingly) random events is Hip-Hop Shop: a free workshop for young people!

Hip-Hop Shop with D’Opus and Roshambo
Free workshop for people under 30 – but you must book through the ACT Writers Centre:
email admin@actwriters.org.au or phone (02) 6262 9191
20 September 2:00-5:00pm
Ainslie Arts Centre
Elouera Street, Braddon

In case you don’t know, D’Opus and Roshambo are some of the best hip-hop performers in Canberra. They’ve played just about every festival here (Trackside, Corinbank, Stonefest) and are getting a huge response overseas – in no small thanks to Triple J’s huge airplay of the track ‘Million Dollar Bill’. Consequently I’m ridiculously excited I’ve managed to get them to run this free workshop. If you’re even slightly interested in poetry and music you should give the ACT Writers Centre a ring on (02) 6262 9191 and book today!

And, just before I go, the winners of the Green Slam:

1. Andrew Galan (of that Other slam)
2. Skip
3. Farida

In case you were wondering where that rather strange Twitter poem is loacted, point your web navigator to the The Longest Poem in the World.

Yes, these updates have been few and far between. I apologise. I’m moving to a nine-day fortnight this week so hopefully there’ll be some more time to devote to this blog soon.

Meanwhile, a few weeks ago we had another good slam, with a whole bunch of new faces. In fact, our second place winner had never performed before…

1. CJ (on why he’s too boring to be a poet!)
2. James Douglass
3. Anthony

A couple of days later Daniel Ferri, David Finnigan and I ran an enjoyable workshop at C Block. About half the people who signed up turned up but, in fact, we only just managed that number in the time we had, so all was well. Hopefully we’ll see some of these wonderfully talented people at forthcoming slams!

Now, a couple of links readers might find interesting:

• Poetica – Poets of Papua New Guinea: part one and two (I found the first part more interesting than the second, but both are good).
• Visible Tweets: ‘poetry’

Sorry again about the long delay between updates. We had a massive slam last month, featuring great sets from guest poets Rhys Rodgers and Tobias Manderson-Galvin – in fact I think it might have been the largest turnout since we started running slams at The Front. On that note, this month’s slam will celebrate our third birthday!

Traverse Birthday Poetry Slam
Featuring Little Sister
26 June 2009 7:30-11:30pm
The Front Café and Gallery
Wattle St, Lyneham

Look out for some more info about this special slam shortly.

Meanwhile, I’ve been very busy organising a free workshop for people under 30, that will explore the techniques and skills that professional performance poets use and how you can use them to improve your own practice. The tutor is Daniel Ferri (yes the very same Daniel Ferri that appears in the film SlamNation!). I worked with Daniel on a similar workshop last year which was extremely well received by all participants.

Performance poetry workshop with Daniel Ferri and David Finnigan
Free for people under 30 – only limited places: book now!
Contact ACT Writers Centre to book: (02) 6262 9191
2 August 2009 10.00am-3.00pm
C Block Theatre @ Gorman House Arts Centre
Ainslie Avenue, Braddon

This workshop will be suitable for all levels of experience so hurry up and book – it’s already half full and it’s less than three weeks away!

Oh, one other thing, Tom posted a review of what looks like an excellent exhibition of paintings by Joabie Lovett over at the Belconnen Community Centre: Symbols of the Dreaming from the Chaos Void. It finishes this Friday so get there quick!