www.traversepoetry.org

Got a hankerin’ for live poetry? Get stuffed at Traverse’s special ‘hunger’ themed poetry slam!

Perform your best poem about ‘hunger’ for the chance to win awesome prizes and a spot on the coveted poetry slam HIGH SCORE TABLE!

Plus… special guest poet David Finnigan performs Sun Drugs!

Traverse Poetry Slam
Friday 30 April 7:30-10:30pm
The Front Gallery and Cafe Wattle Street, Lyneham
$3 (free entry for performers!)
Book a slot in the slam from 7.30pm

Why ‘hunger’ you ask? It’s all about trying to get Canberra’s young writers into print – hunger is also the theme of the next issue of Voiceworks, the fantastic young writers’ magazine published by Express Media. By giving you the same topic to write about I’m hoping that some of our young writers will go on to submit their work to Voiceworks (submissions close 27 June 2010, only for under 25 – sorry!).

What about those of us over 25 you ask? Well, we still get to write stuff about hunger for the poetry slam, which is a rather interesting theme and should make for a rather interesting night!

While we’re on the subject of Express Media, the Melbourne organisation has helped fund what looks to be an excellent new publication from Blemish Books, the organisation started by Greg (who was one of the group involved in the Write in Your Face poetry project in 2008). The book is called Caught in the Breeze and it’s 10 essays on the role of flags in contemporary Australia.

Here’s the launch info:

Caught in the Breeze launch
Thursday 29 April 6:00pm
Smiths Alternative Bookshop
76 Alinga Street, Civic

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!