Blue Mountains News

Blue Mountains Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill said: “Whether you are a wordsmith wanting to showcase your original, two-minute spoken-word masterpiece, or just want to witness the slam battle from the audience, you’re invited to the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre on Thursday 22 August.

“Join the crowd and support the poetic skill with stomps, snaps, and cheers. Audience participation is always a possibility as five judges will be handpicked from the crowd to have their say in this poetry showdown.”

The night will also feature DEFNE, a queer Turkish-Australian multidisciplinary artist, who will bring her own unique style to the evening. DEFNE is always up to some creative mischief, whether writing songs or shooting shows. She’s a self-reclaimed drama queen, and the world’s her runway as she overruns it with connection through shared vulnerability and revolutionary intimacy.

In addition to being a brilliant writer and renowned poet, she’s also making a mark in the poetry slam world as Creative Producer for Word Travels, and Creative Director of West Side Poetry Slam – a monthly hybrid event based in Parramatta.

The journey from local heats, via regional and state finals, ends at the grand National Final at the Sydney Opera House, where the Australian Poetry Slam Champion will be crowned. The highest-scoring Australian resident over 18 years old will bag a phenomenal $20,000 prize pack. 

Admission to this event is free, and bookings are not required. Save the date, bring your energy, and help make this an exceptional evening of local poetry and art.

For more information, visit library.bmcc.nsw.gov.au. Poet sign-ups from 6.30pm (20 only, first-in-best-dressed), performances start at 7pm.