Blue Mountains News

Get ready for an electrifying night with the return of the annual Blue Mountains heat of the Word Travels National Poetry Slam, hosted by Katoomba Library.

Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill said: “This is the 19th year we’ve hosted a heat of the National Poetry Slam, and it has yet to disappoint local poets and audiences.

“Whether you’re a master bard or budding poet, all you need is an original poem and two minutes on the mic.

“If you’d rather be in the audience, you’ll still have the chance to be involved with snaps, cheers and stomps encouraged. Five audience members will also be picked to be judges for the night.”

The heat is being held at Blue Mountains Cultural Centre in Katoomba on Thursday 28 August. Poet sign-ups from 6.30pm (20 only, first-in-best-dressed), performances start at 7pm. No bookings needed.

The night will also feature the triumphant return of DEFNE, a queer Turkish-Australian poet and creative powerhouse who always brings her own unique style to the evening.

And don’t miss the feature act Alasdair Carter, award-winning performance poet and registered nurse who stitches pain and poetry together in ways you won’t forget.

The top two performers will move on to the Sydney Final and from there, it’s just one step away from performing in 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 receive the national title and a $20,000 prize tour across Australasia. 

Admission to this event is free, and bookings are not required. Save the date, bring your energy, and help raise the roof with exceptional local poetry and art.

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

Supported by: Creative Australia, Create NSW, and international literary festivals including Ubud, Mumbai, Singapore, and Byron Bay.