What’s a poetry slam, you ask? Well, we googled it, and it’s a competition where poets perform without props, costumes or music. Poems can be on any topic and in any style, but must be original work and no longer than two minutes (Australian Rules). After performing, the poet will receive scores (1-10) from five randomly selected judges.
Now, what’s a FAKE poetry slam, you ask? Well, we realise that the idea of being scored on your very personal and subjectively excellent poems can be intimidating. That’s why, at The Fake Poetry Slam, there will be no scoring. Only cheering! And celebrating!
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Now, WHY a fake poetry slam you ask? Well, August marks the beginning of the WA Heats - Australian Poetry Slam. There will be four heats followed by a final, the winner and runner-up of which will travel to Sydney to compete at that Opera House they have against poets from all over the country. The winner of this not gets crowned the top slam poet in Australia, they will be sent on a Writer’s tour of Asia (a trip worth up to $11,000).
But that all seems very…big. For now, lets start small. Just write a two minute poem about something that matters, bring it along to Paper Mountain on the 3rd August and see how it feels to slam in a safe space.
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Slam poetry has a reputation for being intense, emotional and sincere, and for championing social justice and confronting important issues within society. So bring us your anger. Bring us your frustration and your sadness. Bring us your witty observations and your funny stories. Bring us your heart aches and breaks and quakes and your long nights and your good days and your family and your fights and your victories and your absolutely anything so long as it matters; so long as it’s yours.
As the Australian Poetry Slam says, “Speak, scream, howl, whisper, even sing your poems”. You have two minutes: make them count.
Join us WEDS 3rd August and throw down. A bumper 20 OPEN MIC SPOTS will be available, 2 MINUTES EACH. Ten will be available on our Facebook an hour before the event and ten at the event itself. Spots fill up fast, so make sure to be on time if you want to secure one.
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Speaking of throwing down, this fortnight, we bring you two experienced slam poets to excite, inspire and raise your ire. ELISE KELLY will be in attendance to speak, scream and howl, emote and explode for your entertainment and pleasure. THE ANTIPOET, Perth poetry pillar, National and local slam organiser, MC and father of local Laundry Man will also be in attendance to whisper, sing and generally win his way into your head.
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Speaking of which, MC, THE LAUNDRY MAN will be on hand to introduce slammers, dangerous new ideas and an entirely original flavour of jam to the adorable Paper Mountain common room.
Don’t forget to keep an eye on our Instagram,@spokenwordperth
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At Papermountain - Upstairs, 267 William St, Northbridge
Performance starts 19:30
$5 entry.