It is time to get those rhymes flowing, lay down a beat and take your skills to the Poetry Slam heat.
Shepparton library is hosting the regional heat for Poetry Slam on Friday, September 8, and organisers are looking for the region’s best poets to step forward for their chance at becoming the next Australian Poetry Slam champion.
Poets will have two minutes on stage to present an original poem and judges, selected from the audience, will mark their performance.
The two poets with the top scores will go on to represent the region in the Victorian final.
The two participants will head to the Victorian final for a chance to make it through to the national final.
The national final will be held at the Sydney Opera House, with the winner receiving $20,000 and publishing opportunities.
If you’re looking for inspiration leading up to the night, the library will host a ‘Wordshop’ with Australian poet and experienced facilitator Andrew Cox.
Mr Cox is recognised as an emerging voice in Australian poetry, with much of his work shortlisted for national writing prizes, most notably for Innovation in Spoken Word, and published in multiple anthologies.
The Wordshop is on Thursday, September 7, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
The Poetry Slam will start at 6.30pm on September 8. Registrations open on the night 6pm and can only be done in person at the Shepparton library.
For more details and rules of the heat, go to the Australian Poetry Slam website.
Bookings are required for the Wordshop as places are limited.
To register, email Shepparton library at shepparton@gvlibraries.com.au or call 1300 374 765.