2026 Australian Poetry Slam SA Heat 2 special guest – Courtney Jaye

We are incredibly excited to introduce our guest performer for SA Heat 2 of the 2026 Australian Poetry Slam: Courtney Jaye.

Courtney Jaye is a Ngarrindjeri woman with Malaysian heritage who grew up all around Australia. She is currently living and working on Kaurna country, with her writing and reviews found in Kill Your Darlings, InReview, Sinister Wisdom, Splinter and Southerly. She writes in the hope that other generations can see themselves in literature.

Courtney performed at No Wave in July where she delivered a wonderful set of joyous poetry. She will be a perfect … ... Read more ...

SA Poetry Slam 2026 – Heat 1 blasts off!

  • Heat 1 winners
  • Heat 1 winner – Sarah Rowe
  • Heat 1 runner-up – Sahil Choujar
  • Tiahna Ludborzs
  • John Willison
  • Miles Falahey
  • Suzi Hall
  • John Thompson
  • Megan Ellis
  • Avalanche
  • Solar
  • Ben Adams
  • Bryan McQueen-Mason
  • Nikki Lovell
  • Jas
  • Tabitha
  • Salah Dannaoui
  • Brooklyn Saliba
  • Dmitri Akers
  • Stephanie Mylan
  • Aaron Woodford
  • Guest – Mei Szetu
  • Sacrifice – Matthew Pankhurst
  • MC – Tracy McNally
  • Volunteers – Jazz & Pam
  • Out of the hat
  • The Hat Hat
  • Clarissa – interpretative dance
  • Heat 1 audience

Heat 1 of the 2026 SA Poetry Slam went off with a blast at the State Library of South Australia: a packed … ... Read more ...

2026 Australian Poetry Slam – SA Heat 2

Saturday 1 August 2026
Doors open for sign-in: 6:30pm

Parks Library
46-48 Trafford Street, Angle Park, SA 5010

$15 to compete or listen
Click here to book.

Who will become our next Australian Poetry Slam Champion as audiences vote in events around the country? The prize? They tour Australasia sharing their creative thoughts and inspiring people everywhere to speak their own poetry.

Two poets chosen by the audience at each of our five South Australian heats will head to the SA Final. At the final, our winner and runner-up will be off to the Nationals at the Sydney Opera House!… ... Read more ...

Get ready for your slam – interview with 2025 Australian Poetry Slam winner, Arantza Garcia

Arantza Garcia performs at the SA Final of the 2025 Australian Poetry Slam

With the South Australian heats of the 2026 Australian Poetry Slam starting up soon, you might be wondering what it takes to do well in a poetry slam. If so, have a listen to Arantza Garcia, winner of the 2025 Australian Poetry Slam.

Arantza Garcia is an emerging Peruvian writer and member of the Latin American Community on Kaurna Country. She has performed at events such as Jaurna/Feast festivals, and First Fridays at the Art Gallery of South Australia. Having been a finalist in the South Australian … ... Read more ...

Mei Szetu – Guest performer for 2026 SA Slam Heat 1

We are pleased to announce that Mei Szetu is our awesome, guest performer for SA Heat 1 of the 2026 Australian Poetry Slam on Saturday 25th July at the State Library of South Australia.

Mei Szetu is a queer, neurodivergent, Malaysian Chinese Australian poet born, raised and practising on Kaurna Country. They began performing spoken word poetry at open mics in 2022, and have since become a frequent feature performer, appearing on many a line up. They also organise Rewind Poetry. In 2024, they came first place in the South Australian leg of the Australian Poetry Slam, going on to … ... Read more ...

2026 Australian Poetry Slam – SA Heat 1

Saturday 25 July 2026
Doors open for sign-in: 6:30pm

State Library of South Australia
Hetzel Lecture Theatre
cnr North Tce and Kintore Ave, Adelaide , SA, 5000

$15 to compete or listen
Click here to book.

Who will become our next Australian Poetry Slam Champion as audiences vote in events around the country? The prize? They tour Austral-Asia sharing their creative thoughts and inspiring people everywhere to speak their own poetry.

Two poets chosen by the audience at each of our five South Australian heats will head to the SA Final. At the final, our winner and runner-up will be … ... Read more ...

2026 Australian Poetry Slam – SA Dates for heats and final

The SA dates for the Australian Poetry Slam are in!
We can’t wait to hear what SA’s slammers throw down this year!

We’ll be sharing all the details as we go along, including all the event links and booking info, but for now… put these dates in your calendar and start writing!

If you’d like to work up your material before the heats, click here to check out the forthcoming workshops offered by Spoken Word SA.

Heat 1
Saturday 25th July, 6:30pm
State Library of South Australia

Heat 2
Saturday 1st August, 6:30pm
Parks Library

Heat 3
Saturday 15th August, … ... Read more ...

Find Your Voice: Poetry Slam Prep Workshop – Firstival 2026

Port Adelaide Public Library
2-4 Church St
Port Adelaide SA 5015

Saturday 11 July 2026
10.30am to 12.30pm

Join Spoken Word SA for a hands-on workshop to help you edit, refine, and perform your poetry with confidence.

Spoken Word SA hosts the South Australian heats and State Final of the Australian Poetry Slam, where poets have just two minutes to perform an original piece — no props, costumes, or music, just you and your words. Audience members serve as judges, and winners progress to the State Final, with top finalists heading to the national stage in Sydney.

This workshop … ... Read more ...