On Saturday September 30th, ten of South Australia’s finest performance poets will take it up a notch. The heats were hot, and the final will be fire! The audience at Goodwood Theatre will be treated to another round of fast-paced poetic prowess, with new poems from all of our finalists. At the end of the night, we will have our two 2023 National Finalists, locked in to compete at the Sydney Opera House. Who will it be?? One thing’s for certain… it’ll be a show you don’t want to miss. Get ready, invite your friends, book your tickets, and start the countdown!
Saturday, 30th September, 2023
Doors from 7:30pm
Goodwood Theatre & Studios
166 Goodwood Road, Goodwood, SA 5034
Meet 2023 finalists: Alex Vansilalam, Matthew Pankhurst, Tim O’loughlin, Chris Battistuzzi, Arantza Garcia, Drew Cuffley, Katherine Sordini, Melinda Gaughwin, Carissa Fischer, Cayley Ferguson.
Special Guest Performers: Chris Jaksa and Rainey
We have a very special feature act for you at this year’s SA STATE FINAL – 2023 Australian Poetry Slam! You may have seen the talented 2020 national finalist Chris Jaksa perform his smooth words before, and you may have experienced the joy of Rainey‘s musical and lyrical talent… But when their powers combine…. what a soul satisfying treat it is!!!
Rainey (she/they) is a singer-songwriter living on Kaurna land. She writes and performs emo indie folk-rock music, influenced by their experiences with chronic disease and heartache.
Chris Jaksa (he/him) is a spoken-word poet, working and playing on Peramangk country. With an affinity for natural imagery and a fascination with the human condition, he considers his poetry a form of storytelling — free-verse, introspective, and emotionally driven.
Having met three years ago to team up for a performance, the two quickly realised how compatible their styles are. Together, they weave together poetry and music to tell their stories side by side.