Winter Warm-Up Slam – Heat 1

Thursday, 24 June 2021
Doors open 7:00pm for 7:30pm start

The Joinery
111 Franklin Street, Adelaide

$6 to compete or look on. Click here to book tickets at trybooking.

Get ready to sharpen your slam tools! The fallout from 2020 meant that 2021 started on a slow note for slam in SA. With the Australian Poetry Slam looming on the horizon, we wanted to give our poets a chance to get back on the stage! Practice competing with some new poems, brush up on the old ones, and have fun sharing your work with an audience.

To get those … ... Read more ...

Welcome to Sarah!

Spoken Word SA is proud to announce our new team member Sarah Jane Justice who will be taking over many key roles including that of MC for all of the slams. Sarah is a poet, performer and national finalist of the Australian Poetry Slam.

Kami will be taking less of a role this year but will still be seriously involved. Daniel Watson will be doing whatever it is that he does. And then there is ‘the man in the back room’ Ian Gibbins. The live events would also be impossible without our great team of volunteers and of course … ... Read more ...

Emelia Haskey: Poetry workshops and performance at Adelaide City Library

Emelia Haskey at the 2020 SA Poetry Slam State Final

What keeps us together when we are so far apart? How do we stay connected with our bodies, with nature, with loved ones and the world when we are required to keep a distance? 

Join us at the City Library for a series of engaging workshops with Poet in Residence Emelia Haskey. Emelia will allow you to engage and discover the beauty of poetry by exploring ideas of togetherness and connection with a range of fun activities, thoughtful prompts and mindful discussions. These workshops are free and accessible for … ... Read more ...

Spoken Word SA 2021 Poet in Residence Program at City Library – Round 2 Applications now open

A reminder that the Spoken Word SA Poet in Residence Program at the City Library Rundle Place is continuing in 2021. Whilst Emelia Haskey is our first 2021 resident poet there is still an opportunity to apply for the second residency in June/July.

The Poet in Residence will be given 16 hours over their allocated month to work from a studio space provided within the library, and will additionally create at least one opportunity to present or perform their work. Chosen participants will be paid for their involvement. All ideas and applications are welcome. Poetry might be written, spoken, … ... Read more ...

The Constellation Project: special call-out

The Constellation Project is a collaboration between Australian Red Cross, Centre for Social Impact, Mission Australia, and PwC Australia. It delivers practical solutions that are co-designed with first nations people & those who have lived experience of homelessness. The project brings together a cross-sector, national network to accelerate practical ideas to end homelessness.

“We know that vulnerable young people, such as those with a history of traumatic family experiences or involvement in the criminal justice system, are significantly more likely than their peers to experience homelessness… [We]  … aim that no young Australian aged 17-24 will … ... Read more ...

Emelia Haskey: 1st Adelaide City Libraries Poet in Residence for 2021.

Emelia Haskey at the 2020 SA Poetry Slam State Final

Spoken Word SA in partnership with Adelaide City Libraries are very pleased to announce our next Poet In Residence is Emelia Haskey who will be looking at the effects of COVID-19 on community and connection.

Emelia says, “As we slowly recover from the ravages of a global pandemic, it is important to acknowledge what keeps us connected when we are so far apart. I want to discover how we stay connected with our bodies, our loved ones, nature, and the world at large when we are required to stay distant. … ... Read more ...

Spoken Word SA 2021 Poet in Residence Program at City Library – Applications now open – Round 1 closes 17th February.

We’re pleased to announce the Spoken Word SA Poet in Residence Program at the City Library in Rundle Place, Adelaide, will continue in 2021. 

Our first month long residency will take place beginning late March/Early April followed by a second residency in June. The Poet in Residence will be given 16 hours over their allocated month to work from a studio space provided within the library, and will additionally create at least one opportunity to present or perform their work. Chosen participants will be paid for their involvement. 

All ideas and applications are welcome. Poetry might be written, spoken, and/or … ... Read more ...

No Summer Slam this year… :(

Dear poetry slam family,
unfortunately there will be no Summer Slam this year.

2020 was tough and the start of 2021 is no different. Everyone managed to contribute a great deal to getting the SA leg of the 2020 Australian Poetry Slam done and dusted. We are very proud of our volunteers and very grateful not only to everyone who competed but everyone who attended as audience members. We made it happen because we simply had to. But we are under-resourced, unfunded and, quite frankly, exhausted.

So please all explore your local poetry community and see what other events you … ... Read more ...