Poet in Residence – Unexpected Poetry Application

Presented by Poet in Residence – Carissa Fischer (they/them) 

City Library
Level 3 Rundle Place, 77-91 Rundle Mall, Adelaide SA 5000

This is a free event but you need to book your place:

Book your place

Are you tired of what poetry “should” look like? Bored of reading works from another T.S Elliot wannabe? Does the slam scene from 21 Jump Street hit a little too close to home? Look, poetry is a subject that we all study and then forget in school, but that’s because we’re only taught one version. Poetry goes beyond this limited viewpoint. Poetry is found in simplicity, kindness, and pleasure. Poetry is beyond chapbooks and slams.

Unexpected Poetry Application, a four-part workshop series, explores the versatility of poetry in its multiple forms, spoken, visual, and written, capturing its inherent flexibility and diversity. If you’ve ever wanted to show off your poetry, here is your opportunity since each course will create pieces for you to perform and have the option to have aired in cooperation with The AdLib Hour! The final event will be recorded live from the City Library. This offer is only available to poets who attended the previous seminars. 

Poetry 101
Friday 29 September, 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm
This session is an introduction to the principles of poetry, specifically modern spoken word poetry. The principles discussed and explored are what’re relevant to you, focusing on ideas and expressions that matter to you. To break away from poetic conventions, we first must understand them. 

Writers Block Meets Experiment
Friday 6 October, 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Writer’s block is rooted in perfectionism, which this workshop unpacks. Editing, in my experience, helps to overcome writer’s block. Rather than just unpacking the basics of editing this workshop provides a different perspective with combining editing principles with experimental poetry. Let’s look at our work from a different point of view! 

Communication and Performance
Friday 13 October, 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm
This session combines the skills developed in previous sessions and integrates them with a foundation for public speaking. Public speaking is scary, but there is no set formula in how you present. This workshop is designed to help you find your style and comfort behind the mic.

Final Preparation for Poets
Friday 20 October, 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Time to polish your work and get ready for the Showcase performance! This workshop will be a warm-up for poets who wish to perform in the final Showcase event. This involves looking through the setlist to ensure you’re ready to perform! With a performance focus to further develop your performance skills in a supportive environment. 

Final Showcase
Friday 27 October, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Indulge in the glimmers and sparks of Adelaide’s emerging poets’ as they share on the City Library’s stage. Come spend an evening immersed in new poems created from the residency. The event will be documented as part of The Adelaide City Libraries podcast, The AdLib Hour, in partnership with Radio Adelaide. 

The venue, the workshops and final presentation will be held in are accessible for mobility-aid users. The workshops will be held in a separate room without music/excess noise and with basic lighting.