In a festival of raw and exciting energy, the nation’s best wordsmiths will take the stage for Australia’s largest performing writer’s program, the Word Travels’ Story Fest. Lovers of the spoken-word will descend upon multiple locations in The Rocks, Sydney Dance Lounge and Sydney Opera House for a three day jam-packed program of poetry slams, workshops, discussions and special events from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 October 2015.
An explosive war of words between the nation’s sharpest tongues will go down at the Australian Poetry Slam National Finals (Sunday 11 October) held at the Sydney Opera House. A ticket to the National Finals also gets you into to one of the Festival’s most anticipated events, Writing Through Fences (Sunday 11 October). This is a rare opportunity to hear eye-opening truths and powerful stories of survival and arrival from three refugee poets.
Also on offer are 20 of the freshest poets from around the state who will take the mic with original poetry, stories and lyrics at the Australian Poetry Slam NSW Finals (Friday 9 October), in a bid to compete in Sunday’s National Finals.
“We have curated a lineup of the best and brightest spoken-word artists,” said Miles Merrill, Creative Director and Founder of Story Fest. “These poets are gifted at taking audiences on unexpected adventures; exciting, shocking and moving audiences to tears, simply through using the spoken word. Some of this year’s poets have experienced an unimaginable darkness, which they have turned into light through poetry. The world is ready to hear their stories.”
Other highlights at Word Travels’ Story Fest include:
Super Slam Tour (Friday 9 October) – Budding slammers and professionals take the audience on a lunchtime tour winding through the hidden lanes of Sydney’s historic precinct The Rock
The Rumble: Youth Program (Friday 9 October) – High school students get out of the classroom and into a dynamic workshop taken by renowned super slam poets.
Room Full of Secrets (Saturday 10 October) – In an undisclosed room in The Rocks, Australia’s best performing writers reveal secrets of the trade and offer tales of confronting, chilling, uncomfortable and sometimes unwarranted adventures.
The Welcome Project (Saturday 10 October) – As part of the Barangaroo Welcome Celebration, audiences will be treated to a series of performances followed by a discussion with three refugee poets.
Opening the Beatbox (Saturday 10 October) – Hosted by musician Vanessa Caspersz, aspiring performing writers will learn the art of beat-boxing, lyricism and powerful vocalization, taking their craft to the next level.
Performing Writers’ Forum (Saturday 10 October) – Some of the nation’s best Slam performers will gather to trade ideas on the unique landscape of spoken-word and share the stories which inspired their craft.
The Word Travels’ Story Fest offers the opportunity to experience an eye-opening and inspiring Festival of truthful tales. For more information, visit: www.wordtravels.info and www.sydneyoperahouse.com for details.
Image: Zohab Zee Khan, winner of the 2014 Australian Poetry Slam National Final – photo by Chris Peken