Poets run this!
The Australian Poetry Slam (APS) is giving the bullhorn back to the bards. The word nerds. The oral storytellers. The quiet thoughtful ones. The romantics. A poetry slam is a place for all voices. Join the nation-wide search for the people’s poet. It’s APS 2025 – The Election Special.
Local poets get two minutes to wow with their ideas in a form of spell casting called Slamming Poetry. They electrify your imagination. Then the audience sends two of these writers to represent Albury-Wodonga in the State Final with nothing but the mic, words and deep exhales of honesty. Who will make it to the National Final at the Sydney Opera House? You decide!
Elect a Poet – A National Slambassador for 2025 who will win a prize worth $20,000, including publication and a tour of Australasia, sharing their creative thoughts and inspiring people everywhere to speak their own poetry.
Poets get your guts ready. Here, wrap your fingers around this mic.
Poets of all experience levels are invited to enter and must perform in their residing state or territory and nearest heat. Read the full APS 2025 rules and learn more about the event.
Doors open/poet sign-up at 6.30pm
Slam starts at 7pm
Want to get inspired with a spoken word workshop led by a professional slam poet before this event? Check out the Slam Workshop here.
Content Warning: Most Poetry Slams include all ages, and some content may not be suitable for children. Performances may include strong language and/or adult themes.
Hosted by John Englezos
John Englezos is a spoken word poet, Tedx speaker coach and Melbourne’s 2015 Poetry Slam Champion. John was one the first Australian team represented at the National Poetry Slam in Denver, Colorado in 2017.
Running reflective and creative workshops in schools, local councils, and mental health support groups, John advocates for creativity to nurture one’s own wellbeing, and to foster deeper community connection. His work has been described as “Pixar in poetry” with his creative work and his book If The World Were Upside Down centering around notions of hope, identity and wonder.
John is also an uncle to six amazing kids, and an honorary brother to many.
Supported by:
The Australian Government through Creative Australia, and the NSW Government through Create NSW. Also supported by Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, Mumbai LitFest, Singapore Writers Festival and Byron Writers Festival.
This Australian Poetry Slam event is presented by Word Travels, Hyphen Wodonga and Write Around the Murray.