NSW & Sydney Poetry Events - May 2017
A regular feature from Norm Neill, to encourage the sense of community among poets and the poetry-appreciation community. We would love to have a comprehensive bulletin for Australia-wide, so if you have any feedback, readings, performances, launches, etc. please send an email to kristy@redroomcompany.org.
Monday 1 May, 9.30 am–11.30 am and the following 4 Mondays – Diana Levy will present the first of five meetings titled Japanese poetry: Haiku Ginko – Writing Zen. A haiku captures a moment in nature. A ginko is a walk in nature, when your writing hand keeps moving like your legs. WEA House, 72 Bathurst Street, Sydney. Enrolments at www.weasydney.com.au or on (02) 9264 2781 ($3 booking fee applies to phone transactions). Fee $158/142 (concession).
Tuesday 2 May – A reminder that the monthly North Shore Poetry Project poetry reading at the Gallery is on at The Laurel St Gallery. Please come , bring some poems, something to munch on and $5 for the rent. Details at www.northshorepoetryproject.com
Thursday 4 May, 7.00pm - 23:00 - Lou Steer presents Caravan Slam. Featuring ALICE TAME. Alice is a poet, singer, and musician, well known from Caravan Slam, Australian Poetry Slam Sydney, Bankstown Poetry Slam Gram Slam, as well as Sydney Story Fest and Sydney Writers' Festival. Book performance spots (3 min original work) here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1287518607963060/ Django Bar, Camelot Lounge, Cnr Marrickville Rd & Railway Pde, Marrickville. Entry $5. Performers free.
Saturday 6 May, 3.00–5..00 pm – The launch of Omar J. Sakr’s Wild Houses and Caitlin Maling’s Border Crossing, with readings and a conversation mediated by Judith Beveridge. Forest Lodge Hotel, 117 Arundel Street, Glebe. Free entry.
Sunday 7 May, 2.00 pm – Poetry Sydney will present multi-award winning poet and current poetry editor of Meanjin Judith Beveridge and widely published poet and co-winner of the 2013 Jean Cecily Drake-Brockman Prize Todd Turner at the Brett Whiteley Studio, 2 Raper Street, Surry Hills. Free entry, thanks to sponsorship of J.P. Morgan.
Sunday, 7 May, 2.00-3:30 pm – Poets will read from the Dangerously Poetic Press anthology, Always the River, Poetry about Change from Byron Bay and Beyond.
Tweed River Art Gallery, 2 Mistral Road, Murwillumbah, Free entry.
Tuesday 9 May, 7.00–9:30 pm – On the second Tuesday of May, the poetry night at Sappho will feature poets Greg McLaren, Meredith Wattison, Ariel Riveros Pavez, and K.A. Rees, plus the usual open section. Sappho Books Cafe & Wine Bar, 51 Glebe Point Rd Glebe. Drinks and tapas at the bar and Free entry.
Friday 12 May, 6.00 arrival for 6.30pm start - Dr Catherine Keenan will be launching Rico Craig's poetry collection BONE INK (Guillotine Press) at Gleebooks. 49 Glebe Point Road, Glebe. Bookings essential: 02 9660 2333 or through here: http://www.gleebooks.com.au/BookingRetrieve.aspx?ID=282442. Free entry.
Saturday 13 May, 5.00 pm – PoetryAlive@Stanley Street will present Alison Whittaker, Gomeroi poet and author of the award-winning collection Lemons in the Chicken Wire, and Joel Deane whose new collection of poetry Year of the Wasp was shortlisted for the Qld Premier’s Award. Harry Laing will MC and do a spot of comedy/ satire. Stanley Street Gallery, 1/52-54 Stanley Street Darlinghurst $15 entry (conc. available) includes refreshments.
Sunday 14 May, 3.00–5.00 pm – Eastern Suburbs Poetry Group will hold its regular monthly meeting. People are encouraged to read their own poems, with each poem being followed by a discussion in a supportive environment. All styles and forms supported. First floor, Waverley Library, 32 Denison Street, Bondi Junction. Enquiries ycalder@hotmail.com or neumannc@ozemail.com.au.
Thursday 18 May, from 6.30 pm – Poets at the Petersham Bowlo, hosted by Mark Marusic and Barry Sargent. Open mic format (mainly poems, but also short stories, anecdotes, jokes, acoustic music). Bar and bistro open. 77 Brighton St Petersham. Info: Mark 0410 054 756.
Friday 23 June, 6.00 pm–8.30 pm – Douglas Golding will present “An Evening in The Waste Land with T.S. Eliot”. The group will examine some of the key sections of the poem, and explore t wo of its major themes: the loss of religious faith, and distorted sexuality. WEA House, 72 Bathurst Street, Sydney. Enrolments at www.weasydney.com.au or on (02) 9264 2781 ($3 booking fee applies to phone transactions). Fee $48