Caravan Slam: poetry night returns for 2017

If you have ever been out in the city and discovered a great bar featuring an open mic night, chances are you probably witnessed a poetry slam. In Sydney there are many places where you can jump on a mic and perform your own poetry or see other live poets in front of a modest to medium sized audience.

The Camelot Lounge at Django Bar has been hosting monthly poetry events known as the Caravan Slam in the heart of Marrickville’s industrial zone for quite some time, and for many Sydney-siders it’s a chance to see some of our finest local wordsmiths. It is also an open friendly space to try out one of your own poems. Whether you’re an experienced spoken word artist or just a beginner; the slam is open to everyone.

As an art form that is about expression and performance, poetry slams have a wide range of participants from actors, playwrights and scholars to hip-hop emcees and political activists – just to name a few.

At Caravan Slam there is a selected panel of judges chosen from the audience who give each of the performer’s poems a score out of 10. The top three poets will then go head to head to a final, from which a winner is decided. Each poet has three minutes to perform their piece and, as its customary, the audience will click their fingers if they like or agree with something the poet said.

The topics are endless, from personal confessions to political injustices. Whether they are humorous, angry or down right bizarre this is an event that will leave you inspired, so don’t miss out! (DJ)

Feb 2 (doors 7pm, poets 7.45pm) + continuing the first Thursday of every month. The Camelot Lounge/Django Bar, cnr of 103 Railway Parade + 19 Marickville Rd, Marickville. $5 entry, performers free. Info + registration: www.facebook.com/caravan.slam

BY DANIEL JARAMILLO