Reading together
There are many places in Victoria where you can read poetry in front of other people. Reading your own poems to others can be a lot of fun. Many people Divine spoke to said that reading also helps them. It can give you confidence. It can also help you share your feelings. One poet said it has even helped make his memory better.
Posted by: Davidh Digman, on 16/04/10
Listening to poetry at a local pub
Across Victoria almost every night, many budding poets bravely read their latest works. Small but fascinated audiences assemble at venues like bars, cafes and pubs to listen to the poetry.
18th century poet Novalis once wrote that Poetry heals the wounds inflicted by reason
. As well as a poet and philosopher, Novalis was a person with a disability. Like the great Novalis, many local poets find reading in public enriches their life.
DiVine spoke to several poets with a disability. People said that reading their poetry was not only lots of fun. Many also said it helped improve their lives. It can also provide a great opportunity for self-expression.
The newcomer - Eddie
Eddie has been writing poetry for many years and has also written eight plays. When DiVine visited The Spinning Room at ET’s Hotel in Prahran, it was only the third public reading Eddie had done.
Eddie says his disability makes it hard to get out of the house. But he loves reading his works in public. Eddie says reading his poetry in public helps his self-esteem. It’s better than drugs!
he jokes.
Eddie says he was nervous when he first got up on stage to read. But he encourages others to have a go. I’d say don’t worry about nerves. Come and do it! Sit at the back at first and see how it goes. When you’re all the way down, you don’t realise that others are feeling nervous too.
The veteran - Paul
Paul is well known in the Melbourne poetry-reading scene as “Paul the Poet” or “PTP”. Paul had an accident a few years ago resulting in severe brain injury. He has always loved reading books but now finds it difficult to concentrate for long periods.
Paul has been writing poetry for decades. He is also a seasoned veteran of poetry reading. He has been reading his work in public since 1992. I enjoy it,
he says. I believe in self-expression and sharing words.
Paul says poetry reading is not only fun. Following my injury, my memory was non-existent,
he says. Reading has helped my memory and my self-esteem. Get up there and do it! It helps more than you realise!
Managing feelings - Avigail
Avigail has always loved the English language. She started writing her own poetry last year. Avigail has a mobility impairment and a son who was recently diagnosed with a mental illness. Avigail has been writing to help her manage her feelings.
Although she was initially scared, Avigail says poetry reading has helped her massively
. I get a lot out of my system as a mother and as a person,
Avigail says. I’m getting a lot more assertive. Reading here keeps me going. They are non-judgmental here.
Reading around town
There are many places around Melbourne where you can read your own poetry. You can also have a great time just listening to other people.
Here is a selection of some of the most popular poetry readings around town:
Poetry at The Idgaff, Abbotsford
8pm, first Wednesday of the month
Entry $5
Passionate Tongues at The Brunswick Hotel
Second and fourth Monday of the month
Free entry
Wordplay at the Dan O'Connell Hotel, Carlton
8pm, second Thursday of the month
Entry by donation
The Dan Readings at the Dan O'Connell Hotel, Carlton
2pm every Saturday
Free entry
Arthouse at The Royal Artillery Hotel, Melbourne
8pm every Monday
Free entry
Melbourne Poets Union at the Victorian Writers Centre, Melbourne
7.30pm, last Friday of the month
Entry $7 ($5 concession)
The Courthouse Readings at The Courthouse, Eltham
8pm every Thursday
Entry $5
Poetic Justice at O'Sullivan's Sibeen, Essendon
7.30pm every Tuesday
Entry $3 raffle
Babble Slam at Bar Open, Fitzroy
8pm, first Wednesday of the month
Entry $5
Poets, Proses and Posers at B'artiste Artist's Bar, Frankston
6.30pm, third Wednesday of the month
Free entry
Westword at The Dancing Dog Cafe, Footscray
5pm, second and fourth Sundays of the month
Entry $2.50 raffle
The Spinning Room at ET's Hotel, Prahran
8.30pm, every Tuesday
Entry $3 raffle
Lentil Bash at Lentil as Anything, St Kilda
8.30pm, every third Thursday of the month
Free entry
Writer's Platform at Claypot's, St Kilda
9.30pm, every Monday
Entry $5
Drunken Poets at The Drunken Poet, West Melbourne
8pm, first Thursday of the month
Free entry
Have you been to any poetry readings you can recommend to others? Locations in regional Victoria would be particularly welcome. Let us know in the comments section below.
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