Passionate Tongues featuring Amy Bodossian

Hosted by ‘the patron-saint of Melbourne poetry,’ poet and photographer Michael Reynolds, what began as a one-off gig on Valentine’s Day in 1999, has turned into one of the longest running gigs in Melbourne, now hosted every second Tuesday at The Brothers Public House, with a diverse range of features from Melbourne and sometimes from beyond, and a substantial space for open mic, it is great for first time readers or performers.

This venue is not wheelchair accessible. It has an automatic door entry, and a small step but no wheelchair accessible toilets.

To The Ends Of The 'Verse!

To the Ends of the ‘Verse is all open mic, all the time, hosted at the warm and cozy Open Studio in the inner-northern suburb of Northcote. Hosted by poets Justine Walsh and Emma Belle, it began as a spoken word poetry event for Belgrave’s inaugural End Of The Line festival in November 2012 and has been hosting events ever since. This event has two open mic poetry sets and a band that improvise two sets of hip hop jazz fusion. Audience members are welcome to freestyle with the band.

The venue is not wheelchair accessible.

Poetesis Open Mic Poetry

On Wednesdays, behind the bookshelf in Sooki Lounge’s secret downstairs ‘nook’, you will find a collection of Belgrave’s local creatives opening their chests and sharing their heart with one another.

An incredibly supportive environment where each poet is greeted with genuine applause.

The venue is not wheelchair accessible.

Words Out Loud Ballarat: Tainted Love

Words Out Loud is an open-mic night of reading, poetry and storytelling held on the third Thursday of each month at The Printers Room, Ballarat. People are welcome to read their own work, or perhaps a piece by a favourite author, to a maximum of five minutes. Monthly themes are non-compulsory. A dinner special and full cafe menu and bar are available all night. The event is free, but a gold coin donation is appreciated. Doors open from 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

Spoken Word at Bar Oussou

A night for the poetic sweepings of the inner north to degenerate into vitriol and confusion. And rise into revelation, liberating confession and poetic wisps of the sublime. A feast of clashing waters. All in a cozy artsy pup. No features, no list, no limits. Just put your hand up and come on up. Is your piece not really ready? It is for this gig. None of us know what will happen on the night, yet 100% of people performing spoken word here for the first time in their lives have survived so far, and often return for more.

The venue is not wheelchair accessible.

Slamalamadingdong! February Slam featuring Jesse Oliver

Slamalamadingdong is Melbourne’s premiere poetry slam, the first and only Australian slam to take a team to the US National Poetry Slam (twice), with three rounds and high-calibre nationally and internationally recognised feature artists that push the boundaries of spoken word. Although it’s a competition, the point is not the point, the point is the poetry. Slammers compete for cash, a published video of their work, performance opportunities and the chance to represent Slama at the National Poetry Slam in the United States each year.

The venue is fully wheelchair accessible.