Melbourne Poets Union's Saturday Night featuring Tariro Mavondo and Natalie Jeffreys

MPU’s first monthly event for 2019 is a superstar event with 2018 MSW Prize winner Natalie Jeffreys and Melbourne legend Tariro Mavondo, plus a $100 prize for best open mic’er. Expect a bright mix of styles and a warm atmosphere, welcoming to all. The bar will be open and reasonably priced.

Melbourne Poets Union (MPU) is a self-funded not for profit organisation dedicated to the promotion of poets and poetry in Victoria. They host monthly events and workshops in different venues around Melbourne and regional Victoria, run an annual international poetry competition, publish chapbooks, maintain an increasing web presence and are always looking for new opportunities for their members.

Wheelchair Accessible

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.

Slamalamadingdong featuring Magan Magan

Slamalamadingdong is Melbourne’s premiere poetry slam, being the only slam in Australia currently PSI-certified, with three rounds and high-calibre nationally and internationally recognised feature artists that push the boundaries of spoken word. Slama usually runs on the last Thursday of every month, with slammers competing for cash, a published video of their work, performance opportunities and the chance to represent Slama at national and international slam tournaments.

Poetesis Open Mic Poetry

Every second Wednesday, 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.

Poetry at Chrissy Hills featuring Andy Jackson

[email protected] Hills originally began as a bi-monthly reading called ‘Wine and Words’ at Acme et al in Yarra Glen. It was moved to the newly rebuilt Christmas Hills Mechanics’ Institute Hall in 2014. The hall is a great venue for a poetry night and it is fast becoming the cultural capital of the universe! The format is open mic followed by the featured reader and sometimes end the night with some scottish/celtic fiddle music. They have a lot of fun and laughter and no one takes themselves too seriously.

Danks Divergent Dialect

Danks Divergent Dialect is a new fortnightly open mic event hosted by Hamish Danks Brown a.k.a. Danksta Downunder. All welcome to distribute and sort their poetry on stage and to deliver it in any language. The Post is well located on the corner of Brighton Road and Inkerman Street. If you’re coming from North of the Yarra catch the number 3 or 67 trams from Swanston Street and get out at Stop 34 right outside the pub. It’s a very warm and welcoming venue with good food and drinks.