Bards on Fire for New Zealand’s Biggest Slam Prize

The heats are on to see who will be in the running for Going West Books and Writers Festival’s 20^th year Poetry Slam Honours.

Poets can register now to take part in their local selection event. The top three placings from each heat go directly through to the grand final.  It’s a poetry slam worth going all-out for: First prize is $1,000, second prize is $500 and the third prize winner gets $300 – the biggest prize pool for poetry slam in the country.

Going West Poetry Slam producer Doug Poole encourages all new and established poets to take part.

“Poetry slamming is powerful, passionate and hugely entertaining. Draw on your courage and surround yourself with like minded creatives in a fun atmosphere,” says Mr Poole.

HEAT 2, for North Shore and Central Aucklanders is on Tuesday 1 September, 7.30 pm till late at “Poetry Live”, Thirsty Dog, 469 Karangahape Rd, Ponsonby.

The West Auckland heat is on Tuesday 8 September | 6.30pm  at Te Pou Theatre, 44A Portage Road, New Lynn and the final heat takes place on Saturday 12 September.  Registrations from 7.30.pm for an 8pm start. This fourth heat is on Poetry Slam Grand Final night.

To register, contact Dougpoole3@gmail.com, 021 144 6619. Find out more here: http://www.goingwestfest.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Rules-and-guidelines-for-Poetry-Slam-2015.pdf

Going West Books and Writers Festival Poetry Slam Grand Final is on Saturday 12 September at 8pm, at the Titirangi War Memorial Hall. Directed by Doug Poole and assisted by MC Zane Scarborough & Guest judges.

Tickets to the final are available from https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2015/sep/going-west-saturday

Read the full Going West Books and Writers Festival programme online at www.goingwestfest.co.nz.

The Festival is grateful for support from the Waitakere Ranges Local Board, Creative New Zealand, The Trusts Community Foundation, Foundation North and the Douglas family Trust.