Gran Slam 2022
Do you have a bold idea to pen? A passionate voice to be heard?
SPECIAL NOTE: Applications are now closed for Gran Slam 2022 Online Workshops. Check out the Gran Slam LIVE events at HOTA, Home of the Arts and Redland Performing Arts Centre.
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If you’re over 65 with a story to share, a declaration to make, or an opinion to be penned, Gran Slam will inspire you to write and perform poetry that moves and inspires.
Gran Slam 2022 features a FREE online 6-week slam poetry workshop program, facilitated by award winning author, musician, poet and podcaster, J.M. Donellan with special guest, the internationally toured Hip-Hop artist and spoken word performer, Morganics.
We are also delighted to announce in 2022 we will present two Gran Slam LIVE events, hosted by award-winning comedian Jenny Wynter, as well as face-to-face masterclasses to ‘polish up your performance skills’ for people living in South East Queensland and surrounds.
No experience is necessary, just passion and enthusiasm to have a go!
Throughout the six week course you’ll gain tools and advice for crafting a great poem that can be expressed through spoken word, meet new friends, be inspired by our expert poets and literary guests.
We believe that now more than ever, we need to hear the voices of older Australians, amplified and visible to the world.
General Enquires to projectproducer@everybodynow.com.au
General Event Info
- Limited spots are available, so get in quick to ensure you are a part of this unique opportunity.
- Participation in the online workshops is open to seniors across Australia and will be held on zoom. Don’t worry, we provide training and support to help you confidently get online and participate
- You'll need access to the internet and to a computer or ipad.
- If you are also interested in the face-to-face opportunities in South East Queenland, you can indicate in your registration form
Free Workshop Program
Weekly Online Workshops
Every Wednesday From 3rd August – 7th September 2022
Time
10.00am – 11.30am & 1.30pm - 3.00pm (weeks 1 – 4)
3.30pm – 5.00pm (weeks 5 - 6)
Pricing
Free
Online Open Mic night
Wednesday 14th September TBC
Time
TBC
Masterclass - Polish Up Your Performance Skills
Wednesday 28 September
Redland Performing Arts Centre
Time
9am - 12pm
Pricing
Free
Thursday 29 September
HOTA Home of the Arts
Time
9am - 12pm
Pricing
Free
"What a growth Gran Slam has added to my life! I am able to see poetry in everything. I lost so many inhibitions and have emerged so much braver and ready for anything."
Wendy Taylor80 years young"I can't stop writing - the words just keep coming to me! You don't know yourself what you can do until you participate in a project like this - and that is an important discovery."
Nina Marzi 98 years young"This project gave me a voice. What a wonderful opportunity for learning new skills and challenging myself to overcome fears."
Julie Crow77 years youngArtists
J.M. DONELLAN is an author, musician, poet, podcaster, and teacher. He was almost devoured by a tiger in the jungles of Malaysia, nearly died of a lung collapse in the Nepalese Himalayas and once fended off a pack of rabid dogs with a guitar in the mountains of India. He has performed at the Sydney Writers’ Festival, TEDxBrisbane, the Sydney Opera House, Brisbane Festival and some very prestigious basements.
His writing spans a range of genres and formats including the poetry collection Stendhal Syndrome, the Kirkus Prize nominated novel Killing Adonis, the dance/spoken word collaboration Inter, and the podcast series Six Cold Feet. His children’s poetry collection 19 ½ Spells Disguised As Poems has been hailed as ‘the worst recipe book of all time.’ He has two novels slated for release in 2023; Lenore’s Last Funeral and the Fabulist, the film adaptation of the latter is currently in development with Continuance Pictures.
Morganics is an award-winning Hip-Hop artist, spoken word performer, director, and community arts worker. As an MC, beatboxer, Bboy, producer, and Hip-Hop Theatre artist he has performed from New York to London, from Sydney to Prague.
Morganics has worked extensively with Indigenous communities throughout Australia, in juvenile and adult jails, with disabled and refugee groups and produced an album for ex-street kids in Tanzania. His Hip Hop feature film “Survival Tactics” and new EP “Dusty Gems” are out now with his book “Hip Hop Is My Passport” and EP “Rhythms and Poetry” coming soon.
Jenny Wynter is an award-winning comedian who has performed at festivals and venues all over the world. She got her start training in improvised comedy with some of the greatest teachers in the world including with Second City USA and Loose Moose Theatre in Canada.
Her awards include Best Variety Show at United Solo Festival NYC, the Award for Excellence in Cabaret at Melbourne Fringe She won the ABC iView Pitch Perfect Award for her web series concept “Viking Mama!” (based on her live show of the same name), and is a Green Room Award nominee for Best Cabaret Writing.
Jenny is a passionate mental health advocate and the founder of Funny Mummies(TM).
Partners
Gran Slam is a project by Everybody NOW! supported by the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund – an Australian Government initiative.
