Gran Slam
Gran Slam is a community engagement project that gives voice to older Australians using the form of Slam Poetry.
The project is an opportunity for seniors – the original change makers and wordsmiths of wisdom – to write and perform poetry that moves and inspires. Gran Slam calls on passionate over 65’s with something important to say, a declaration to make, an opinion to be penned, a story to share.
Since the project was launched in 2019, a hundred and seventy fearless seniors from across Australia have taken a bold leap into the world of slam poetry under the mentorship and guidance of some of Australia’s most renowned performance poets.
Gran Slam is a multi-faceted program including a mix of digital and in-real-life workshops, masterclasses, live performances, events and publications; all of which provide a powerful platform for critical social connection, creativity and positive mental health and well being.
Recent highlights have included; Gran Slam Live at Redlands Performing Arts Centre and HOTA Home of the Arts, a national workshop program, Poetry Film Clips with music by Tom Thum and Gordan Hamilton from Australian Voices, a series of transformational digital workshops with Feros Care, and intergenerational workshops with Bolton Clarke bringing teenagers and seniors together.
Annually, we partner with venues, festivals, local councils, aged care providers, businesses or other organisations to deliver Gran Slam opportunities to seniors across Australia.
In 2023/ 2024 we are excited to launch our ‘In-Residence’ Program placing outstanding professional writers in aged care settings, plus Gran Slam Seens and Teens, a intergenerational slam poetry program delivered with high school students and seniors from the community and living in aged care settings.
If you would like to be a part of these exciting new initiatives please contact us on info@everybodynow.com.au
Touring History
Gran Slam LIVE
HOTA Home of the Arts
Oct 2021
Gran Slam 2020
Feros Care
July - Oct 2020
Gran Slam 2019
Feros Care
July - Oct 2019
Gran Slam 2022
Everybody NOW!
August - Oct 2022
Gran Slam LIVE
HOTA Home of the Arts, Redland Performing Arts Centre
1- 2 Oct 2022
"It’s made me quite emotional at times, quite reflective. It’s surprising what can happen when you just let yourself flow. This has restored in me the feeling that if I want to - I CAN!"
Barbara Hamilton 80yrs young from Robina Queensland"One of the things that seniors often comment about is that they feel invisible. Gran Slam really puts them on the map and allows their voices, which are so important, to be heard."
Tarnya Sim Marketing and Creative Manager Feros Care"There might be a perception that the only writing older people do is their will and letters to the editor, but Gran Slam has challenged those tropes, the stereotypes, the ideas, the limitations that society put on older people."
David Stavanger Poet and Workshop Facilitator"Gran Slam Live was very a entertaining and heartwarming show. The host was brilliant, the musicians superb, the poetry heartfelt."
Kelvin Hutchinson Audience Member Gran Slam LIVE Oct 2021
