THE WORLD’S GREATEST SPOKEN WORD ARTISTS RETURN TO SYDNEY AS STORY WEEK 2022 UNVEILS PROGRAM

Australia’s largest performing writer’s program, Word Travel’s Story Week returns from 15 - 23 October. The series of carefully curated events will be held around Sydney and bring together masterful wordsmiths for an inspiring line-up bursting with literary talent from across Australia and the world.

The initial programming for the action-packed week of wordsmithery has been revealed and this year’s centerfold events ensure that everyone can be a poet.

Sharing Circles will bring together anyone who is willing to listen and share. Gathering around the proverbial campground at Word Travels on 17 and 18 October from 6-8pm, Sharing Circles will tackle themes of Equality and Nature, respectively and open the room to subjects surrounding race, gender, accessibility and the environment. 

The star-studded lineup of events includes Sydney poet Mel Ree; hip-hop inspired storytelling drawing from Ethan Bell, a Wallabalooa man from the Ngunawal Nation; Huda the Goddessa a spoken word poet, educator, mental health advocate, dancer and workshop facilitator; Andrew Cox, a proud Filipino-Australian writer who’s sought after for his live expressions; and more!

“Poetry and spoken word have the ability to invoke subjects and themes that can push thoughts and incite change” says Miles Merril, Creative Director of Story Week. “This year’s lineup ranges from boundary-breaking writers who are not afraid to bring their own powerful personal personalities to the stage but has also been created to champion the untold stories of those who are itching to enter the world of poetry for the first time.”

The festival comes to an end with the Australian Poetry Slam National Final, a throwdown among the nation’s best outspoken wordsmiths on Sunday 23 October from 7:30-10pm at the iconic Sydney Opera House.

Other festival highlights include:

Poet-Taster (Weds 19 October, 6-8pm, AGNSW): Grab a cuppa and a snack then be joined by a selection of spoken wordsmiths at your table for a full course of hot poetry served ala carte. All you have to do is order and we’ll ask, “would you like a poet with that?” Then, your guest writer will join your table for a two minute show. Bon appetit! Cost: Free

Slam Your Poetry: Teacher’s Day (Thurs 20 October, 9:30am-2:30pm, Word Travels & Online): Poetry Slam > English Class. This Professional Development workshop, spoken word show and round-table discussion will empower you with skills and experiences to get your students slamming their Words. Author Miles Merrill, founder of the Australian Poetry Slam movement gives a deep dive into his techniques and a lunchtime discussion with Education Perfect. Cost: $180

Origin Stories (Thurs 20 October, 7:30-9:30pm, Word Travels): Discover the languages that flow through Sydney/Gadigal Country. Featuring Ethan Bell, Hani Abdile, Huda the Goddess and Andrew Cox; people will share their own personal stories and express how their lives were shaped by language in their mother tongues. Cost $17-$20

Girls on Key Poetry Film Showcase (Wed 19 October, 5:30 - 6:30pm, Word Travels). A showcase of the latest poetry films from film makers and poets Dai Moret, Carolyn Masel, Boy Renaissance, Trixi Rosa and Indigo Eli and Saara Lamberg.

Australian Poetry Slam - Youth Day (Fri 21 October, 10am-2pm, Word Travels). It’s a powerful day to watch-learn-do. Mel Ree, Andrew Cox, Page Sinclair and Huda the Goddess will spin language like a slingshot and teach students how to be slam champions before the tables turn and students take the mic with their fresh word.

Black Jam (Fri 21 October, 7:30-9:30pm, Customs House): Fred Leone, Huda Fadlelmawla, Sista Native, Kween G, Miles Merrill and Mel Ree turn the volume knob way up at a be-you-tea-full party where Black writers spit poems, stories and songs. Cost $17-$20

For more information and ticketing, please visit: www.wordtravels.info

WHAT: Story Week 2022
WHEN: Saturday 15 October - Sunday 23 October
WHERE: Various Venues throughout Sydney

ABOUT WORLD TRAVELS:

Word Travels is a not-for-profit arts organisation. We create literary and literacy programs for festivals, private companies, libraries, schools and cultural institutions around the Asia Pacific with a focus on developing performing writers. You can find us in theatres, schools, board rooms, health institutions, night clubs, prisons, regional towns, abandoned restaurants and libraries.

We believe that spoken word artists, poets, hip-hop artists, storytellers and monologists can develop an industry equal to that of actors, musicians and writers. Our main objective is to inspire people to tell their stories in creative ways, primarily through live performance.