News

‘Brave New World’ for diverse poetry

‘TOUGHEN up’, ‘be a man’ and ‘don’t cry’ are some of the age-old expressions that boys learn and embody from a young age.

Coming from a collective culture where expressing feelings is a sign of weakness, poets Elliot York Cameron, Ali Al Hajj, Pola Fanous, Andrew Cox and Mohammad Awad have carved a name for themselves in the field and are part of the impressive line-up with their segment, ‘On Masculinity’ when Bankstown Poetry Slam Festival presents ‘Brave New World’ at Bankstown Arts Centre this weekend (November 30 and December 1).
Other segments include ‘Women of the World’, ‘On Diaspora’, ‘EnviroSlam’, ‘On Politics’, ‘Anonymous Slam’ and ‘Hawraa Kash in Conversation with Rudy Franciso’.
International sensation Rudy will also open the festival with a two-hour workshop that will benefit beginners and seasoned poets alike (entry is $40, with only 30 spots available).
A first, the ‘Anonymous Slam’ will see a poet’s words be performed by a complete stranger, with total anonymity guaranteed. To sign up as a performer and perform someone else’s work, arrive at 4.45pm ahead of the 5pm segment on Saturday.
Poetry Slam Creative Director Sara Mansour said: “Brave New Word is exciting because it’s truly a first of its kind event, where we have curated and engaging events for our youth.
“By celebrating over 20 local artists partaking in the festival, as well as headlining US poet Rudy Francisco, it will be a magical weekend for those to get inspired by poetry.”
With free entry for children and concession holders, full day entry on both days is $20 excluding the workshop fee.
Book attendance at eventbrite and for the full program, go to bnwpoetryfestival.com.