Glebe Slam Heat, NSW

The Glebe heat was held on Tuesday, 2nd November at the Friend In Hand Hotel - host to the monthly spoken word night, 'Word In Hand'.
Hosted by Miles Merrill, the slam drew a variety of performers and the audience were treated to a nice range of styles of poetry.
The winner was Carolyn Neumann and the runner up was Greg North.

Here's what Carolyn and Greg had to say in their mini interviews:

Carolyn Neumann -

APS: Have you performed in front of an audience before?
CN: 2010 was my first time in a Poetry Slam though I have delivered addresses at Conferences many many years ago.

APS: How did you feel performing your own writing?
CN: Exposed.

APS: Do you have a favourite style of writing or a favourite writer?
CN: No and no. I like a range of styles and genres and am open to listening to a diverse delivery of words.

APS: Do you think it is important for Australians to write and perform their own work and why?
CN: Yes. Poetry from people's own life often breaks stereotypes and misconceptions others may have of them.

Greg North -

APS: Have you performed in front of an audience before?
GN: Yes, many times. I love it. It's what makes me come alive.

APS: How did you feel performing your own writing?
GN: Great. It's always wonderful to have an audience to present my own work to.

APS: Do you have a favourite style of writing or a favourite writer?
GN: I really enjoy humour and love the challenge of rhyme and rhythm.

APS: Do you think it is important for Australians to write and perform their own work and why?
GN: Absolutely! Everyone has something to say, something to contribute. As Miles says, we need to hear the voices of those outside the mainstream media and poetry, poetry slams particularly, are a great way to do that. Australia has its own culture and way of looking at the world and it's through experiences like poetry slams that we can express that culture and escape media stereotypes and imposed ideas. Real people telling their own real stories.

We look forward to seeing Carolyn and Greg perform at the NSW State Final!

(Pictures from the Glebe heat to come!)