Spoken Word

Santo Cazzati reads all of the prizewinning and placegetting poems in this year's Rhonda Jankovic Awards for social justice through literature. The late Rhonda Jankovic was the founder of the Spoken Word programme, a long time stalwart at 3CR and a tireless grassroots activist for many social justice issues.

Kylie and Benjamin Solah perform at the 3CR Fundraiser

A live recording from the 3CR Fundraiser @ Hares & Hyenas of Sandy Jeffs and Peter Bakowski

This is a live recording made at Hares and Hyenas on 29 May 2016. Judith Rodriguez reads new poetry, including a series of poems about Oodgeroo Noonuccall - Kath Walker. They knew each other in Brisbane in the 1950s when a group of friends gathered to talk philosophy, read poetry and make music at the home of John Manifold. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oodgeroo_NoonuccalJudith is a legend of Australian poetry and also a great teacher of poetry. For many decades she has taught poetry writing at the Council for Adult Education in Melbourne.

Robert James Conlon is a long time exponent of the art of taking an audience in one direction, only to sneak up behind them and yell 'Gotcha!'. This is not to say he will not put himself in the firing line. We all come under scrutiny and Robert's work features a high level of self-analysis.He has been a part of the Melbourne poetry scene since the 90s and has performed widely; in addition to his more recent long term project of posting more poems to Youtube than anyone ever. He studied writing at Latrobe Uni and continues to hone his craft the best way a poet can. By writing as often as possible.In 2014 he was the winner of the Brimank Poetry Competition (of which he has also been runner up). He has been a Victorian finalist of the Australian Poetry Slam and also battled Komninos Zervos in a poetry-wrestling ring in 2015.

Join Ela Fornalska and her guest and fellow 3CR ‘Spoken Word’ co-producer Peter Davis for a jam packed programme. Peter is a poet in his own right and shares some of his work. He also shares what it is like to be a busking flautist and his early involvement in 3CR community radio, as well as the history of poetry on 3CR. We discuss our up-coming inaugural ‘Spoken Word’ benefit gig for radiothon (Sunday 29th May, 2016), the Dax poetry collection and touch on Buddhism and the power of mindfulness and meditation in mental health.  Music by Nick DrakeTo find out more about Peter Davis and his work, explore the links below: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/431914 http://www.theage.com.au/news/books/the-retired-hermit/2006/08/10/1154803029570.html?page=fullpage http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/360/in-search-of-the-hermit-within/5556172 http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/hindsight/pennies-pokeys-punks-and-the-prince/3223196 http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/06/17/1087245038103.htmlhttps://au.linkedin.com/in/peter-davis-ba286862https://meenwhylemedia.com/2014/10/03/podcast-interview-peter-davis/ http://www.livingpositivevictoria.org.au/speakers/bio-peter-davis.htm Image by Di Cousens

Linda Stevenson has a great poetry blog, 'Written there on skin' :http://writtenonskin.blogspot.com.au/'Linda Stevenson is a thoughtful poet whose work ranges from intellectual word play to direct and simple appeals to the emotions. One of her own paintings forms the beautiful cover illustration. Her words paint pictures too – scenes and images that continue to haunt the reader after the words have been read.  And her language is full of music.'      REVIEW by Rosemary Nissen-WadeLinda says of her writing, "My poetry is a part of my life, that creative part so vital to our human individuality. It has been a lifelong habit, scribbling words down, from childhood on through adolescence, adulthood and now into mature older age.I love the process that takes the poet from the raw first phrases on through the building of themes and expressed ideas and finally to the crafting of a satisfying work. The sharing of that creation with others is the icing on the cake." To buy Linda's chapbook Written on SkinOrders and pre-orders From Blank Rune Press, via Linda’s poetry blog ‘Written There on Skin’Via the Blank Rune Books Facebook pageBy email Valli will take a firm order, supply payment details, and forward the book after the money is received in the account.Order price: RRP $15 AUD including P&H.

Barry Dickins describes his journey in poetry and reads women poets such as Christina Rosetti, Anna Akhmatova and Melbourne icon, Kerry Scuffins.

Michael has been described as ‘the patron saint of Melbourne’s Poetry’ and is much loved by poets around Melbourne. He grew up in Geelong but is a mad Hawthorn fan. He started reading at the Dan in 1999 and currently runs Passionate Tongues at the Brunswick Hotel every second Monday night. He has done a lot for everyone, encouraging new poets to continue having a go on the open mic, and giving many of us our first features. He released a chapbook through Melbourne Poets Union called ‘Upon finding a chair in the forest’ in 2008 which has had four reprints since then. His work jumps out at you for it’s careful use of language and the hilarious word play poems. Michael is also known for his photography and many of his photo’s have been used to advertise and promote poets all around Melbourne and serve as a record of the history of the poetry scene.

Hear young, talented poet Robbie Coburn read brand new poems from a collection he is currently working on as well as some in-depth discussion about his poetic process, his influences and how he got started. We also take a closer look at particular poems and Robbie reveals how poetry saved him: “I 100% believe that I would be dead without poetry.” With musical excerpts by Lou Reed and Bob Dylan www.robbiecoburn.com.au