Australian Poetry Slam '08

Australia's top performance poets battled for the coveted Australian Poetry Slam '08 title and more than $10,000 in cash and prizes at the Sydney Opera House on 4 December.

Canberra's Omar Musa won the National Grand Final in a dramatic 'slam off', scoring $5,000 plus a gig at the Ubud Readers and Writers Festival in 2009. Mark Lloyd from Perth won second place.

Poetry slam contestants are given a microphone and just two minutes to make an impression with their original spoken word acts.

In 2008 more than 600 emerging spoken word artists competed in 40 Poetry Slam heats held across every state and territory.

The Australian Poetry Slam is generously supported by a range of sponsors.

Victorian State Final

State final winner Si and runner-up Ezra Bix competed against heat winners from across Victoria in the exciting Poetry Slam final at the State Library. The electric event featured performances from the Bedroom Philosopher and slam legend Miles Merrill.

Victorian heats

Victorian heats took place in Geelong, Northcote, Footscray, Woodend and Mornington.

More information

For details of national slam heats, competition rules and more, visit the official Australian Poetry Slam website [external link].