Spoken Word

On this week's show, we hear work by Neil Morris' DRMNGNOW, poetry and an excerpt from an interview with Kim Jeffs, as well as our continuing replay of the 2019 Melbourne Spoken Word Prize. Neil Morris has set up a Fire Relief Fund for First Nations Communities. The address for online donations is below:https://au.gofundme.com/f/fire-relief-fund-for-first-nations-communities

Anne M. Carson's new book of poetry, Massaging Himmler, takes us into the life of Dr Felix Kersten. He worked as a masseur to the notorious Nazi Heinrich Himmler during World War II. Through this exclusive access he was able to obtain the freedom of thousands of inmates of Germany's concentration camps. Interviewed by Di Cousens.

Airing another selection of performances from the 2019 Melbourne Spoken Word Prize.

Tune in to hear a replay of Carmen Main's first show way back when in 2017 with the generous and exceptionally talented Waffle Irongirl. This show contains ramen, Barnsey, feminism and words on brick walls.

Today's show featured audio from the 2019 Melbourne Spoken Word Prize, recorded at The Collingwood Town Hall on December 6, 2019.

Melbourne poet, Caz Masel, talks about and reads poetry from her new book, Moorings. Interviewed by Di Cousens.

George O'Hara plays a tribute to the much-loved poet, James Jackson, who sadly passed in November 2019. This archival recording is from a performance at The Dan O'Connell Hotel.

Tune in to Spoken Word on 3CR 9am Thursday 21st November to hear Antony Riddelll in conversation with Carmen Main. Antony shares excerpts of his novel 'Animalcule' ahead of his book launch Saturday 23rd November 2pm at the Dan O' Connell Poetry Readings in Carlton (225 Canning St, Carlton).  We hope to see you there!---------Join Write-ability and The Dan Poets to celebrate the launch of Animalcul...

Thabani Tshuma shares some of his award-winning writing and performance skills this week on Spoken Word! A shortlist nominee for The 2019 Melbourne Spoken Word Prize, Thabani's work explores mental health, addiction, generational trauma and time travel, captivating audiences with its raw honesty and humour. Winner of the 2019 Slamalamadingdong! Poetry Slam, Thabani has recently returned from the I...

Anne M. Carson's new book of poetry, 'Massaging Himmler', takes us into the life of Dr Felix Kersten. He worked as a masseur to the notorious Nazi Heinrich Himmler during World War 2. Through this exclusive access he was able to obtain the freedom of thousands of inmates of Germany's concentration camps. Interviewed by Di Cousens.

Phu Linh Tran's new chapbook, Adventures in P-Minor, is featured in this programme, presented by Santo Cazzati. Linh addresses a range of issues - belief in a higher being, body fascism, ethnicity, jazz, and the mechanics of writing and performing poetry - in a striking, direct and witty style.

George O'Hara speaks with Lady Longdrop about her Melbourne Fringe Show, Yay for Cane Toads!

In this week's show we explore the intersections of hip hop and spoken word, through artists, Class A and EmKew. Inspired by a similar event in the UK, Class A has started "Speak on It", an event in Melbourne that offers a supportive and safe space for artists to come together to discuss mental health through A Capella hip hop and Spoken Word Poetry. The next event is on 17th October at 7pm in Cob...

Our special guests this week are US touring poet, Desireé V. Dallagiacomo, and Surf Coast poet and artist, Camille Barr.00:00 - 22:30Desireé will be in Melbourne as part of her Australian book tour, doing two shows, and a workshop. She chats with Brendan Bonsack on the phone from NSW, about marriage equality, the importance of poetry communities for mental wellbeing, the role of connective technol...

Archival sound from Lady Longdrop's performance at The Dan O'Connell Hotel in 2016

Tune in to 3CR 855AM or stream on 3cr.org.au to catch Scott Wings sharing a slice of his award winning upcoming Melbourne Fringe Festival show, 'Whiplash'.In conversation with Carmen Main, Scott delves deep into all things heart, dating, identity, mental health and masculinity with a freshness and honesty that is hard to ignore. The program will be available as a podcast shortly after airing. Get...

Our guest this week is Charlotte Sareño Raymond, sharing some poetry, and talking about the experience of putting together her Melbourne Fringe show, The Melanin Monologues - The Untold Stories of the South Asian Community. The show is on for one night only on Friday 13 September at Trades Hall - ETU Ballroom. More details at https://melbournefringe.com.au/event/the-melanin-monologues.

Eddy Burger and Koraly Dimitriadis talk about the new book of spoken word poetry, Solid Air. Photo at 3CR by Di Cousens. 

Santo Cazzati introduces his guest, fellow Italian Australian, Edward Caruso. Eddie has recently released a beautifully presented book of poetry and photography pertaining to his experiences in Argentina and Chile. He has a left political perspective on events there, reflected for certain in his poetry. There is, however, also very beautiful artistic and humanistic expression in his writing. A hig...

A live recording of feature poet, Di Cousens, at the Melbourne Spoken Word & Poetry Festival edition of Be Mused, on the 27th July 2019. The recording also includes poetry by the convener of the event, Cheung-Ling Wong.

In this episode of Spoken Word, tune in to hear Carmen Main in conversation with guest Libby Charlton. Libby shares some of her own original poems, as well as discusses the upcoming Dan Anthology Launch and Art Show, which will be held at The Dan O' Connell Hotel in Carlton on Saturday August 31st, 2pm-5pm. ---------------Libby's BioMy name is Libby Charlton and I’m a Poet, MC, Convenor, Jazz Fan,...

Eleanor Jackson is our guest this week, talking about the nuance and politics of gender, emotional nostalgia, the power of quiet, and the grief of new motherhood. She shares poems about her father, "the second man [she] wanted to be", and discusses stoicism and silence, and the notion of poetry as a secular prayer. She also talks about "racial reconciliation" in Australia, national truth-telling,...

Claire Gaskin is our guest on Spoken Word this week. Fresh from featuring at the Melbourne Spoken Word & Poetry Festival Closing Night, Claire talks about her first forays into live poetry in 1980s Melbourne, and how much the "scene" has changed. She reads some new and old works, and shares some insights into teaching (and marking!) poetry students, her writing process, and favourite poetic device...

A live recording from the vault, of a Brunswick Hotel Passionate Tongues feature performance by Steve Smart.

Rania Ahmed, winner of the MSW Prize People's Choice Award 2018, and feature performer at the 2019 Melbourne Spoken Word and Poetry Festival, is our guest this week.