Spoken Word

Santo Cazzati presents revolutionary socialist poetry.

Dave Munro talks about his recently released first book of poetry, Wearing My Father's Hat, published by the Melbourne Poets Union. Interviewed by Di Cousens.

Somali-Australian poet, Hani Abdile, is interviewed about her first collection of poetry, I Will Rise, by Di Cousens.

Trixi Rosa reads from her new collection of poetry, Double-knotted Shoelace, published by Girls on Key Press. Trixi Rosa is a poet and artist from Punakaiki, Aotearoa (New Zealand). She currently lives between Tāmaki Makaurau and the unceded Kulin Nation lands known as Melbourne. Trixi works for local non-profit organisations, collaborating with other artists to co-design community arts and cultur...

A live recording of local poet, Ren Alessandra, performing at the monthly spoken word gig, Girls on Key, at Open Studio in Northcote. Ren was winner of the Australian Poetry Slam in 2020, and was recently published by The Weekly Service, in The Bard Book. Her work explores her relationship with her femininity and her journey into self-discovery. She is currently working on her first collection. Th...

Thuy On is a freelance arts journalist, critic and editor who's written for a range of publications including The Guardian, The Australian, The Saturday Paper, The Age/SMH, ArtsHub, Sydney Review of Books, and Australian Book Review. She is the books editor of The Big Issue and her first collection of poetry, Turbulence, was published in 2020 by UWAP. Interviewed by Di Cousens. Photo by Brett Rawl...

Noisy chants for the imprisoned refugees in Carlton; nasty racists Marine Le Pen, Xi Jin Ping and Pauline Hanson put on trial; revolutionary poetry by Percy Bysshe Shelley, Pablo Neruda and Maya Angelou - in this revolutionary half hour with Santo Cazzati.

Santo Cazzati invites poet/singer/songwriter of Brittle Sun, Viki Mealings back to 3CR Spoken Word for a programme with a social justice slant. Viki is a gritty, honest artist who will not cover over difficult issues with saccharine and fake optimism. And yet, her poetry is indeed cause for optimism precisely because it is real and can thus show the way forward. Viki covers a wide range of subject...

Sandy Jeffs' new history of Larundel, a Melbourne psychiatric institution, is written from an insider perspective. As a past inmate she has an unparalleled understanding of the experience of living there and how it managed mental illness. In this book Sandy has collaborated with former staff member and social worker, Margaret Leggatt, to create a qualitative history of Larundel. It includes interv...

A bit of nostalgia for the times that were, and some reflections on the strange times that we find ourselves in! Director of Melbourne Spoken Word, Annie Solah, joins us to talk about the role technology has played in keeping gigs going during the pandemic, and chats about the MSW Spoken Word Gala, coming up on the 4th December 2020 at Twitch. TV/MelbSpokenWord With performances by Peter BakowskiA...

On this week's show, we talk to Daz Chandler, producer of the multi-disciplinary arts congregation, Vigil for the Smooth Handfish. The global event aims to provide a space to contemplate loss, grief, the parameters of care, radical hope, and “collaborative survival”. We hear samples of the extensive line-up of performances from individuals and communities all over the world, including Chris Bonney...

Anne M Carson talks about her poetic biography of Dr Felix Kersten who was Heinrich Himmler's personal masseur during World War 2. As a result of his access to HImmler and his exceptional ability to alleviate pain, Kersten was able to organise the release of many prisoners.

Seeing Red, half an hour of anti-capitalist agitation, mere propaganda, eminently unmarketable content, vulgar insults - and even some bewdyfull poetry - prepared and presented by Santo Cazzati.

On 3CR Spoken Word this week, we present a small selection of the vast body of work by Ania Walwicz, who sadly passed away last week. Ania was a truly original voice in the poetry community, and a much loved teacher. Ania's work and history can be viewed at her website, aniawalwicz.wixsite.com/poet. A Facebook group for sharing memories of Ania has been set up by Koraly Dimitriadis, The Ania Walwi...

Kerry reads from her book, The Million Star Hotel. This hotel is the sky at night, seen by those who sleep under the stars.

Maxine Beneba Clarke shares a long poem that tells a multi-generational story across countries, cultures and centuries.

On this week's show, we are joined by Lebanese-Australian poet and speaker, Farah Beaini. Farah shares her reflections, and a new poem, in the aftermath of the horrific explosion that occurred in the Port of Beirut on the 4th August. She also talks about the struggle and strength of the Lebanese people, and what the wider community can do to help. We hear a new track by hip hop artist, JUST.G.HAD,...

'A Kinder Sea' is a book of poetry by Felicity Plunkett and reviewed here by Alice Wanderer. Interviewed by Di Cousens.

Santo Cazzati presents another half hour of isolated wordplay madness. Special virtual guest : Mary Chydiriotis.

Judith Rodriguez shares some of her final poems six months before her passing in 2018. Interviewed by Di Cousens.

This program contains various speeches from the protest organised in Naarm/Melbourne on the 6th June 2020, in memory of George Floyd's death at the hands of police in the USA, and the over 432 deaths of Aboriginal people in police custody in Australia since 1991. It also features spoken word and music performances by various local artists. In order of appearance:LaniyukMeriki OnusJustin Grant / Ju...

Peter Bakowski talks about his new books, Elsewhere Variations with Ken Bolton and Wardrobe of Selves. Interviewed by Di Cousens.

In this episode, we talk with sibling duo, Eden and Josh Carell, who run Littlefoot and Company, an art therapy and spoken word project in the City of Casey. The Open Mic nights attract a broad range of ages and demographics featuring a blend of professional spoken artists as well as local newcomers to the art form. These events have also allowed the siblings to run a weekly art space led by Eden...