AUSTRALIAN POETRY SLAM CHAMP IS CROWNED
Announcement posted by Word Travels Story Fest 13 Oct 2014
A near-perfect score for the winner’s words
Zohab Zee Khan stalked the stage like a caged lion last night at the Australian Poetry Slam National Finals at the Sydney Opera House. Then, that lion from Wagga Wagga, NSW, was crowned king of the slam, taking out the title with a near perfect score.
Khan’s impassioned poetry about the Australian government’s treatment of refugees was not alone in its cry amongst the 16 semi-finalists. Several other contestants chose a similar topic, but it was Khan’s jaw-dropping delivery – in whispers and roars – that wowed the crowd and sent him straight into the final five poets.
For his final round piece, Khan chose a poem about his reason for writing, repeating the phrase, “I write not to fight but to love.” This piece had the audience erupt into thunderous applause and, was the decider that won Khan the Slam.
Already a touring artist, Khan, as the Australian Poetry Slam Champion, will now get to perform his poetry at the China Bookworm, Ubud, Byron Bay and Sydney International Readers’ and Writers’ Festivals in 2015. His first
As for the inspiration behind his pieces, Khan said, “I believe we can create change with our words and I want to try and do that. To utilise my words and the gifts that I have been given to encourage change for a better world.” There’s no doubt from last night’s performances that Khan is already well on his way to achieving his goal.
In a very close second place last night was Stephen Belowsky from WA, who, with incredible vocal agility, performed a piece in the guise of a racetrack commentator calling a race between global issues that would mean the end of the 21st century. In the end it came down to ‘global warming’ and ‘thermo-nuclear war’, with ‘utopia’ way down the back and nowhere to be seen.
Hosting the night was the exuberant and hilarious poet Emilie Zoey Baker, who kicked off the fun with a poem of her own, entitled ‘Australian Bloody Legend’.
Other performances throughout the evening included last year’s national champ, Jesse Brand, as well as special guests of the Word Travels Story Festival, Omar Musa, a Malaysian-Australian playwright, novelist, hip hop artist and poet, and Solo (Nick Bryant-Smith), one half of the hugely popular hip hop duo Horrorshow.
Miles Merrill, founder of the Australian Poetry Slam and Creative Director of the Word Travels Story Festival, said “All sixteen contestants of the National Final last night are extremely talented and captivating performers. It was certainly one of the best poetry slams I’ve ever witnessed.”
Last night’s National Final wrapped up three jam-packed days of literary mayhem for the Word Travels Story Fest, which ran from Friday 10 – Sunday 12 October, with events at The Rocks, Sydney Opera House and Sydney Dance Lounge.
For more information please visit: www.wordtravelsfestival.com
Australian Poetry Slam website: www.australianpoetryslam.com
Word Travels Facebook: www.facebook.com/wordtravels.info
Australian Poetry Slam Facebook: www.facebook.com/AustralianPoetrySlam
Australian Poetry Slam YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/AustralianPoetrySlam/videos
Khan’s impassioned poetry about the Australian government’s treatment of refugees was not alone in its cry amongst the 16 semi-finalists. Several other contestants chose a similar topic, but it was Khan’s jaw-dropping delivery – in whispers and roars – that wowed the crowd and sent him straight into the final five poets.
For his final round piece, Khan chose a poem about his reason for writing, repeating the phrase, “I write not to fight but to love.” This piece had the audience erupt into thunderous applause and, was the decider that won Khan the Slam.
Already a touring artist, Khan, as the Australian Poetry Slam Champion, will now get to perform his poetry at the China Bookworm, Ubud, Byron Bay and Sydney International Readers’ and Writers’ Festivals in 2015. His first
As for the inspiration behind his pieces, Khan said, “I believe we can create change with our words and I want to try and do that. To utilise my words and the gifts that I have been given to encourage change for a better world.” There’s no doubt from last night’s performances that Khan is already well on his way to achieving his goal.
In a very close second place last night was Stephen Belowsky from WA, who, with incredible vocal agility, performed a piece in the guise of a racetrack commentator calling a race between global issues that would mean the end of the 21st century. In the end it came down to ‘global warming’ and ‘thermo-nuclear war’, with ‘utopia’ way down the back and nowhere to be seen.
Hosting the night was the exuberant and hilarious poet Emilie Zoey Baker, who kicked off the fun with a poem of her own, entitled ‘Australian Bloody Legend’.
Other performances throughout the evening included last year’s national champ, Jesse Brand, as well as special guests of the Word Travels Story Festival, Omar Musa, a Malaysian-Australian playwright, novelist, hip hop artist and poet, and Solo (Nick Bryant-Smith), one half of the hugely popular hip hop duo Horrorshow.
Miles Merrill, founder of the Australian Poetry Slam and Creative Director of the Word Travels Story Festival, said “All sixteen contestants of the National Final last night are extremely talented and captivating performers. It was certainly one of the best poetry slams I’ve ever witnessed.”
Last night’s National Final wrapped up three jam-packed days of literary mayhem for the Word Travels Story Fest, which ran from Friday 10 – Sunday 12 October, with events at The Rocks, Sydney Opera House and Sydney Dance Lounge.
For more information please visit: www.wordtravelsfestival.com
Australian Poetry Slam website: www.australianpoetryslam.com
Word Travels Facebook: www.facebook.com/wordtravels.info
Australian Poetry Slam Facebook: www.facebook.com/AustralianPoetrySlam
Australian Poetry Slam YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/AustralianPoetrySlam/videos