Indrani Perera

poet, publisher & mentor

Tag: spoken word

Littlefoot & Co Spoken Word

Last night saw me heading south to Bunjil Place in Narre Warren for the Littlefoot and Co spoken word night. Bunjil Place is an incredible venue. If you haven't had a chance to check it out, it's well worth the trip. They have an incredible program of events throughout the year and the building is state of the art.

It was a wonderful night of spoken word and poetry with perfomances from first time poets right through to the 2020 Australian Poetry Slam Champion, Ren Alessandra. Spoken word gigs are a roller coaster of emotion as the poets take you on a wild ride through their experiences and imaginations. What I love about spoken word and the poetry community here in Melbourne is how welcoming they are. It doesn't matter if you're a novice or a superstar, everyone gets an enthusiastic reception. Of course, part of what makes this particular event so special is its hosts, Eden and Josh.

It was only the second time I've perfomed live since lockdown ended and it was wonderful to be back on stage. For once, I didn't preplan or rehearse everything I was going to say. I wasn't even 100% sure what poems I was going to recite. I was too busy before hand to prepare so I decided to try something new and wing it!

I had a few poems I was thinking about performing but it wasn't until the gig was underway that I made my final choice. I recited My Words and The Shift which are about the creative porcess of writing a poem and I finished with Never Seen which was published in Brownface, issue 100 of Cordite.

It was interesting performing in this way – with no practice or preparation. I liked speaking off the cuff about my poems and I wasn't too nervous either. Perhaps it was because I wasn't trying to be perfect and get all the words to my intorduction right. Maybe it's because it was familiar and I've done it before. Whatever the reason, I really appreicated the feeling of being comfortable on stage and behind the microphone. I found I still knew My Words and The Shift off by heart even though it's been a while since I've perfomed them. It was like slipping into an old and familiar jumper that's cosy and warm.

The night ended with two original songs from a local songwriter and musician. This is one of the best spoken gigs in Melbourne and I'll definitely be going back for more poetry goodness!

March 12, 2021
The Melbourne Spoken Word Prize

On Friday night I headed into town for the extravaganza of words and wit that is the Melbourne Spoken Word Prize. Now in its fifth year, the prize features twenty-five of Melbourne's spoken word artists as nominated by the convenors of the regular poetry gigs held around Melbourne each week. If you're poet, Melbourne is the town to be in. If you don't believe me, head on over to Melbourne Spoken Word to check out the gigs on now.

The Prize was held in the ornate Collingwood Town Hall and filled with a group of chattering poets all keen to see who would take out the prize for Melbourne's best spoken word artist. There were three prizes for the night – Convenors Prize for most nominated poet, the People's Choice Award and the Judges Prize worth a cool $1400.

The poetry community is welcoming, supportive and inclusive. It's a safe space where you can be vulnerable and share your darkest and most painful moments. Going to a spoken word event is like getting a huge hug from all your friends. It was great to be there on Friday night, hearing amazing poetry and catching up with my poetry buddies.

The calibre of the performers was incredible. Their performances were electric. The way they could take a word and make it sing, turn a phrase with a deft ear, flip metaphors on their head and leave you shouting for more. I didn't envy the judges their choice at all. It was hard enough figuring out who to vote for in the People's Choice Award when all the performers were outstanding.

Emilie Collyer asked who I voted for – was it the poet whose language I admired? Or perhaps the one who tugged at my heart strings. Or maybe even the one who surprised and took the poem to unexpected places. I went for the person who moved me most. My stand out performers in a night of stars were Amy Bodossian with her poignant piece and incredible singing. Ren Alessandra with her don't mess with me feminist call to arms. Loran Steinberg with her quiet and compelling voice. Yoram Symons with his call to ad felinity to the divinity. Wahibe Moussa who hit me right in the feels. And Josh Cake for his timely piece about how much time we have left.

In the end it was Tabani Tshuma who won. And when I say won I mean he won all the prizes. The Convenors' Award, The People's Choice and the Judges' Prize. His performance was amazing. Masterful and powerful with an incredible use of language and imagery.

December 9, 2019
Going Out With A Bang

The closing night for the Melbourne Spoken Word & Poetry Festival at Howler in Brunswick on Sunday night was incredible. Six featured poets, four hours of spoken word and more inspiration than you could poke a stick at.

Jon Englezos had me wiping away surreptitious tears with his beautiful poem about his yai yai. A masterful example of the power of story to connect us all.

I am so lucky to live in country where we can all speak up and be heard. Huge thanks to Melbourne Spoken Word for bringing Rania Ahmed to the stage last night to share her poetry. Seeing the world through her eyes was a revelation.

Legendary poet Claire Gaskin rocked the stage last night with her reinterpretation of Greek mythology, giving voice to the women ignored by his/story.

I'm steeling reeling from Tenda McFly's performance. A mixture of spoken and sung word plus video and collaboration. If you're a poet, go check out Gladiator. It will inspire you to keep writing.

American poet Bill Moran gave a stream of consciousness Beat style performance melding spoken word and music with haunting images. He has got the most expressive face I think I've ever seen.

Headlining the event was the Individual World Poetry Slam champion Mic Ting. I was mesmerized by his eloquence and use of gestures to illustrate a point or heighten the moment. I attended his Extended Metaphor workshop on Saturday which was amazing. It was wonderful to then hear how he incorporates metaphor into his work. He also used characters and personas in his performance. This was beyond poetry. It was a masterclass in storytelling.

I hung around for the after party, chatting to fellow poets, meeting the features and not wanting the night to end. The whole festival has been the most incredible experience and I am so grateful to Benjamin Solah and the whole team over at Melbourne Spoken Word for all their hard work in putting the festival on.

July 31, 2019
Book Fair

Sunday morning saw me packing all my books into bags and heading back in to town for the Melbourne Spoken Word & Poetry Festival Book Fair at Siteworks in Brunswick.

It was super fun to be spending a day hanging out with other poets and checking out all the cool things they're publishing. Lots of chapbooks, zines, second hand poetry books (thanks Fiona for the great haul!) and more. I loved Kat's beautiful chapbook, Hungry and her illustrated posters. Eddie Burger had a humongous range of zines for sale. Adiba was selling books in Syriac (the first international language), Arabic and English. Imagine being able to speak and write in three languages!

I was selling Defenestration, my hand bound chapbook, Wild Heart, as well as bookmarks and postcards from the book. I did really well and only have left 3 copies of my limited edition run of 25 for Wild Heart. If you couldn't make it to the Book Fair but want to buy a book, they're for sale in my online shop.

There was an open mic for the stall holders and Tim did a series of interviews with the authors during the day. It was great to chat to all the other poets and see what they're creating. I'm feeling very inspired now!

July 24, 2019
When I Say Spoken You Say Word

I've just had the most amazing weekend filled with spoken word goodness. It's all thanks to Benjamin Solah and the incredible team at Melbourne Spoken Word. They're worked their butts off to put together an incredible two and half weeks of events and workshops in and around Melbourne for 2019's Melbourne Spoken Word and Poetry Festival.

On Friday I headed into the city to the Toff in Town for the opening night of the festival. I got to see seven incredible artists strut their stuff in a room jam packed with enthusiastic poets and word enthusiasts. Natalie Jeffreys was heart-felt and moving. The rhythm and sound of Zaynab G Farah's voice was captivating. Emilie Collyer brought a moment of stillness with quiet poems to lean in to. Arielle Cottingham's performance blew my mind – it was a rollercoaster full of movement and sound that I never wanted to end. Eleanor Jackson was assured, cheeky and just a little bit outrageous. All she wanted was for someone to buy her a drink, there was no metaphor, there was never a metaphor. She was just thirsty. Singaporean poet Stephanie Dogfoot was funny and charismatic. I wanted to be as cool as her. And as young. Luka Lesson had presence and gravity and when he got together with Mena Shamaly on the oud and they improvised it was sublime.

Saturday saw me attending the Fresh Voices workshop with American poet Arielle Cottingham. After seeing her live the night before I was super psyched to learn with her and she didn't disappoint. Arielle's favourite part of the writing process is the editing and she shared some awesome techniques for improving your work which were just what I was looking for. It's super easy to look at someone else's work and say – get rid of this line or that's a cliche. It's much harder when it's your own stuff. I even got a poem out of the workshop which is always a bonus.

Yesterday was another day of poetry immersion, this time focussing on performance with Scott Wings. The workshop was incredible – we pretty much spent the whole time our feet, in our bodies and moving around the room with kinaesthetic response and other techniques. It was brilliant to be back in my body and I didn't want the workshop to end.

Over the weekend I learnt some awesome skills, meet some fabulous fellow poets and had a ball. Thanks Melbourne Spoken Word, you put on an awesome festival. And it's not over yet!

July 15, 2019
Open Mike Adventures

I've been diving head first into the terrifying recently. Going to spoken word gigs and putting my name down for the open mike section. Getting up there and reading my work to a room full of strangers. Like I said, terrifying and incredibly humbling to share a stage with giants in the Melbourne scene.

I've been to Passionate Tongues at the Brothers Arms in Fitzroy, Dan Poets at the Dan O'Connell in Carlton, Littlefoot & Co in Narrewarren and Girls on Key in Northcote. The first time I got up behind the mike I was petrified. Everyone was looking. And no-one was being distracted, they were all staring. And listening. To me. I somehow got through that very first poem, hand shaking as I held the piece of paper and spoke into the microphone. The audience were amazing and supportive. When I said it was my first open mike ever, they whooped and hollered. The poetry community here in Melbourne is the best!

I love hearing poets read their own work. There's nothing quite like it. Sometimes a word captures my ear and my imagination. Other times it's the poet's voice rolling and crashing on the shores of my memories. In the last few moths I've had the privilege of hearing Fenella Edwards, Benjamin Solah, Waffle Irongirl, Wani, Robbie Coburn and Krish Prasad. And they're just the featured artists.

If you're interested in spoken word and live in Melbourne check out the excellent Melbourne Spoken Word for gigs near you. There are amazing poets performing in venues all across Melbourne and a lot of the gigs are free. You can pretty much go see live poetry every night of the week. It's awesome. Go check it out!

May 27, 2019
Workshops
Indrani Perera teaches poetry workshops and classes for primary and secondary school students as well as adults of all ages. She has taught online and in person classes. She offers both one-on-one online sessions as well as group classes which can be taught either online or in person. Organisations she has taught workshops for include Melbourne Spoken Word and WA Poets Inc.

‘Indrani’s friendly manner and her skill in leading participants to achieve breakthroughs made this a pleasant and enjoyable workshop. Definitely worth the time attending.’

Gary De Piazzi

Secretary, WA Poets Inc

In this unique workshop with Naarm/Melbourne poet and board gamer Indrani Perera, you will create your very own custom poetry game with which you can write original poems! Exercises include creating a personal word bank, customising a die and making word cards. And of course, writing poems!

Play isn’t just for kids – it stimulates the brain and enhances cognitive abilities such as critical thinking, problem solving and creativity. All necessary skills for poets. Suitable for all ages and abilities, this is the workshop that puts the fun back into writing!

Workshop: Game On – Word Play for Poets!

Facilitator: Indrani Perera

Event: Perth Poetry Festival 2025

Organiser: WA Poets Inc

Time: 11.30 am – 1.30 pm AWST

Date: Friday 29th August 2025

Venue: City of Vincent Library 99 Loftus Street, Leederville, WA, 6007.

Cost: $30/$25

BOOK NOW!

To book one of the below workshops or to enquire about a class you would like her to create for you, please email Indrani with ‘Poetry Workshop’ in the subject line.
Do you find it hard to put your feelings into words? Are you struggling to find ideas? Has the muse left you and inspiration fled? Are you stuck in a rut with your writing — revisiting the same metaphors and line breaks again and again?

It’s time to neurohack your writing and get out of your poetry rut!

In this two hour workshop with Indrani Perera, author of pas de deux and editor of the Pocketry Almanack, you’ll learn how to get out of your head and creep into the cracks by exploring the spaces in between. Through exercises and writing prompts you will:
- use movement and drawing as part of your writing practice and to access different parts of the brain.
- write poems from different points of view, including insects and inanimate objects.
- write using senses other than sight — especially those of sound and hearing.
Bring your child-like self, a sense of adventure and a willingness to play!

Workshop: Beyond the Page Poetry Workshop

Facilitator: Indrani Perera

Event: Sonic Poetry Festival 2024

Time: 10.30.00am – 12.30pm AEST

Date: Saturday 7th September 2024

Venue: Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre, 251 Faraday Street, Carlton VIC 3053
In this intimate, one-on-one online class, you will learn what gives a poem its heart, how to breathe life into your words and the importance of good bones (aka structure).

Poetry prompts will be provided during the session and there will be time to write your own poems. Participants receive notes with a list of writing resources and recommended reading.

Workshop: Anatomy of a Poem

Facilitator: Indrani Perera

Time: 10.00 – 11.30am AEST

Date: Friday 17th November 2023

Venue: Online

Get out of your head and creep into the cracks with a workshop that explores the spaces in between. Bring your child-like self, a sense of adventure and a willingness to play. Through movement, sound and drawing you’ll discover how to write poems that move beyond the page.

As a tool to tap into those spaces between our thoughts, this workshop will also explore different ways of using pen and paper. Bring along any art supplies that feel inspiring (coloured pencils, textas, watercolour paints, pastels) as well as journals, sheets of blank paper etc. It’s an excuse to go wild in the stationery section!

Workshop: Beyond Words: A Liminal Spaces Workshop

Facilitator: Indrani Perera

Event: Perth Poetry Festival 2023

Organiser: WA Poets Inc

Time: 9.00 – 11.00am AWST

Date: Saturday 16th September 2023

Venue: Centre for Stories. 100 Aberdeen St, Northbridge, WA

Find the joy in writing and learn to play with your words in this workshop packed with fun and games.

Suitable for all ages but it’s especially great for primary school students and adults looking to lighten up a little.

Workshop: Word Play

Facilitator: Indrani Perera

Time: 10.30 am – 12.30 pm

Date: Tuesday 21st March 2023

Venue: Harkaway, Victoria

‘The workshop was a combination of interactive games and activities that kept even adults motivated to participate! We all had a really great experience and I would highly recommend it! I am looking forward to repeat the workshop again in future.’

Victoria Konash

Dressmaker, Fashion Designer & Parent

You’ve written a book. Yay you! Now what? This workshop will show you how to promote your poetry online and in person so that people will learn about you and want to buy your work.

You’ll learn how to create an online presence, how to find a writing community and how to build your reputation and get your work known by fellow poets. The workshop will also touch on branding and creating promotional materials. Promoting Your Poetry is aimed at poets but the content applies to all writers seeking to promote themselves.

Workshop: Promote Your Poetry

Facilitator: Indrani Perera

Event: Melbourne Spoken Word Festival Online

Time: 2.00 pm AEST

Date: Saturday 1 August 2020

Venue: Online

Book one of the above workshops for your organisation or group, or enquire about mentoring services, via email to Indrani with ‘Poetry Workshop’ in the subject line.

Don’t see what you’re looking for? Send an email to Indrani and she can design a workshop for you and/or your group!
March 18, 2019
Workshops
Indrani Perera teaches poetry workshops and classes for primary and secondary school students as well as adults of all ages. She has taught online and in person classes. She offers both one-on-one online sessions as well as group classes which can be taught either online or in person. Organisations she has taught workshops for include Melbourne Spoken Word and WA Poets Inc.

‘Indrani’s friendly manner and her skill in leading participants to achieve breakthroughs made this a pleasant and enjoyable workshop. Definitely worth the time attending.’

Gary De Piazzi

Secretary, WA Poets Inc

In this unique workshop with Naarm/Melbourne poet and board gamer Indrani Perera, you will create your very own custom poetry game with which you can write original poems! Exercises include creating a personal word bank, customising a die and making word cards. And of course, writing poems!

Play isn’t just for kids – it stimulates the brain and enhances cognitive abilities such as critical thinking, problem solving and creativity. All necessary skills for poets. Suitable for all ages and abilities, this is the workshop that puts the fun back into writing!

Workshop: Game On – Word Play for Poets!

Facilitator: Indrani Perera

Event: Perth Poetry Festival 2025

Organiser: WA Poets Inc

Time: 11.30 am – 1.30 pm AWST

Date: Friday 29th August 2025

Venue: City of Vincent Library 99 Loftus Street, Leederville, WA, 6007.

Cost: $30/$25

BOOK NOW!

To book one of the below workshops or to enquire about a class you would like her to create for you, please email Indrani with ‘Poetry Workshop’ in the subject line.
Do you find it hard to put your feelings into words? Are you struggling to find ideas? Has the muse left you and inspiration fled? Are you stuck in a rut with your writing — revisiting the same metaphors and line breaks again and again?

It’s time to neurohack your writing and get out of your poetry rut!

In this two hour workshop with Indrani Perera, author of pas de deux and editor of the Pocketry Almanack, you’ll learn how to get out of your head and creep into the cracks by exploring the spaces in between. Through exercises and writing prompts you will:
- use movement and drawing as part of your writing practice and to access different parts of the brain.
- write poems from different points of view, including insects and inanimate objects.
- write using senses other than sight — especially those of sound and hearing.
Bring your child-like self, a sense of adventure and a willingness to play!

Workshop: Beyond the Page Poetry Workshop

Facilitator: Indrani Perera

Event: Sonic Poetry Festival 2024

Time: 10.30.00am – 12.30pm AEST

Date: Saturday 7th September 2024

Venue: Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre, 251 Faraday Street, Carlton VIC 3053
In this intimate, one-on-one online class, you will learn what gives a poem its heart, how to breathe life into your words and the importance of good bones (aka structure).

Poetry prompts will be provided during the session and there will be time to write your own poems. Participants receive notes with a list of writing resources and recommended reading.

Workshop: Anatomy of a Poem

Facilitator: Indrani Perera

Time: 10.00 – 11.30am AEST

Date: Friday 17th November 2023

Venue: Online

Get out of your head and creep into the cracks with a workshop that explores the spaces in between. Bring your child-like self, a sense of adventure and a willingness to play. Through movement, sound and drawing you’ll discover how to write poems that move beyond the page.

As a tool to tap into those spaces between our thoughts, this workshop will also explore different ways of using pen and paper. Bring along any art supplies that feel inspiring (coloured pencils, textas, watercolour paints, pastels) as well as journals, sheets of blank paper etc. It’s an excuse to go wild in the stationery section!

Workshop: Beyond Words: A Liminal Spaces Workshop

Facilitator: Indrani Perera

Event: Perth Poetry Festival 2023

Organiser: WA Poets Inc

Time: 9.00 – 11.00am AWST

Date: Saturday 16th September 2023

Venue: Centre for Stories. 100 Aberdeen St, Northbridge, WA

Find the joy in writing and learn to play with your words in this workshop packed with fun and games.

Suitable for all ages but it’s especially great for primary school students and adults looking to lighten up a little.

Workshop: Word Play

Facilitator: Indrani Perera

Time: 10.30 am – 12.30 pm

Date: Tuesday 21st March 2023

Venue: Harkaway, Victoria

‘The workshop was a combination of interactive games and activities that kept even adults motivated to participate! We all had a really great experience and I would highly recommend it! I am looking forward to repeat the workshop again in future.’

Victoria Konash

Dressmaker, Fashion Designer & Parent

You’ve written a book. Yay you! Now what? This workshop will show you how to promote your poetry online and in person so that people will learn about you and want to buy your work.

You’ll learn how to create an online presence, how to find a writing community and how to build your reputation and get your work known by fellow poets. The workshop will also touch on branding and creating promotional materials. Promoting Your Poetry is aimed at poets but the content applies to all writers seeking to promote themselves.

Workshop: Promote Your Poetry

Facilitator: Indrani Perera

Event: Melbourne Spoken Word Festival Online

Time: 2.00 pm AEST

Date: Saturday 1 August 2020

Venue: Online

Book one of the above workshops for your organisation or group, or enquire about mentoring services, via email to Indrani with ‘Poetry Workshop’ in the subject line.

Don’t see what you’re looking for? Send an email to Indrani and she can design a workshop for you and/or your group!
March 18, 2019
Events
Featured Poet

Event: Beit e’Shai Sunday Teahouse Session #1

Time: 5.00 pm – 7.00pm

Date: Sunday 17th November 2024

Venue: Beit e’Shai Pop-up Teahouse & Gallery, 372 high Street, Preston, Victoria 3072

Cost: Free for Aboriginal friends and community; sliding scale tickets + tea on arrival

BOOK NOW!

Open Mic

Event: Radio Laria

Time: 7.30 – 9.45 pm

Date: Wednesday 6th November 2024

Venue: O pen Studio, 204 High Street, Northcote, 3070

Cost: $5 – $10

Beyond the Page Poetry Workshop with Indrani Perera

Do you find it hard to put your feelings into words? Are you struggling to find ideas? Has the muse left you and inspiration fled? Are you stuck in a rut with your writing — revisiting the same metaphors and line breaks again and again?

It’s time to neurohack your writing and get out of your poetry rut!

In this two hour workshop with Indrani Perera, author of pas de deux and editor of the Pocketry Almanack, you’ll learn how to get out of your head and creep into the cracks by exploring the spaces in between. Through exercises and writing prompts you will:
- use movement and drawing as part of your writing practice and to access different parts of the brain.
- write poems from different points of view, including insects and inanimate objects.
- write using senses other than sight — especially those of sound and hearing.
Bring your child-like self, a sense of adventure and a willingness to play!

Proudly part of Sonic Poetry Festival 2024: poetry that sounds like all of us.

Event: Sonic Poetry Festival 2024

Time: 10.30.00am – 12.30pm AEST

Date: Saturday 7th September 2024

Venue: Activity Room 2, Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre

Address: 251 Faraday Street, Carlton VIC 3053

Cost: $30

BOOK NOW!

Featured Poet

Event: Perc.u.lations

Time: 3.00 pm

Date: Saturday 10th August 2024

Venue: Kafé on Hemmings, 86 Hemmings Street Dandenong, Victoria

Cost: pay as you feel

Open Mic

Event: Cherry Tree Poets

Time: 1.30 pm

Date: Saturday 6th July 2024

Venue: Cherry Tree Hotel, 53 Balmain street, Cremorne, Vic 3121

Cost: free

Open Mic

Event: Radio Laria

Time: 7.30 – 9.45 pm

Date: Wednesday 3rd July 2024

Venue: O pen Studio, 204 High Street, Northcote, 3070

Cost: $5 – $10

Open Mic

Event: Cherry Tree Poets

Time: 1.30 pm

Date: Saturday 29th June 2024

Venue: Cherry Tree Hotel, 53 Balmain street, Cremorne, Vic 3121

Cost: free

Open Mic

Event: LittleFoot & Co

Time: 7.30 pm

Date: Thursday 16th May 2024

Venue: Bunjil Place, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren, 3805

Cost: free

Featured Poet

Event: Festival Finale, Perth Poetry Festival 2023

Organiser: WA Poets Inc

Time: 6.30 pm

Date: Sunday 17th September 2023

Venue: Switch Theatre, 555 Wellington Street, Perth, 6000

Cost: $15 conc, $20 full

Featured Poet

Event: Crossing Borders – A Multicultural Soirée, Perth Poetry Festival 2023

Organiser: WA Poets Inc

Time: 7.00 – 8.00 pm

Date: Saturday 16th September 2023

Venue: Planet Royale, 12 Lake Street, Northbridge, 6003

Cost: $15 conc, $20 full

Featured Poet

Event: Perth Poetry Club

Time: 2.00 – 4.00 pm

Date: Saturday 16th September 2023

Venue: Moon Cafe, 2/323 William Street, Northbridge, 6003

Cost: by donation

Beyond the Page – A Liminal Spaces Workshop with Indrani Perera

Get out of your head and creep into the cracks with a workshop that explores the spaces in between. Bring your child-like self, a sense of adventure and a willingness to play. Through movement, sound and drawing you’ll discover how to write poems that move beyond the page.

As a tool to tap into those spaces between our thoughts, this workshop will also explore different ways of using pen and paper. Bring along any art supplies that feel inspiring (coloured pencils, textas, watercolour paints, pastels) as well as journals, sheets of blank paper etc. It’s an excuse to go wild in the stationery section!

Event: Perth Poetry Festival 2023

Organiser: WA Poets Inc

Time: 9.00 – 11.00am AWST

Date: Saturday 16th September 2023

Venue: Centre for Stories. 100 Aberdeen St, Northbridge, WA

Cost: $25-35

Featured Poet

Event: Festival Gala, Perth Poetry Festival 2023

Organiser: WA Poets Inc

Time: 7.00 pm

Date: Thursday 14th September 2023

Venue: Planet Royale, 12 Lake Street, Northbridge, 6003

Cost: $25 conc, $30 full

Open Mic

Event: LittleFoot & Co

Time: 7.30 pm

Date: Tuesday 20th June 2023

Venue: Bunjil Place, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren, 3805

Cost: free

Open Mic

Event: LittleFoot & Co

Time: 7.30 pm

Date: Thursday 25th May 2023

Venue: Bunjil Place, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren, 3805

Cost: free

Workshop

Event: Word Play

Time: 10.30 am – 12.00 pm

Date: Tuesday 21st March 2023

Venue: Harkaway, Victoria

Cost: $15 per student

Anthology Launch

Event: Shoot the Breeze anthology at Radio Laria

Time: 7.00 – 9.30 pm

Date: Wednesday 1st Feburary 2023

Venue: O pen Studio,204 High Street, Northcote, 3070

Cost: 0 – $15

Open Mic

Event: Mothertongue

Time: 7.30 pm

Date: Friday 9th September 2022

Venue: The Crucible, Fairfield Uniting Church, Fairfield

Cost: 0 – $15

Featured Poet

Event: Girls On Key Featuring Indrani Perera and Helen Bradwell

Time: 7.00 – 9.30 pm

Date: Wednesday 7th July 2021

Venue: Open Studio, 204 High Street, Northcote, 3070

Cost: $11.50 / $9.00 (only 30 available)

Buy Tickets

Open Mic

Event: P-Word Sessions

Time: 4.00 pm

Date: Sunday 4th July 2021

Venue: Mötely Bauhaus, 102 Scotchmer Street, Fitzroy North

Cost: free (donation to support the Motley Bauhaus’s relocation)

Open Mic

Event: P-Word Sessions

Time: 4.00 pm

Date: Sunday 2nd May 2021

Venue: Mötely Bauhaus, 102 Scotchmer Street, Fitzroy North

Cost: $5 cover charge

Open Mic

Event: Littlefoot & Company

Time: 7.45 pm

Date: Thursday 22nd April 2021

Venue: Bunjil Place Studio, Narre Warren

Cost: Free

Book Launch

Book: pas de deux by Indrani Perera

Time: 7.00 pm

Date: Tuesday 30th March 2021

Venue: Zoom

Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6014563938

RSVP: hello@indraniperera.com by 23 March 2021

Open Mic

Event: Littlefoot & Company

Time: 7.45 pm

Date: Thursday 11th March 2021

Venue: Bunjil Place Studio, Narre Warren

Cost: Free

Open Mic

Event: P-Word Sessions

Time: 4.00 pm

Date: Sunday 7th February 2021

Venue: Mötely Bauhaus, 102 Scotchmer Street, Fitzroy North

Cost: $5 cover charge

Promoting Your Poetry Workshop

You’ve written a book. Yay you! Now what? This workshop will show you how to promote your poetry online and in person so that people will learn about you and want to buy your work.

You’ll learn how to create an online presence, how to find a writing community and how to build your reputation and get your work known by fellow poets. The workshop will also touch on branding and creating promotional materials. Promoting Your Poetry is aimed at poets but the content applies to all writers seeking to promote themselves.

Facilitator: Indrani Perera

Organiser: Melbourne Spoken Word Festival Online

Time: 2.00pm AEST

Date: Saturday 1st August 2020

Venue: Online

Cost: $20

Podcast

Event: Words Out Loud – Melbourne Spoken Word Festival Online Edition

Organiser: Words Out Loud Ballarat

Date: from 30 July 2020

Venue: Online

Cost: Free

Poetry Slam

Event: Get It Out There Poetry Slam

Organiser: Art Is… Festival

Time: 7.00 – 9.00 pm

Date: Thursday 25th June 2020

Venue: Online

Cost: Free

Featured Poet

Event: Fresh Voices for Melbourne Spoken Word Poetry Festival

Time: 6.30 – 9.30 pm

Date: Wednesday 17th July 2019

Venue: Bargoonga Nganjin, 182-186 St Georges Road, Fitzroy North

Cost: free
August 31, 2018
Events
Featured Poet

Event: Beit e’Shai Sunday Teahouse Session #1

Time: 5.00 pm – 7.00pm

Date: Sunday 17th November 2024

Venue: Beit e’Shai Pop-up Teahouse & Gallery, 372 high Street, Preston, Victoria 3072

Cost: Free for Aboriginal friends and community; sliding scale tickets + tea on arrival

BOOK NOW!

Open Mic

Event: Radio Laria

Time: 7.30 – 9.45 pm

Date: Wednesday 6th November 2024

Venue: O pen Studio, 204 High Street, Northcote, 3070

Cost: $5 – $10

Beyond the Page Poetry Workshop with Indrani Perera

Do you find it hard to put your feelings into words? Are you struggling to find ideas? Has the muse left you and inspiration fled? Are you stuck in a rut with your writing — revisiting the same metaphors and line breaks again and again?

It’s time to neurohack your writing and get out of your poetry rut!

In this two hour workshop with Indrani Perera, author of pas de deux and editor of the Pocketry Almanack, you’ll learn how to get out of your head and creep into the cracks by exploring the spaces in between. Through exercises and writing prompts you will:
- use movement and drawing as part of your writing practice and to access different parts of the brain.
- write poems from different points of view, including insects and inanimate objects.
- write using senses other than sight — especially those of sound and hearing.
Bring your child-like self, a sense of adventure and a willingness to play!

Proudly part of Sonic Poetry Festival 2024: poetry that sounds like all of us.

Event: Sonic Poetry Festival 2024

Time: 10.30.00am – 12.30pm AEST

Date: Saturday 7th September 2024

Venue: Activity Room 2, Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre

Address: 251 Faraday Street, Carlton VIC 3053

Cost: $30

BOOK NOW!

Featured Poet

Event: Perc.u.lations

Time: 3.00 pm

Date: Saturday 10th August 2024

Venue: Kafé on Hemmings, 86 Hemmings Street Dandenong, Victoria

Cost: pay as you feel

Open Mic

Event: Cherry Tree Poets

Time: 1.30 pm

Date: Saturday 6th July 2024

Venue: Cherry Tree Hotel, 53 Balmain street, Cremorne, Vic 3121

Cost: free

Open Mic

Event: Radio Laria

Time: 7.30 – 9.45 pm

Date: Wednesday 3rd July 2024

Venue: O pen Studio, 204 High Street, Northcote, 3070

Cost: $5 – $10

Open Mic

Event: Cherry Tree Poets

Time: 1.30 pm

Date: Saturday 29th June 2024

Venue: Cherry Tree Hotel, 53 Balmain street, Cremorne, Vic 3121

Cost: free

Open Mic

Event: LittleFoot & Co

Time: 7.30 pm

Date: Thursday 16th May 2024

Venue: Bunjil Place, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren, 3805

Cost: free

Featured Poet

Event: Festival Finale, Perth Poetry Festival 2023

Organiser: WA Poets Inc

Time: 6.30 pm

Date: Sunday 17th September 2023

Venue: Switch Theatre, 555 Wellington Street, Perth, 6000

Cost: $15 conc, $20 full

Featured Poet

Event: Crossing Borders – A Multicultural Soirée, Perth Poetry Festival 2023

Organiser: WA Poets Inc

Time: 7.00 – 8.00 pm

Date: Saturday 16th September 2023

Venue: Planet Royale, 12 Lake Street, Northbridge, 6003

Cost: $15 conc, $20 full

Featured Poet

Event: Perth Poetry Club

Time: 2.00 – 4.00 pm

Date: Saturday 16th September 2023

Venue: Moon Cafe, 2/323 William Street, Northbridge, 6003

Cost: by donation

Beyond the Page – A Liminal Spaces Workshop with Indrani Perera

Get out of your head and creep into the cracks with a workshop that explores the spaces in between. Bring your child-like self, a sense of adventure and a willingness to play. Through movement, sound and drawing you’ll discover how to write poems that move beyond the page.

As a tool to tap into those spaces between our thoughts, this workshop will also explore different ways of using pen and paper. Bring along any art supplies that feel inspiring (coloured pencils, textas, watercolour paints, pastels) as well as journals, sheets of blank paper etc. It’s an excuse to go wild in the stationery section!

Event: Perth Poetry Festival 2023

Organiser: WA Poets Inc

Time: 9.00 – 11.00am AWST

Date: Saturday 16th September 2023

Venue: Centre for Stories. 100 Aberdeen St, Northbridge, WA

Cost: $25-35

Featured Poet

Event: Festival Gala, Perth Poetry Festival 2023

Organiser: WA Poets Inc

Time: 7.00 pm

Date: Thursday 14th September 2023

Venue: Planet Royale, 12 Lake Street, Northbridge, 6003

Cost: $25 conc, $30 full

Open Mic

Event: LittleFoot & Co

Time: 7.30 pm

Date: Tuesday 20th June 2023

Venue: Bunjil Place, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren, 3805

Cost: free

Open Mic

Event: LittleFoot & Co

Time: 7.30 pm

Date: Thursday 25th May 2023

Venue: Bunjil Place, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren, 3805

Cost: free

Workshop

Event: Word Play

Time: 10.30 am – 12.00 pm

Date: Tuesday 21st March 2023

Venue: Harkaway, Victoria

Cost: $15 per student

Anthology Launch

Event: Shoot the Breeze anthology at Radio Laria

Time: 7.00 – 9.30 pm

Date: Wednesday 1st Feburary 2023

Venue: O pen Studio,204 High Street, Northcote, 3070

Cost: 0 – $15

Open Mic

Event: Mothertongue

Time: 7.30 pm

Date: Friday 9th September 2022

Venue: The Crucible, Fairfield Uniting Church, Fairfield

Cost: 0 – $15

Featured Poet

Event: Girls On Key Featuring Indrani Perera and Helen Bradwell

Time: 7.00 – 9.30 pm

Date: Wednesday 7th July 2021

Venue: Open Studio, 204 High Street, Northcote, 3070

Cost: $11.50 / $9.00 (only 30 available)

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Open Mic

Event: P-Word Sessions

Time: 4.00 pm

Date: Sunday 4th July 2021

Venue: Mötely Bauhaus, 102 Scotchmer Street, Fitzroy North

Cost: free (donation to support the Motley Bauhaus’s relocation)

Open Mic

Event: P-Word Sessions

Time: 4.00 pm

Date: Sunday 2nd May 2021

Venue: Mötely Bauhaus, 102 Scotchmer Street, Fitzroy North

Cost: $5 cover charge

Open Mic

Event: Littlefoot & Company

Time: 7.45 pm

Date: Thursday 22nd April 2021

Venue: Bunjil Place Studio, Narre Warren

Cost: Free

Book Launch

Book: pas de deux by Indrani Perera

Time: 7.00 pm

Date: Tuesday 30th March 2021

Venue: Zoom

Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6014563938

RSVP: hello@indraniperera.com by 23 March 2021

Open Mic

Event: Littlefoot & Company

Time: 7.45 pm

Date: Thursday 11th March 2021

Venue: Bunjil Place Studio, Narre Warren

Cost: Free

Open Mic

Event: P-Word Sessions

Time: 4.00 pm

Date: Sunday 7th February 2021

Venue: Mötely Bauhaus, 102 Scotchmer Street, Fitzroy North

Cost: $5 cover charge

Promoting Your Poetry Workshop

You’ve written a book. Yay you! Now what? This workshop will show you how to promote your poetry online and in person so that people will learn about you and want to buy your work.

You’ll learn how to create an online presence, how to find a writing community and how to build your reputation and get your work known by fellow poets. The workshop will also touch on branding and creating promotional materials. Promoting Your Poetry is aimed at poets but the content applies to all writers seeking to promote themselves.

Facilitator: Indrani Perera

Organiser: Melbourne Spoken Word Festival Online

Time: 2.00pm AEST

Date: Saturday 1st August 2020

Venue: Online

Cost: $20

Podcast

Event: Words Out Loud – Melbourne Spoken Word Festival Online Edition

Organiser: Words Out Loud Ballarat

Date: from 30 July 2020

Venue: Online

Cost: Free

Poetry Slam

Event: Get It Out There Poetry Slam

Organiser: Art Is… Festival

Time: 7.00 – 9.00 pm

Date: Thursday 25th June 2020

Venue: Online

Cost: Free

Featured Poet

Event: Fresh Voices for Melbourne Spoken Word Poetry Festival

Time: 6.30 – 9.30 pm

Date: Wednesday 17th July 2019

Venue: Bargoonga Nganjin, 182-186 St Georges Road, Fitzroy North

Cost: free
August 31, 2018