Tasmanian Poetry Festival
The Tasmanian Poetry Festival is an annual celebration of poetry, founded by Tim Thorne in 1985. The event happens overa period of 3 days in October each year, and various lead up events. It features local and interstate guest poets, workshops, open mic sessions, and events like the Launceston Poetry Cup. The festival aims to foster community interest in poetry, support poets of all experience levels, and expose audiences to diverse poetic styles and international voices.
Astropoetica
Saturday 20 September 2025
✨ Astropoetica — Poetry Under the Stars ✨
Step into the cosmos at Launceston Planetarium for an unforgettable night where poetry and the universe collide. Astropoetica weaves together centuries of cosmic verse, read in one voice and set to music, beneath a canopy of stars.
An ethereal, immersive experience for the senses — but seats are limited to just 42. Don’t miss your chance to journey through the heavens in words and sound.
Tickets are $25, no concessions are available for this event. Limit of 2 tickets per purchaser.
Launceston Planetarium - QVMag Museum
Workshop: Constraint Based Writing, Alex McKeown
Thursday 9 October 2025
In this workshop we will place constraints on our writing to spark creativity, unlocking new ideas by turning our writing into a puzzle to be solved. Many artists have found that the more barriers they face, the more creative and interesting their solutions become, so let's put up our own barriers, and see how we get around them.
A constraint can be used to form an entire work, from a little haiku to a long novel, or used as a temporary trick to fire up our inspiration and get us writing freely.
This will be a practical workshop where we create new works on the fly. We will put aside our critical and editing minds to revel in whatever surprises we manage to produce
Launceston Library - High Street Centre
Workshop: Writing an interior monologue. Kim Nielsen-Creeley
Thursday 9 October 2025
In this workshop Kim Nielsen-Creeley will lead a group of up to 14 participants in sharing and reading examples of poetry developed through an interior monologue, a narrative style of writing. The group will discuss the differences between interior monologue and stream of consciousness, then engage in some writing exercises to work towards and/or create a poem.
Internal monologues can be used to create work that writes the interior world of the poet or the imagined interior world of another. A character’s thoughts are represented, the reader ‘listens in’. This style can be created in the first or third person.
Kim Nielsen-Creeley was born in Queenstown, a mining town in Lutruwita/Tasmania. Her poems have a keen sense of place, responding to landscape and history. Kim was recently long listed for the Tim Thorne Poetry Prize 2025 where she was highly commended by the judges.
Launceston Library - High Street Centre
Workshop: Taking your Words for a Walk, Kit Kelen
Friday 10 October 2025
Poetry is both speech and written word. The distinction has been divisive in recent times, but the best poetry on paper does have a pulse and makes use of the breath. Likewise the best spoken word will fare beautifully on paper, where the head has more time to take it in. Poetry works when it takes words where they haven’t been, somewhere interesting and unexpected.
One of Kit’s several modes of gathering materials for the making of poems is writing while walking. Observations collected on the way help to situate your work in a here and now. Writing while walking is also an infallible cure for so-called writer’s block because there is always something to observe, through your senses! The peripatetic mode brings poetry production out of the closet and into the public domain, In this workshop, we will go somewhere on foot to gather lines or ideas, and then return to base, to share them, and to see if there aren’t some poems to be made out of the materials we’ve found.
Launceston Library
Workshop: Plan to be Published, Les Wicks
Friday 10 October 2025
You’ve worked hard, those poems of yours deserve a wider audience. This workshop will give you a down to earth set of strategies for polishing your work and getting it published. There will be a handout detailing a range of poetry outlets. Everyone who so wishes will have their poems published in an established internet magazine. Friendly, energetic, practical.
Les Wicks has been published across 39 countries in 17 languages. His 15th book of poetry is Time Taken – New & Selected (Puncher & Wattmann, 2022). Well-known as both an editor & workshop facilitator. He can be found at leswicks.tripod.com/lw.htm
Launceston Library
Tasmanian Poetry Festival: 2025 FESTIVAL PASS
Friday 10 October 2025
Join Us for the 41st Tasmanian Poetry Festival!
Now entering its fifth decade, the Tasmanian Poetry Festival returns for four vibrant days celebrating the power of words and performance. From Friday 10 October, enjoy an exciting line-up of events showcasing a rich diversity of poetic voices, alongside musical performances to stir the senses.
The festivities begin with our official Festival Launch at Sporties Lounge Bar, where you can meet this year’s guest poets over drinks and nibbles. The evening continues with our Friday Feature Event, setting the tone for a jam-packed weekend.
The rest of the festival unfolds at the Queen Victoria Museum (2 Invermay Rd, Launceston), featuring performances, readings, and the much-loved Launceston Poetry Cup—a true highlight of the poetry calendar.
Take advantage of a great-value festival pass, offering up to 15% off the cost of individually priced events.
Come celebrate 41 years of poetic excellence—we can't wait to see you there!
Queen Victoria Museum
TPF2025 FESTIVAL LAUNCH and FRIDAY NIGHT FEATURE
Friday 10 October 2025
🎉 Join Us for the Opening of the Tasmanian Poetry Festival! 🎉
Now entering its fifth decade!
Come and celebrate with hosts Young Dawkins and festival patron Cameron Hindrum as we kick off the 2025 Tasmanian Poetry Festival.
🕕 From 6:00pm – Enjoy nibbles and mingle with our guest poets in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
🕖 At 7:00pm – Our Friday Night Feature begins!
✨ Young Dawkins will introduce the Tim Thorne Poetry Prize, followed by readings from:
Pam Schindler (2025 Winner)
Kim Nielsen-Creeley (Highly Commended)
✨ Cameron Hindrum reflects on poetry festivals past and introduces this year’s featured poets, who will offer a sneak peek of what's to come with a few short readings.
🎤 Q&A Session – Get to know the 2025 poets! Prepare your stickiest questions and dive into the minds behind the verse.
Expect an evening of (civilised) ferocity, fun with words, and poetic inspiration.
Sporties Hotel
TPF 2025 SATURDAY OCT 11 - MORNING
Saturday 11 October 2025
We kick off the day with performances by two of our featured poets, Les Wicks and Liz Winfield, followed by Kim Nielsen-Creeley and the ever-enigmatic Tasmanian Shakespeare Company, who will take us on a lively romp through Shakespeare’s poetry—complete with readings and songs—leading us right up to lunchtime.
Lunchtime entertainment gets moving—literally—thanks to the Launceston Tramway Museum! Hop aboard the Slam Tram, a ride through the Invermay precinct filled with humour and high-energy spoken word from local slam poets. It’s a hop-on, hop-off poetry party on rails—and yes, you’re welcome to join in!
QV Mag Museum Inveresk
TPF 2025 SATURDAY PASS to two "moving" sessions 11th October
Saturday 11 October 2025
We kick off the day with performances by two of our featured poets, Les Wicks and Liz Winfield, followed by Kim Nielsen-Creeley and the ever-enigmatic Tasmanian Shakespeare Company, who will take us on a lively romp through Shakespeare’s poetry—complete with readings and songs—leading us right up to lunchtime.
Lunchtime entertainment gets moving—literally—thanks to the Launceston Tramway Museum! Hop aboard the Slam Tram, a ride through the Invermay precinct filled with humour and high-energy spoken word from local slam poets. It’s a hop-on, hop-off poetry party on rails—and yes, you’re welcome to join in!
The afternoon features readings from three more of our incredible featured poets: Kit Kelen, Alex McKeown, and Erin Coull, along with a showcase of outstanding local talent in our Spotlight Poets segment—including some recent poetry slam finalists you won’t want to miss.
QV Mag Museum Inveresk
TPF 2025 SATURDAY OCT 11 - AFTERNOON
Saturday 11 October 2025
Lunchtime entertainment gets moving—literally—thanks to the Launceston Tramway Museum! Hop aboard the Slam Tram, a ride through the Invermay precinct filled with humour and high-energy spoken word from local slam poets. It’s a hop-on, hop-off poetry party on rails—and yes, you’re welcome to join in!
The afternoon features readings from three more of our incredible featured poets: Kit Kelen, Alex McKeown, and Erin Coull, along with a showcase of outstanding local talent in our Spotlight Poets segment—including some recent poetry slam finalists you won’t want to miss.
QV Mag Museum Inveresk
TPF 2025 The LAUNCESTON POETRY CUP - now in its 5th decade!
Saturday 11 October 2025
Step up to the mic and test your timing in the fast-paced battle for the Poetry Cup! Each poet has just one minute or less to wow the crowd with their words. When the hooter sounds—stop reading or risk disqualification!
The winner isn’t chosen by judges, but by the loudest audience reaction—so bring your energy and make some noise! Clap, cheer, stomp, and shout for your favourite poet as they compete for the glory (and bragging rights) of taking home the coveted Poetry Cup.
St John Craft Beer Bar
TPF 2025 SUNDAY OCT 12 - MORNING
Sunday 12 October 2025
The day begins with an Open Mic session hosted by acclaimed Launceston poet Kim Nielsen-Creeley, whose work was recently highly commended in Tasmania’s top poetry honour, the 2025 Tim Thorne Poetry Prize.
Next up is the presentation of the Andrew Hardy Youth Poetry Prize, where Erin Coull, featured poets and past Andrew Hardy winner presents the award, and we hear about the origions of the prize, readings of a Andrew Hardy poem, as well as the winning poems for 2025 and a presentation of awards to the young people who have won. Barry Hardy, Andrew Hardy's father will be in attendance.
QV Mag Museum Inveresk
TPF 2025 SUNDAY OCT 12
Sunday 12 October 2025
The day begins with an Open Mic session hosted by acclaimed Launceston poet Kim Nielsen-Creeley, whose work was recently highly commended in Tasmania’s top poetry honour, the 2025 Tim Thorne Poetry Prize.
Next up is the presentation of the Andrew Hardy Youth Poetry Prize, celebrating the voices of emerging young Tasmanian poets, followed by the lively "Leave 'Em Laughing" Poets Panel — a Q&A guaranteed to entertain and inspire.
In the afternoon, we explore humour in poetry with the featured poets "Leave 'me laughing" Q & A Panel.
After that we welcome City Park Radio as they broadcast the festival live.
All of our featured poets will read and be interviewed by City Park Radio.
Tune in or join us in person for readings from all of our featured poets, in-depth interviews, and the exciting draw of our Poetry Fest Raffle!
QV Mag Museum Inveresk
TPF 2025 SUNDAY OCT 12 - AFTERNOON
Sunday 12 October 2025
In the afternoon, we explore humour in poetry with the featured poets "Leave 'em laughing" Q & A Panel.
After that we welcome City Park Radio as they broadcast the festival live.
All of our featured poets will read and be interviewed by City Park Radio.
Tune in or join us in person for readings from all of our featured poets, in-depth interviews, and the exciting draw of our Poetry Fest Raffle!
QV Mag Museum Inveresk
TPF 2024 SUNDAY DAY PASS to two great events on 13th October
Sunday 13 October 2024
On the final day of the Tasmanian Poetry Festival, we have two sessions - morning and afternoon.
The morning sees the groovy vibes of Steve Brien on jazz guitar accompanying Ross Donlon reading - a guest poet for this year. Included in the morning session, are guest poet readings, and after the lunch break we also feature more guest poets with a Q and A at the end.
The raffle will be drawn as the afternoon ends.
Hotel Grand Chancellor
TPF 2024 The LAUNCESTON POETRY CUP - now in its 40th year.
Saturday 12 October 2024
Join in the fun with reading your poem in one minute or under to take home the prized Poetry Cup. Winner is judged by the loudest audience response, so get those hands clapping, tables thumping, voices yelling, and boots stomping to bring home the person who will take home the coveted Poetry Cup. Poet must stop reading at 1 minute when the hooter goes, or they will be disqualified.
Hotel Grand Chancellor
TPF 2024 SATURDAY DAY PASS - Three great events on 12th Oct.
Saturday 12 October 2024
SATURDAY DAY PASS - has entry to all three events on Saturday 12th October. = Morning session which will include readings from our guest poets and a themed open mic this year "Landscapes of lutruwita/Tasmania".
Afternoon session includes the Andrew Hardy Youth Poetry Award, and guest poets with a Q and A to round off the afternoon.
Saturday night sees the iconic Launceston Poetry Cup - now in its 40th year. Who will take home the prize this year? Winner is judged by the loudest audience response, but poems must be read in one minute or under, or the poet is disqualified.
Hotel Grand Chancellor
TPF 2024 FESTIVAL PASS - (excludes workshops)
Friday 11 October 2024
Come and join us for our celebratory 40th year as a continuously running Festival dedicated to poetry, with a great 4 days of entertainment. Showcasing a diverse range of poets/poetry and some musical highlights to delight the senses. We kick off with Lucie Thorne's book launch (Thursday the 10th October at Sporties Lounge Bar) dedicated to her late father Tim - the founder of the Tasmanian Poetry Festival in 1985. The rest of the Festival will be held at The Hotel Grand Chancellor, 29 Cameron St. Launceston. On Friday night come along and meet our guest poets and enjoy drinks and nibbles then our Friday Feature event after that. Followed by a jam packed weekend of poets and poetry including the iconic Launceston Poetry Cup. A great discounted package price for the whole event at up to 20% off indivually priced events. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Hotel Grand Chancellor
TPF2024 FESTIVAL LAUNCH and FRIDAY NIGHT FEATURE
Friday 11 October 2024
Join the Tasmanian Poetry Festival for its 40th year launch party. Meet, greet and mingle with all our guest poets for this year with drinks and nibbles supplied. From 6 pm - 7 pm.
Ater that we have "Friday Night Feature" of music by Rob Van der Elst and guest performance poets, Sarah Lock from N.S.W., Thomas Forest Bailey and Moran Wiesel - both from Tasmania.
Hotel Grand Chancellor
TPF 2024 POETRY W/SHOP-SARAH LOCK"Fury as a Force for Good"
Friday 11 October 2024
Join award winning slam poet Sarah Lock for "Fury as a Force for Good," an invigorating poetry writing and performance workshop designed to channel passionate emotions into powerful art. In this dynamic session, participants will explore how to harness the raw energy of anger and frustration to craft compelling poetry. Through fun guided exercises, thought provoking group discussions, and energetic performance practice, you'll learn to transform intense feelings into meaningful verses that inspire change and resonate with audiences. Whether you're an experienced poet or new to the craft, this workshop offers a supportive space to refine your voice and turn your fury into a force for good.
Launceston Library (upstairs)
TPF 2024 "ECOPOETICA" - POETRY WORKSHOP with THOMAS BAILEY
Friday 11 October 2024
Thomas Bailey brings you "ECOPOETICA" - exploring our connections with nature through poetry.
Join our Festival Laureate and award winning performance poet Thomas Forest Bailey for this workshop where we will delve into the sub-genre known as Ecopoetry and write our own poems that merge elements of Deep Ecology with the poetic form.
Launceston Library (upstairs)
TIM THORNE'S GREATEST HITS BOOK LAUNCH FREE EVENT BY TPF2024
Thursday 10 October 2024
Join us on Thursday 10th October at our first main festival TPF event for 2024. To be held at The Lounge, Sporties Hotel, 252 Charles Street, Launceston. Lucie Thorne, family and friends present Tim Thorne's "GREATEST HITS" book launch. This is a FREE EVENT hosted by the Tasmanian Poetry Festival in its 40th continuous year to honour its founder the late and great Tim Thorne. Puncher and Wattman are the publishers, and this is what they say:-
"Tim Thorne [1944-2021] was a leading contemporary Australian poet. Author of sixteen collections of poetry, founder of the Tasmanian Poetry Festival and Cornford Press, Tim was a brilliant and generous polymath, mentor, activist and commentator, who has left a profound legacy and an extraordinary body of work. "
Sporties Hotel - The Lounge
TPF2024 POETRY WORKSHOP with ROBYN ROWLAND
Thursday 10 October 2024
"Silence, its Dialects, and the Passion that Forms Them"
Music is enhanced by its necessary partner, silence. So too, poetry needs space to breathe. Writing comes out of silence and returns to it, leaving a trace. In living, silence is both the shadow and the light. Meditation and prayer enter silence and carry it. In relationships, silence can be the threat of rejection; represent the loneliness of despair. Is our voice carried into absence? Invisibility? Secret-keeping arises too from silence and families are involved in shrouding truth. Deafness brings silence but what are the differences between this silence and peace?
This workshop will discuss the many shapes of silence.
Each workshop involves a talk and discussion of poem and of images supplied, followed by a guided reflective moment, followed by writing towards the topic and feedback for each participant. Each participant is given notes to keep which relate to the theme as well as copies of Robyn’s and other works.
Launceston Library High Street building
" A POETIC SUNDAY AFTERNOON" with poetry + music by TPF 2024
Sunday 18 August 2024
Join the T.P.F. 2024 for a special pre-festival event on 18th August at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Launceston. With special guest poets and performers - Ross Donlon from Castlemaine, Victoria, Louise Oxley from Hobart and Bruce Penn and Rob Van der Elst from the Tamar Valley region. Rob will give us music with which to be thrilled and entertained, and the guest poets will read and perform works to be inspired by.
We also have some local identities - Michelle O'Byrne, Cecily Rosol and Tim Walker who will be reading some of their favourite poems.
The Grand Chancellor has an intimate relaxing atmosphere and complimentary tea and coffee will be served on arrival, with bar snacks and drinks available to be purchased from the main bar.
No better way to spend a relaxing Sunday afternoon with laid back poetic and musical vibes.
Hotel Grand Chancellor
KORALY DIMITRIADIS POETRY BOOK LAUNCH with open mic
Thursday 29 February 2024
Join the Tasmanian Poetry Festival's first pre-festival event for 2024 with Melbourne poet Koraly Dimitriadis as she launches her new book "She's Not Normal."
To be held upstairs at the Plough Inn in Lauceston, at 6 pm for 6.30 pm start.
Drinks and meals available at the bar.
"Koraly is bestselling Cypriot-Australian poet of the poetry books Love and Fk Poems (also translated into Greek) and Just Give Me The Pills. Her debut short story collection THE MOTHER MUST DIE, is forthcoming with Puncher and Wattmann in 2024. She also makes films and theatre with her poems. In 2019 she was the recipient of the UNESCO City of Literature residency in Krakow for her debut fiction manuscript. Koraly's opinion articles and essays have been published widely across Australia with international publications in The Washington Post, The Guardian and Aljazeera."
The Plough Inn (upstairs .....lift is available)
TPF 2023 SPECIAL EVENT: LIZ LEFROY guest poet from the U.K.
Thursday 16 November 2023
Liz Lefroy - poet of renown from the U.K. is on a tour of Australia and we are delighted to present an evening of her wonderful poetry. Liz has won the first Roy Fisher Prize, an award for new work in poetry which is endowed by Carol Ann Duffy. She was highly commended in the Bridport Poetry Prize 2015. She won first prize in the Café Writers Competition 2016, and was Runner Up in the Wigtown Festival Competition 2017, and third in the WOLF Competition 2019. Liz founded Shrewsbury Poetry in 2012: a monthly event in which local and national poets perform their work. This outgrew its venue in 2014 and is now at PetitGlou, Shrewsbury Market, on the first Thursday of every month. Our Australian poet Ross Donlon (featured at TPF23) is often a reader when he visits the UK.
We are looking forward to hearing Liz who will also be touring with her son Jonty - a composer - and some of her poems will be performed to his music. We also feature local youth poets to open for Liz Lefroy.
Best Western Plus - Ben Lomond Room (upstairs)
DECEPTIONS - PLAY READING at Hadley's Hotel in the Atrium
Saturday 21 October 2023
Written by award winning Tasmanian playwright Stella Kent, Deceptions will be presented at a sumptuous afternoon tea at Hadley’s in the Atrium.
Gwen Harwood, furious that mainland editors refuse to publish her poems because
they dismiss her as a Hobart housewife, resorts to submitting her work under male
pseudonyms. Her publication rate soars. In revenge she submits a poem to the
Bulletin with a wicked hidden acrostic. It is a turning point. Gwen Harwood can no
longer be ignored and goes on to takes her place as one of Australia’s most
significant and beloved poets.
Gwen’s story interweaves with the Orr scandal, one of the first sexual harassment
cases in Australia, which tears apart the University and Tasmania in the 1950s over
Professor Orr’s seduction of a female student.
Directed by veteran director Peter Hammond, recipient of the latest Theatre Council of Tasmania Lifetime Achievement Award, with a cast including Michael Edgar, winner of the very first Lifetime Achievement Award
Hadley's Orient Hotel in the Atrium
"A WINTER'S FEAST" of poetry and music
Thursday 6 July 2023
The Tasmanian Poetry Festival presents a winter's feast of words and music with mulled wine on arrival and hearty sumptuous food. Shrug off the winter chills in an intimate candlelit setting and be warmed with words from multi-award winning performance poet Thomas Bailey, songs from Daniel J Townsend, and Lilly Sideris, which will include some Dylan and Cohen covers as well as original material, and with local poets Angus King, Rebecca Young, and more.....
Invermay Bowls Club
TPF 2022 "LIVE TO AIR poets" with CITY PARK RADIO
Sunday 2 October 2022
Live to Air Broadcast through City Park Radio, featuring all our guest poets for the Festival 2022.
At the Best Western Motel, 3 Earl Street, Launceston.
Best Western Motel
FESTIVAL PASS-TASMANIAN POETRY FESTIVAL SEPT 30-OCT 2, 2022
Friday 30 September 2022
FESTIVAL PASS INCLUDES:-
FRIDAY 30th Sept. 7.30 pm at GRAND CHANCELLOR = FESTIVAL LAUNCH
SATURDAY 1st OCT.
10 am - 2 pm at INVERMAY BOWLS CLUB = SATURDAY SESSION
3 pm- 5.30 pm " " " = NEW VOICES poetry
7 pm - 10.30 pm " " " " = POETRY CUP
SUNDAY 2nd OCT
10 am - 12 pm at BEST WESTERN = GUEST POETS (lunch platters included)
1.15pm - 4 pm " " " = LIVE TO AIR WITH CITY PARK RADIO
GRAND CHANCELLOR HOTEL
"A CELEBRATION OF TASMANIAN WOMEN POETS" - TPF 2022
Sunday 2 October 2022
Presented by Nancy Jean Corbett and Georgie Todman, this is a celebration of Tasmanian women poets with readings from the works of Gwen Harwood and Sarah Day.
Featured also are our Tasmanian guest poets for 2022, Therese Corfiatis, and Anne Kellas
There will be an open mic session also for 30 minutes.
At Best Western Plus, 3 Earl Street, Launceston.
Tickets are $15/12 and includes lunch platters
Best Western Plus
TPF 2022 "THE LAUNCESTON POETRY CUP"
Saturday 1 October 2022
Who will win the coveted Poetry Cup this year?
Get your raunchiest poems out of hiding, and bring your friends and family to get loud and clapping, foot stomping and yelling.
Poems must be read in one minute or under or the hooter will go off and you will be disqualified.
Winner is judged by the loudest audience response.
Tickets are $12/$10. Drinks available at the bar. BYO supper
Invermay Bowls Club
"NEW VOICES in POETRY" by Tasmanian Poetry Festival
Saturday 1 October 2022
Presenting "New Voices" in poetry with afternoon tea provided.
Giving a voice to rising poets on the current circuit.
With special guest poets Thomas Bailey, David Mason, and Therese Corfiatis.
Invermay Bowls Club
"SATURDAY POETS" at TASMANIAN POETRY FESTIVAL
Saturday 1 October 2022
All our guest poets will read/perform at this event to be held at the Invermay Bowls Club.
We will begin at 10 am. Break for lunch at 12 pm - 1 pm and then continue till 2pm.
The "Andrew Hardy Youth Poetry Prize" winners will be announced and presented with their awards at this event.
Light lunches - e.g. toasted sandwiches, can be purchased at the club.
Invermay Bowls Club
TASMANIAN POETRY FESTIVAL 2022 - FESTIVAL LAUNCH
Friday 30 September 2022
Tasmanian Poetry Festival launches on Friday September 30th at 7.30 pm at Hotel Grand Chancellor, 29 Cameron Street, Launceston, Tas.
Attendees will meet and greet the guest poets and listen to them read/perform.
Nibbles will be served.
GUEST POETS ARE:
* David Mason
*Ren Alessandra
*Thomas Bailey
*Anne Kellas
*Daniel J. Townsend
*Therese Corfiatis
*Fleassy Malay
Hotel Grand Chancellor
TPF 2022 POETRY WORKSHOP with REN ALESSANDRA
Friday 30 September 2022
Join us if you’re keen to expand your repertoire with creative access points, crafting exercises and strategies to find something to write about every time. It’s for the writer who might feel stuck in a thematic loop in their practice and is ready to see there is writing in everything, they simply have to know how to find it.
Launceston Library (upstairs)
TPF'22 Poetry Workshop with Anne Kellas "the invisible poem"
Friday 30 September 2022
"When writing poetry, how do we get the balance right between the pull of our own “earthly history” and that of the mystery of the “invisible”? This workshop aims to help find new ways to get closer to, and work with, our own “invisible poems” – the ones that we intended to write, the ones that lie stubbornly beyond the blank page, or that lie dormant in a pile of drafts. "
Launceston Library (upstairs)
"SUNDAY SESSION" at the Tasmanian Poetry Festival
Sunday 28 March 2021
Guest poets and open mic readings in the morning session, including Kristen Lang's book launch at 11.30 am.
Lunch can be purchased from Victoria's Cafe (next to the Pioneer Lobby) from 1 - 2 pm, then we host Live to Air Broadcast through City Park Radio with all guest poets reading.
Ticket price for the whole day:- $12/$10 - but does not include lunch.
Pioneer Lobby at the Albert Hall
"FESTIVAL PASS" for The Tasmanian Poetry Festival in March
Friday 19 March 2021
Tickets now available for a FESTIVAL PASS with a 15% discount off all events. (Moveable Feast event sold separately.)
You get six great poetry packed events for $65 (sold separately = $78) for adult/wage earners
Concession price is: $50 (events sold separately = $60)
The Times They are A-changin’ Tribute Night
Poetry at Phoenix – David Mason and guests
Friday Fun at the Festival with Rachel Berger and guests
Saturday Session with guest poets
The Launceston Poetry Cup
Sunday Session
Various Venues around Launceston
"THE LAUNCESTON POETRY CUP"
Saturday 27 March 2021
The iconic Launceston Poetry Cup - now in its 37th year is on again.
Poems must be read in one minute or under, or the hooter will go, and you will be disqualified.
The winner is judged by the loudest audience response, so bring your friends, your family, and get cheering, foot stomping and yelling to get them over the line.
Before the cup, we are also launching Nancy Corbett's latest book - "The Longest Conversation"
Bar is open and BYO picnic tea. Covid-safe limit is 100 people.
THE WORKERS CLUB
"SATURDAY SESSION" at THE TASMANIAN POETRY FESTIVAL
Saturday 27 March 2021
Join us for readings from our guest poets and open mic session from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
One of our guest poets, Jane Williams will be launching her latest book at 2 pm.
Lunch platters will be served (included in the ticket price.
Due to Covid-safe requirements, we have a 45 person capacity at this event.
Best Western Plus - Ben Lomond Room
"FRIDAY FUN AT THE FESTIVAL" with RACHEL BERGER and guests.
Friday 26 March 2021
RACHEL BERGER is going to wow us with her wit and satire in a fun filled night of poetry. All our guest poets will be reading at this event, on Friday March 26th, at 7.30 pm in the Ben Lomond room at Best Western Motel, 3 Earl Street, Launceston.
Book in early, as numbers are strictly capped at 50, for Covid safe policy.
$15/$10 ticket prices.
N.B. There will be no service of food from the Tram Bar into the Ben Lomond room during this event. 7.30 pm sharp, start time. No late entry.
BEN LOMOND ROOM, at the BEST WESTERN MOTEL
"THREE WONDERFUL POETS"
Monday 22 March 2021
The Tasmanian Poetry Festival presents: a night of wonderful poetry with DAVID MASON - former poet laureate of Colorado, with local legends, TIM SLADE and BRIELLE QUIGLEY, at The Ben Lomond Room, Best Western Hotel, 3 Earl Street, Launceston. Show starts at 7 pm. Bar open and food available from 5.00 pm.
BEN LOMOND ROOM, BEST WESTERN HOTEL
"ARTIST'S PALATE" - meandering feast with art and poetry
Sunday 21 March 2021
The Tasmanian Poetry Festival invites you to come on a journey of diverse art forms and poetry beginning at Interweave Gallery, QVMAG, and moving to three other fabulous destinations. Delicious food, art, ekphrastic poetry, performances at all venues. Not to be missed.
Bus transfer between locations included.
Tickets $40
Venues around Launceston
"THE ARTIST'S PALATE" - a moveable feast of art and poetry
Sunday 21 March 2021
The Tasmanian Poetry Festival presents a moveable feast - celebrating diverse art forms and poetry. Beginning at Interweave at 11 am plus 3 more mystery destinations with art exhibitions, live performances, and ekphrastic poetry. Sumptuous menu at all venues. Bus transfer between locations....Be a part of the journey....
Venues around Launceston city
THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN - a tribute to Dylan and Baez
Friday 19 March 2021
The poets of the 60s - songwriters extraordinaire are being paid tribute to in this concert at the start of the Tasmanian Poetry Festival. Featuring the following Tasmanian talent:-
♫ Lasca Dry
♫ Neil Gibson
♫ Teri Young
♫ Edwina Blush
♫ Kate Case and Daniel Brauchli
♫ Wendy Moles
♫ Kath Ellis
♫ Scott Haigh
♫ Joy Elizabeth
♫ Sheyana
♫ Daniel Townsend
and more!!
To be held at the Workers Club, 66 Elizabeth Street, L'ton.
$15/$10 tix. Bar open, BYO supper plates
THE WORKERS CLUB, LAUNCESTON
"THE LAUNCESTON POETRY CUP" at The Workers Club
Saturday 31 October 2020
“LAUNCESTON POETRY CUP” at The Workers Club, 66 Elizabeth Street, Launceston. 7 pm for sign up. Come and join us for a rollicking night of fun and laughter at the iconic Launceston Poetry Cup, now in its 35th year. Poems must be no longer than 1 minute, or the hooter will go and you will be disqualified. The winner of the coveted silver trophy will be judged by the loudest audience response. So come and get foot stomping, yelling and clapping for your favourite performer.
THE LAUNCESTON WORKERS CLUB (downstairs)
"OUT OF THE ASHES" - POETS BANQUET
Friday 23 October 2020
Tasmanian Poetry Festival & Phoenix Launceston join hands to rise from the Covid-19 ashes to bring you an amazing night of art work & ekphrastic poetry at an Indonesian banquet.
Get creative and discover your inner poet, by writing your own on-the-spot masterpiece, inspired by artwork on display.
Unique food. Quality beer & wine.
Tickets $40 pp includes banquet, guest poets, open mic & celebrating Tasmanian art. Drinks sold separately at the bar. (not included in banquet price)
PHOENIX BAR AND RESTAURANT
"POETS FOR PLANET A" - Online Zoom event
Monday 19 October 2020
The Tasmanian Poetry Festival in conjunction with UTAS brings together live performers and readers via Zoom for a night of poetry for Global Climate Change Week.
To be held at Phoenix Bar and Restaurant from 7 pm AEST. You must log in to Zoom at UTAS: -
For Zoom link click here:- https://utas.zoom.us/j/89352187889
"POETS FOR PLANET A" - readings live in person at Phoenix
Monday 19 October 2020
In conjunction with UTAS for Global Climate Change Week, Tasmanian Poetry Festival presents a night of poetry dedicated to climate change awareness. Poets from Tasmania, interstate and even overseas are invited to read at a live performance or join via Zoom at Phoenix Launceston from 7 pm. Please see separate online event set up for Zoom link.
PHOENIX BAR AND RESTAURANT
"S-P-A-C-E-D-O-U-T SUNDAY ..OPEN MIC POETRY AND SONGS
Sunday 18 October 2020
The Tasmanian Poetry Festival and The Royal Oak present open mic poets and singer/songwriter night @ The Royal Oak in The Oakshed. From 5 pm onwards.
Fish and Chips in a cone served for dinner.
Tickets: $12.00 (includes entry and dinner.)
All poets and singer/songwriters are welcome.
Bookings essential.
Event can seat up to 80 people in accordance with social distancing and Covid-safe requirements.
THE ROYAL OAK HOTEL - THE OAKSHED
LIVE TO AIR BROADCAST with City Park Radio
Sunday 6 October 2019
All of our guest poets will read their work in this live broadcast. There will be a 10 minute interval, and readings and recordings begin promptly at 1.15 p.m. so please be seated by 1 p.m.
Pioneer Lobby @THE ALBERT HALL
"WORDS FROM WOMEN" @ Sawtooth Ari
Sunday 6 October 2019
In conjunction with "October @ Sawtooth" we encourage women poets to read or tell their stories in this open mic session. Any style and genre is welcome. Time limit of strictly 5 minutes per reader.
SAWTOOTH ARI GALLERY
"POETS BREAKFAST"
Sunday 6 October 2019
Any of our guest poets have the opportunity to read again over breakfast if they so choose. And it is also an opportunity for open mic poets to read amongst a convivial atmosphere of croissants and coffee. Open mic readers are strictly limited to 5 minutes per reader.
An a la carte menu will be served (not included in ticket price)
Pioneer Lobby @ THE ALBERT HALL
THE LAUNCESTON POETRY CUP
Saturday 5 October 2019
This is now an "institution" within the Tasmanian Poetry Festival. Poets become highly competitive to win that most coveted of all glittering prizes: The Launceston Poetry Cup. You must read your poem in 1 minute or under, and the winner is determined by the loudest audience response. So bring your friends to stamp, yell and cheer, so your name will be engraved for posterity on that magnificent silver cup.
The Boathouse
"SCHOOL'S OUT"
Saturday 5 October 2019
This session will feature two guest poets, Tug Dumbly and Solli Raphael. We are encouraging students from any school to read their work of any genre in an open mic format between our guest poets' readings. Open mic spots are strictly limited to 5 minutes per reader.
Pioneer Lobby @ THE ALBERT HALL
"SCHOOL'S OUT" - THE TASMANIAN POETRY FESTIVAL
Saturday 5 October 2019
guest poets and open mic mix
Pioneer Lobby @ THE ALBERT HALL
"MORNING MUSINGS" - THE TASMANIAN POETRY FESTIVAL
Saturday 5 October 2019
Throughout the morning in two sessions we have 4 guest poets: Chrys Salt MBE, Carol Easton, Ross Donlon and Gina Mercer. Interspersed with our local poetry community who can register on the day to be included in open mic readings between our invited guests. Open mic is strictly 5 minutes per reader, and we have spots for 12x open mic poets throughout the morning.
Pioneer Lobby @ THE ALBERT HALL
"MARJ FOR BREAKFAST" @ The TASMANIAN POETRY FESTIVAL
Saturday 5 October 2019
Poetry turned into song from Marjorie Bligh the Musical written by Stella Kent and Karlin Love. Directed by Peter Hammond. Be prepared to laugh and cry at the eccentricities of the Devonport housewife who was famous for turning old stockings into tablecloths, and thus way ahead of her time as a recycler.
Pioneer Lobby at THE ALBERT HALL
WEEKEND PASS
Saturday 5 October 2019
A two-day Festival Weekend Pass, for Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th October.
This is great value to take in lots of different events at a discounted rate.
Pioneer Lobby, The Boathouse, and Sawtooth Ari
SLAMDUGGERY AT THE POETRY FESTIVAL
Friday 4 October 2019
A Slam poetry competition at the Tasmanian Poetry Festival - register at 6.30 pm to read from 7 pm onwards. It must be your original work and performed in 2 minutes or under. First, second and third prizes will be awarded.
Dinner boxes can be pre-ordered through Yvonne Gluyas. 0413 321 834
THE OAKSHED @ THE ROYAL OAK HOTEL
TASMANIAN POETRY FESTIVAL - LAUNCH
Friday 4 October 2019
The official launch of the Tasmanian Poetry Festival at the Royal Oak Hotel 5.30 - 6.30 p.m. Hear two fabulous guest poets read - Rees Campbell and Gregory North, and partake of drinks and cheeses in this beautiful re-furbished dining room at the Royal Oak.
THE ROYAL OAK HOTEL
Tasmanian Poetry Festival Workshop: Chrys Salt MBE
Friday 4 October 2019
MAKE YOUR WRITING SPEAK
This workshop focuses on four elements of the performance process, hopefully giving all participants a chance to be a guinea pig so they can learn from each other – tone, pace, preparation and presentation. There is no reason on earth why poets should be good performers, but it helps! Chrys will offer a few tricks of the trade because a good performance can make good poems sound even better. A good performance can make good poems sound even greater.
Meeting Room 1, Launceston Library
Tasmanian Poetry Festival Workshop: Gina Mercer
Friday 4 October 2019
MESMERISING MONOLOGUES
In this half-day workshop you will be invited to:
• play with the dynamic possibilities of voice in poetry;
• hear and discuss a selection of monologue poems;
• discover the creative potential offered by this intriguing form;
• write new and surprising poems.
Meeting Room 1, Launceston Library
Tasmanian Poetry Festival Workshops Bundle
Friday 4 October 2019
Attend both workshops, by these wonderful guest poets Gina Mercer and Chrys Salt MBE, for a discounted rate..
Meeting Room 1, Launceston Library
"LUSCIOUS LINES AND LYRICS"
Thursday 3 October 2019
A sizzling start to the Tasmanian Poetry Festival. Come along to the Oakshed at the Royal Oak Hotel for an open mic night of poetry and/or song with an erotic theme. Guest performers Samora Squid and Edwina Blush will wow and delight. Bring your inner lusty, dress the part and read or sing to us your wildest fantasies and desires.
The "OAKSHED" @ The Royal Oak Hotel
FESTIVAL PASS
Thursday 3 October 2019
Beginning on Thursday the 3rd October, and ending on Sunday 6th October, you will be treated to a wordfest from ten invited guest poets to entertain and enthrall you, plus our own local poetry and writing community in various open mic sessions.
The Pioneer Lobby and other venues
FESTIVAL PASS
Thursday 3 October 2019
Beginning on Thursday the 3rd October, and ending on Sunday 6th October, you will be treated to a wordfest from ten invited guest poets to entertain and enthrall you, plus our own local poetry and writing community in various open mic sessions.
Pioneer Lobby and other venues
FOUR DAY FESTIVAL PASS
Thursday 3 October 2019
Beginning on Thursday the 3rd October, and ending on Sunday 6th October, you will be treated to a wordfest from ten invited guest poets to entertain and enthrall you, plus our own local poetry and writing community in various open mic sessions.
PIONEER LOBBY @ THE ALBERT HALL
"SONNETS AND SONGS IN SPRING"
Sunday 22 September 2019
Poetry and music afternoon with open mic
Nunamara Community Hall
DEVONSHIRE DELIGHTS @ THE DEVIOT COMMUNITY HALL
Sunday 25 August 2019
A Tasmanian Poetry Festival, PRE-FESTIVAL EVENT...
An original open mic singer/songwriter and poetry performance afternoon, with delicious Devonshire teas served at interval. Bring your poem or song and wow the audience in this lovely old community hall, with an outlook over the Tamar River.
DEVIOT COMMUNITY HALL
"POETRY FOR PEACE AT THE PLOUGH INN"
Monday 12 August 2019
Bring your poem, song, instrument and perform your "peace" piece.
Because it is important to spread the message for peace today in our troubled and turbulent world…….
The Tasmanian Poetry Festival, and Tas. Poets Performing, under the umbrella of the Tamar Valley Peace Festival welcomes one and all to the Plough Inn on Monday the 12th August for an open mic night of “POETRY FOR PEACE”. Register at 7 pm, and evening begins at 7.30 pm.
THE PLOUGH INN - BISTRO ROOM
Tasmanian Poetry Festival Weekend Pass
Friday 5 October 2018
A sumptuous weekend of poetry in all it's beautiful, mysterious and compelling forms--immerse yourself!
St Ailbe's Hall
2017 Tasmanian Poetry Festival
Friday 6 October 2017
A weekend of poetry readings by some of Australia's best poets, featuring open mic readings for locals as well as the much-anticipated and hotly contested Launceston Poetry Cup!
St Ailbe's Hall
