This project was assisted through Arts Tasmania by the Minister for the Arts, and the City of Launceston.


The Tasmanian Poetry Festival acknowledges and respects the palawa people as the traditional and ongoing owners and custodians of this land and we pay our respect to all elders, past, present and future.

THE TASMANIAN POETRY FESTIVAL 2020 …..Scroll down for all events for this year which, due to Covid-19 uncertainties, is a localised Festival to be held over a 4 week period, from October 12th – November 14th.

MONDAY 12th October. “Speakeasy” at Phoenix Launceston from 7 pm.

In conjunction with the Tasmanian Poetry Festival, Tas Poets Performing present their regular poetry meeting of open mic poets with 2 or more brackets. Competition theme for this month is “Can’t say I’m away” (relating to Covid lockdown). All welcome. Entry is gold coin donation.

https://www.facebook.com/events/335423580909500

SUNDAY 18th October. Royal Oak Hotel. from 5 pm.

Live at the Royal Oak Hotel, 14 Brisbane Street Launceston. Open mic and singer/songwriter night. From 5 pm. Cost $12 (includes fish and chips in a cone for dinner). Bookings essential – 80 people capacity with Covid-safe requirements.
Booking Link: https://www.trybooking.com/BLWPF
https://www.facebook.com/events/367000181325421


MONDAY 19th October @ Phoenix Restaurant, Launceston. Live and Zoom event from 7 pm A.E.D.S.T.

The Tasmanian Poetry Festival and UTAS in conjunction with Global Climate Change Week present a night of poetry dedicated to climate change awareness. An open mic format for live readers, and Zoom participants will need to book. Cost $5/$3.
Ticketing links here:
For Zoom link click here:-   https://utas.zoom.us/j/89352187889

https://www.trybooking.com/BLXPW for live show. Maximum 50 for live audience/readers due to Covid-safe requirements.

https://www.trybooking.com/BLXQA for Zoom. Maximum 15 Zoom readers/attendees.

FRIDAY 23rd October at Grand Chancellor from 5.30 – 6.50 pm.

The Tasmanian Poetry Festival in conjunction with Theatre North present: “GRAND EVENINGS OF POETRY – WOMEN CONTEMPORARY POETS”. From 5.30 – 6.50 pm. Cost $20 – tickets available from Theatre North website. https://theatrenorth.com.au/

FRIDAY 23rd October – “OUT OF THE ASHES”- POETS BANQUET at Phoenix Launceston from 6.30 p.m. onwards.

The Tasmanian Poetry Festival join hands with Phoenix Restaurant to present this fabulous night of art, ekphrastic poetry and Indonesian banquet. Dress in your finest attire or accessory and celebrate a return to normal life as we knew it. Unleash your inner poet and write/perform in response to artwork on display. Cost is $40 including entry and banquet. Limited numbers of 50 due to Covid-safe requirements, so book early. Booking link here: https://www.trybooking.com/BLWFN

https://www.facebook.com/events/679307626025620/

SATURDAY 31st October – “THE LAUNCESTON POETRY CUP” at the Workers Club from 7 pm.

Join us for the iconic LAUNCESTON POETRY CUP now in its 36th year. Poems must be read in 1 minute or under otherwise you will be disqualified. Winner is judged on the loudest audience response, so bring your friends, get foot stomping, yelling and clapping for your favourite performer. Due to Covid-19 requirements, B.Y.O bikkies and cheese or picnic tea. Drinks from the bar at excellent prices. The Launceston Workers Club, 66 Elizabeth Street, Launceston. Entry cost $10/$8
https://www.trybooking.com/BLWPU

https://www.facebook.com/events/808938933259508

SUNDAY November 1st – “Live to Air Poets” from City Park Radio. 2pm – 4 pm

City Park Radio is hosting a live to air poetry reading afternoon. From 2pm – 4 pm. Poets are invited to book in before the day, as numbers in the studio are limited due to Covid-safe requirements. It will be a first to book in, best dressed event. Readings to be no longer than 5 minutes per person. FREE EVENT. We thank City Park Radio for their generosity in partnering with the Tasmanian Poetry Festival.
Email here to register interest to read info@taspoetryfest.org

https://www.facebook.com/events/1346836148981104

SATURDAY November 14th – A.P.S. finals via Zoom and live from Phoenix, Launceston. 7.30 pm.


Brittany Cook and Rohan King compete against poets from other states in a Zoom and live performance of The Australian Poetry Slam Finals, at 7.30 pm. Cocktails from the bar, and meals can be purchased from the “Small Chilli” menu of Indonesian cuisine. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, numbers will be limited so book in early here to ensure your seat. Phoenix Launceston 63 Brisbane St. Launceston.
wordsunited@maisonrond.com
Entry cost $5.00



The Tasmanian Poetry Festival greatly appreciates and thanks business owners who have made venues available for this Festival of 2020. We acknowledge Wendy Robbins of The Royal Oak, and Jimmy Hoyle of Phoenix Launceston. We also thank and acknowledge local organisations for their generosity and partnership. The Launceston Workers Club, City Park Radio, Theatre North, and The Grand Chancellor.

https://www.facebook.com/PHOENIXLaunceston

https://www.facebook.com/royaloaktas

https://www.facebook.com/launcestonworkersclub

https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Community-Organization/City-Park-Radio-421884267999490/

https://www.facebook.com/Theatre-North-Princess-Theatre-Earl-Arts-Centre-205157816190120

https://www.facebook.com/HotelGrandChancellorLaunceston

Tasmanian Poetry Festival images from 2019; a wonderful vibrant series of events.

Evie Wood – Director, 2019 with guest poets Tug Dumbly -( left) and Solli Raphael
The lovely poetry of Ross Donlon and Gina Mercer at TPF 2019
Tasmanian Guest Poets: Carol Easton and Rees Campbell. at TPF 2019
Marie McMillan and Gregory North at TPF 2019
Pola Fanous at TPF 2019
The cast singing the poetic songs from “Marjorie Bligh The Musical” by Stella Kent and Karlin Love. Directed by Peter Hammond. From left: Greg Leong, Amanda Dawes, Georgie Todman, David Lee
Local performance poet, Val Tinmouth wowing them at The Launceston Poetry Cup, 2019
…….and the winner is…….the lovely, the wonderful…. Nancy Jean Corbett.

The Tasmanian Poetry Festival acknowledges and respects the palawa people as the traditional and ongoing owners and custodians of this land and we pay our respect to all elders, past, present and future.

https://www.facebook.com/events/404130223573287/
PRE-FESTIVAL EVENT: “Sonnets and Songs in Spring” at Nunamara Memorial Hall. Sept. 22nd from 12 pm.

https://www.facebook.com/events/432880217577141/

Friday 4th October, two of our guest poets are conducting these inspiring workshops. See below for booking links and details.

https://www.trybooking.com/BEAEV
Gina Mercer workshop

https://www.trybooking.com/BEAEZ
Chrys Salt MBE workshop

https://www.trybooking.com/BEAFC
Workshop Bundle

Before we kick off with the official launch….Thurs. 3rd Oct. at The Royal Oak Hotel 8 pm. Cost $10/$8

https://www.trybooking.com/BEICK
“Luscious Lines and Lyrics”

https://www.facebook.com/events/760855197700649/

“Poets on Pedestals” at the Festival Launch Fri. 4th Oct. The Royal Oak Hotel. Drinks and cheeses included. 5.30 – 6.30 pm. $10 entry

https://www.trybooking.com/BEJBH
for “Poets on Pedestals” at Festival Launch

Following at 6.30 – “Slamduggery” at The Oakshed, The Royal Oak Hotel.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2556358511083746/

https://www.trybooking.com/BEJBN
“Slamduggery”

https://www.facebook.com/events/2360680827512031/

“Marj for Breakfast” Sat. Oct. 5th at Pioneer Lobby 10. am. $10/$8

https://www.trybooking.com/BEJBV
“Marj for Breakfast”

“Morning Musings” Sat. 5th Oct. at Pioneer Lobby 10.45 – 1pm $10/$8

https://www.trybooking.com/BEJCF
“Morning Musings”

“School’s Out” Pioneer Lobby Sat. 5th Oct. 2 – 4 pm $10/$8

https://www.trybooking.com/BEJCL
“School’s Out

“The Launceston Poetry Cup” at The Boathouse, Sat. 5th Oct. 7 pm. $10/$8

https://www.trybooking.com/BEJCQ
The Launceston Poetry Cup

“Poets Breakfast” Sun. 6th Oct. Pioneer Lobby 9.30 am. $10/$8

https://www.trybooking.com/BEJCR

“Words from Women @ Sawtooth Ari. 11 am – 12 pm. $5

https://www.trybooking.com/BEJCS

“Live to Air Broadcast” Pioneer Lobby. 1.15 pm – 4 pm $10/$8

https://www.trybooking.com/BEJCU

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