Coffs Harbour’s Council Chambers will trade civic debate for raw emotion next month, as the Australian Poetry Slam returns to Yarrila Place with an open mic and no script in sight.
The local heat of the 2026 Australian Poetry Slam will be held in the River Oak Room on Tuesday, 11 August, giving performers just two minutes each to win over the crowd and the judges. The top two poets will progress to the NSW State Finals.
Now in its 14th year in Coffs Harbour, the free event is open to everyone, from nervous first-timers to poets who have done this a dozen times before.
Mayor Nikki Williams said the unpredictability was exactly the point.
“Expecting the unexpected is a given at the Australian Poetry Slam and that’s the beauty of the concept,” Cr Williams said.
“This will be the 14th time Coffs has hosted a heat of the national competition and every year there’s been some extraordinary presentations.”
The Australian Poetry Slam has run since 2005, giving poets of all ages a stage to tell their stories and show off their talent. Every performance is unscripted, uncut and delivered live, with organisers warning that some routines may include strong language and adult themes.
Entry is free for competitors and spectators alike.
For anyone nervous about stepping up to the mic, acclaimed writer and performer Miles Merrill will run a coaching workshop at Yarrila Place the night before, on Monday, 10 August. Mr Merrill is the American credited with bringing poetry slam to Australia, known for mixing poetry with theatre, experimental audio, hip-hop beats, stand-up comedy and the occasional dose of political confrontation.
Hosted by Coffs Harbour Libraries in partnership with Word Travels, the two-hour workshop runs from 5.30pm to 7.30pm in the Learning Lab on Level 2 of Yarrila Place. Registration is essential and places cost $5.
City Libraries Service Leader Karen Rowe-Nurse said the night always draws a crowd willing to get involved.
“Most poetry slams are all ages but some performances may include strong language and adult themes so discretion is advised,” Ms Rowe-Nurse said.
“The Coffs Harbour heat is always a winner with audiences, as some get right into the spirit of the night by holding up scorecards after each performance.”
She said the event was built to welcome anyone brave enough to try.
“Above all, everyone is welcome to have a go, from first-timers to seasoned poets, as this is an opportunity to compete in a safe and encouraging environment,” Ms Rowe-Nurse said.
The local heat runs from 6pm to 8pm on Tuesday, 11 August, with poet check-in from 5.30pm. Audience members and performers can pre-register to secure their place, with entry free for all.
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