A bunch of our elders are about to get their slam on for one of the oldest forms of entertainment.
The age-old practice of poetry has been revived with a modern twist and now aged-care residents of Feros Village Byron Bay will have a chance to be a part of the slam poetry revolution under the guidance of an expert poet and literary performer.
David Stavanger will lead the workshop at the village for residents taking part in the Feros Care Gran Slam project.
The workshops are part of a new initiative called Gran Slam that teaches aspiring wordsmiths to give voice to their ideas and experiences.
The project, which has been running for a few weeks, will culminate in a performance that will be captured on film and screened at a Feros Care bespoke event at Byron Writers Festival.
Gran Slam is a collaboration between performance producers, Everybody NOW and aged-care provider, Feros Care – two organisations that share a commitment to smash stereotypes and support communities to live bolder lives.
Everybody NOW’s Executive Producer Kate Baggerson said slam is a style of rhythmic performance poetry that can move and inspire both the writer and audience.
‘Slam poetry has the passion and punch that we know older people have in spades,’ she said. ’The Gran Slam project – which will give seniors the skills and platform to express themselves through prose and performance – is an initiative that aligns with our vision to “move communities” through delivering quality, professional arts projects that are created with, and for, local people.
‘Working with lead poet David Stavanger and our creative team, the participants will have access to a wealth of knowledge that will ensure their final performance is a success, no matter what their previous experience.’
For more information visit: www.feroscare.com.au/granslam.
