The 2025 Byron Writers Festival say there are some key satellite events that are going ahead today and tomorrow including the Poets Out Loud Youth Slam, Guardian Australia’s ‘Are you Game Show’ and Beyond the Lines.
You can head to the Poets Out Loud Youth Slam from 12-2pm today at the Bangalow Uniting Church, which brings together preselected performers aged 12 to 18, representing schools across the Northern Rivers. Pick up a ticket here.
There is the Australian Poetry Slam – Byron Heat, featuring winner of the 2024 Australian Poetry Slam NSW Final, Rachael Williams. This will take place at the Byron Bay Library, Cnr Middleton and Lawson Street Byron Bay at 3pm Saturday, 9 August. This is a free event and you can book a spot here.
Saturday night
This evening the Guardian Australia’s ‘Are you Game Show’ is going ahead at the A&I Hall in Bangalow at 5.30pm. This literary game show that puts you to the test – think you can tell Dickens from digital fakery? Are you up to date with the news? In this special Byron Writers Festival Feature Event, Guardian Australia will present the wildly entertaining and delightfully chaotic Are You Game Show. Think Spicks and Specks but this time, it’s getting bookish. This is a separate ticketed event and you can book here.
This will be followed by Beyond the Lines from 7.30pm at the A&I Hall in Bangalow – a night of rhythm, rhyme and radical truth-telling as poetry and music collide in an exhilarating live event! Headlining the evening is acclaimed rapper, writer and activist Ziggy Ramo, whose fusion of hip-hop and truth-telling has won him national acclaim. Joining Ziggy is Nardi Simpson, award-winning author and founding member of Indigenous vocal duo Stiff Gins. Nardi brings a rich blend of storytelling, music and cultural knowledge to the stage. Book your tickets here.
Sunday
On Sunday the free John West Poetry Cup and Wordworks will be taking place at the Bagalow Bowling Club, The John West Poetry Cup ($400 first prize, $100 runner up) is open to anyone aged 10 to 18 years, performing one poem (maximum 2 minutes) on any theme or subject. The contest is at 2.30pm with facilitator is David Hallett. Secure your spot here.
Author book signings at The Book Room
‘Despite the unfortunate but necessary decision to cancel the remainder of the Byron Writers Festival program at Bangalow Showground, we are working hard behind the scenes to connect you with your favourite authors while they here in the Northern Rivers,’ said BWF orgganisers.
‘We’d love to invite you to visit The Book Room in Byron for author book signings. Please see the schedule below. Go along, buy your favourite books and meet the authors.’
Saturday 9 August | The Book Room – 27 Fletcher Street Byron Bay
1pm | Theory & Practice: Michelle de Kretser
2:15pm | Why Do Horses Run?: Cameron Stewart
3:30pm | The Book Thief: Markus Zusak
4:30pm | Chameleon: Robert Dessaix
4:45pm | Rapture: Emily McGuire
‘We are also recording a number of sessions to release as a podcast for you to listen to and enjoy.’
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