Canowindra's Max Harris will showcase what he has learned during eight weeks of coaching and workshops.
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More than 40 poetry-slamming seniors will light up the internet this month when the ground-breaking 'Gran Slam' project goes digital in a free live-streamed event.
The 2020 'COVID edition' of the popular slam poetry project will culminate on Friday, November 27, when a razor-sharp collective of seniors showcase what they have learned during eight weeks of coaching and workshops under the tutelage of experienced poets and literary performers.
Hosted by award-winning comedian and cabaret artist Jenny Wynter, Gran Slam LIVE will see the free-wheeling wordsmiths perform their own works, as well as special appearances by their Gran Slam mentors, Sarah Temporal and Luka Lesson, and musicians Gordon Hamilton and Tom Thum.
Among the seniors set to share stories of life, freedom, skateboarding, lost loves, lost keys, the comedy of biology and speeding fines are:
- Max Harris, a 65-year-old from country Canowindra who is a belly-dancing, Latin-grooving, weightlifting-record-holding grandfather of seven,
- Lilith Rocha, a 78-year-old from Suffolk Park who is one of Australia's most renowned astrology columnists and founded Byron Bay's Hula Troupe Mana Aloha dance group; and
- Barbara Hamilton, an 80-year-old from the Gold Coast who wants to be taken out of her comfort zone, which is no surprise for a woman who has raised two families with five children, had two "animated" divorces, tutored Asian students in Hong Kong and was the first female elected to local government in Casino, NSW.
Gran Slam is a collaboration between performance producers Everybody NOW and people care provider Feros Care - two organisations that share a commitment to smashing stereotypes around age and ability and supporting communities to live bolder lives.
Feros Care CEO Jennene Buckley said Gran Slam LIVE would be a rich reward for the men and women who refused to let the COVID-19 pandemic halt their slam poetry dreams.
"After a successful inaugural year that included a performance at the Byron Writers Festival, it's exciting that the class of 2020 will get the chance to entertain an even larger audience via the wonders of technology," she said.
"In a year like no other, they committed to a series of Gran Slam online workshops and will now deliver an entertaining show that will be live-streamed direct to the comfort of people's homes.
"Gran Slam not only allows seniors to step out of their comfort zones and learn new skills but gives a voice to the ideas, opinions and experiences of older Australians."
Everybody NOW Executive Producer Kate Baggerson said the participants had been guided by Lesson, an influential artist in the slam and poetry scene for more than 10 years, and Temporal, who was recently highly commended at the 2020 Queensland Poetry Festival.
"Sarah and Luka have done an amazing job harnessing the energy and enthusiasm of the participants, who have proven that age is no barrier to exploring their creativity even when stuck at home," she said.
"Slam poetry is a chance for people to express themselves through the written and spoken word in an inclusive and supportive environment. Every one of the participants has dived deep, to express their own story in powerful and entertaining ways.
"I know they can't wait to showcase their slam poetry and I certainly can't wait to be one of the many audience members applauding them from across Australia."
Gran Slam LIVE will be live-streamed via vimeo on Friday, November 27 from 7pm - 8.30pm (AEDT) and 6pm - 7.30pm (QLD time).
To register for the free online event, visit www.feroscare.com.au/granslam-2020.