Story-Fest 2018

Overview

Word Travel's literary laboratory Story-Fest is set to return to Sydney this month. Between October 19–21, the Sydney Opera House, The Rocks and other venues around the harbour will host wordsmiths from across the globe as they take the stage to share their vocal art. The annual festival celebrates eclectic creatives with three jam-packed days of provocative poetry slams, talks, live literature and monologues.

Artists expected to make the journey include celebrated Canadian poet and novelist Kaie Kellough, who will host both a discussion and an experimental language workshop, and Singapore's Deborah Emmanuel. Emmanuel will take to the stage at Customs House to perform her new solo work Alien Flower in Fundamentalist Fields for the first time. She will also join ABC Radio National audio documentary maker Belinda Lopez and Laurie May for the multilingual performance, Leaving Home, Coming Home, which explores the concept of what is, well, home.

Those wanting to stretch their creative muscles can take part in poetry zine making and haiku workshops, the latter of which ends in a precariously named 'Death Match' — don't worry, it's just a battle of the spoken word.

This expansive line-up culminates in the festival's main event: the Australia Poetry Slam National Final, taking place at the Sydney Opera House on Sunday evening. Kellough will start the night with a unique vocal performance, then the comp will kick off. During the slam, members of the crowd will be randomly chosen to play the role of judge. Last year's winners Solli Raphael and Jesse Oliver will also perform before handing over their (figurative) crowns. The winner will get a golden ticket to literary festivals around the globe, from Singapore to Montreal.

Whether you're a hidden poet, like to experiment with a haiku or two, or just want to sit back and watch some damn emotive speech, this event will be sure to unleash some real feels from within.

Tickets vary from show to show and range between $10–58. Or, if you get in quick, you can snap up a Festival Pass for just $35 (there's only 35 of these available — so poetic). If you're strapped for cash, the event is also running a free Performing Writers Forum, where you can still experience the best of this dynamic community.