PoetiCas has been hosting regular poetry gatherings in Castlemaine since 2015, following on the tradition of Ross Donlon's poetry readings in the decade prior. It has grown into a wonderful community and their monthly events are beloved by many. Lockdowns and uncertainty put their activities on pause for much of 2020 and 2021, and they are now thrilled to announce a new chapter at a fine new venue.
The usual format brings a feature poet to share their work, as well as an open section for the community to share their own original poems in a warm and supportive space, lovingly MC'd by local poet and publisher Tegan Gigante. All are welcome to attend, to read or just to listen.
Feature Poet for July:
Leni Shilton is a poet, teacher and researcher. She grew up in Papua New Guinea and Melbourne and lived in Mparntwe | Alice Springs for many years where she worked as a remote area nurse, a prison educator, a lecturer and as a domestic violence community worker. She now lives in Newstead in central Victoria. Leni’s books are Walking with camels, which won the 2020 NT Chief Ministers Book Award.
Her second verse novel is Malcolm. Her poetry appears in Australian Poetry Anthology, APJ, Overland, Cordite, Plumwood Mountain, Westerly, Best of Australian Poetry and the Anthology of Australian Prose Poetry. She has a PhD in Creative writing. Leni regularly judges literary awards including the 2020 Stella Prize, the Dorothy Hewett Awards, the NT Literary Awards and the Chief Ministers Book Awards. She writes about the loss and giving voice to silence. Her poetry explores the intersection of language, place and belonging.
Leni is currently working on her third verse novel and helping to organise the inaugural Newstead Young Writers Festival.
2pm for a 2.30 start
4th Saturday of every month
in The Coolroom at the Northern Arts Hotel
359 Barker St, Castlemaine
Open section as usual, limited to 3 minutes per reader.
All Welcome! $5 donation at the door much appreciated.
So buy a drink from the bar and join us at The Coolroom at the Northern Arts Hotel, the new home for PoetiCas.
Contact Tegan: poeticaspoeticas@outlook.com
COST: $5 donation at door appreciated