Slam poetry nuturing Perth's fresh talent
Bar Four5Nine is almost hidden, tucked away like an old speakeasy, the entrance concealed at first glance.
The wallpaper is grey, decorated with pink trees, paisley patterns, and brown bunnies.
Scattered black lanterns dangle from the ceiling, lonesome and swaying.
Soft chatter drifts through the room as people stand, drinks in hand, waiting for the show to start.
Most people crowd around the stage expectantly, while a select few hang back, seated on the stools at the rear of the room, beside a large window that overlooks a busy street.
A woman stands on stage, tall and commanding, adorned in a blue-hued light, behind her, draped shut and shimmering are violet velvet curtains.
"Laaaaaaaadies and gender fluid people, are you ready to slam?!"
Her voice roars, rumbles, reverberates through the room, cutting through the chatter, ensued by deafening cheers.
Slam poetry is becoming increasingly popular in Western Australia, with a plethora of Perth talent emerging and going on to compete nationally.
Slam poetry differs from other forms of poetry as it is a competition that involves performing in front of a live audience and a panel of judges.
Five judges are drawn at random from the audience and asked to rate contestants on a scale of one to ten.
It is frequently used as a tool to help people process past trauma and experiences, as well as boosting confidence and improves public speaking skills.
Perth Slam founder and coordinator Tonja Boyd has been organising and hosting the Perth Poetry Slams for more than fifteen years, with her husband Allan and daughter Joni.
“We like to claim that we’re the biggest poetry event held in Perth WA, and I don’t think anyone’s beaten us yet,” Mrs Boyd said.
“This year has just been amazing, the numbers have blown us away, at the state final we had 200 people in the room.”
The slams are held on the last Saturday of every month in the Four5Nine bar at the Rosemount Hotel in North Perth.
Primary school principal and poet Niel Smith has been involved in slam poetry for six years and describes it as a “cathartic” experience.
“The atmosphere is very welcoming, and the community is warm and engaging,” he said.
"Generally no one goes to the slam to win."
Every weekend in August, the Australian Poetry Slam (APS) heats are held, with the winner representing Western Australia in the national slam at the Sydney opera house.
National APS finalist Namu Kitafuna used to hate public speaking and only started doing slam poetry this year.
“I started writing when I was quite young because I found it difficult to talk out loud and express the way I was feeling,” she said.
“I have gained a tremendous amount of confidence being able to stand up and tell my story.
“I talk about emotional abuse, sexual abuse, toxic masculinity and inter-family abuse.”
Ms Kitafuna said the environment created at Perth Slam was different to other poetry events, describing the atmosphere as “electric”.
“It’s the idea that maybe someone else doesn’t feel as alone in that moment,” she said.
Perth Slam organiser and poet Joni Boyd often shares her experiences as a trans woman at the event and said she found the community to be incredibly supportive.
“I think what keeps people coming and intrigues the public is the level of honesty individuals reach on stage,” she said.
Photos courtesy of Niel Smith and Namu Kitafuna
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