It’s a quiet Tuesday evening. A man walks out of the noodle bar, cars drift past, and the remaining city workers arrive home late once more. In the upstairs room of a south Melbourne bar a small, black lectern waits nervously. Red walls and sporadic seating emerge as the lights flick on. It’s 8pm, and The Spinning Room awakens.
An assortment of Melbourne’s brightest poets converge on ET’s Hotel. An evening of free lyrical luxury awaits them. They stock up on house red and run through last-minute lines. First up is the open-mic.
MC Anthony O’Sullivan hosts an hour of superb two-minute readings. It reassures me that I’m in good company. Josephine Rowe tries out a new poem. Regular faces, returning travellers and first appearances follow. It’s amazing to see such a variety of new poetry. From the surreal to the witty. Michael Reynolds captures my attention:
A poet in the back bar
Packs the front bar
I even get chance to read a couple of my own poems. (Find out more). Geoff Lemon is the feature poet tonight. Unfortunately I’m unable to stay to see him, but I’m sure his performance is as awesome as ever.
Melbourne hosts a number of regular poetry gigs. The city is thriving with poetic talent, and is a great place for Salt to show what we have to offer.
The Spinning Room is held every Tuesday evening, 8pm at ET’s Hotel, High St, Prahran.
All photographs provided gratefully with permission by Michael Reynolds.
hello i am a poet well i think i am, but then a again it is a whole life thing. i would love to get a chance to read and perform some of my work. Or is it thE other way around. or maybe the work should be still and I should do all the work.