WOMAD AOTEAROA 2027
Poetry Slam Entry Form

10th Anniversary WOMAD Slam!

Thanks for you interest in submitting for the triumphant return of the WOMAD Slam 2027, which runs as follows:

Ten finalists will be chosen from the videos uploaded through this form. 

The slam runs in two fast paced rounds over 60 minutes. The first starts with MC Penny Ashton warming up the crown then performing a poem. After which all the names of the 10 finalists go into the hat of excitement. 

Their names will be pulled in random order as the round progresses, after their name is called each contestant will perform one poem of three minutes or less.

Timekeeping will be done by Penny Ashton who will squeeze her squeezy pig of doom should you run over, and you have to stop as soon as it makes a noise.

The three judges will then deliberate and two finalists will be chosen to do another poem of three minutes or less, the judges will deliberate again and then a winner will be crowned. Then if time allows another poem can be performed by the winner. 

• Must be an original poem of your own

• There can be no more than 15 seconds of singing

• There can be no props or costumes

• You can do more than one poem in three minutes but this approach is rarely successful

• It is advisable to learn your poem off by heart, but not mandatory

• Should you wish to practise with a mic contact Penny Ashton after you are selected

• Slam entry does not include travel or accommodation costs. These are your own to pay. 

For the first time all chosen slam contestants will win a three day WOMAD pass. If chosen you will be asked to sign a contract to say you will perform on Saturday March 13th and should you win, again on Sunday March 14th. The Sunday performance is by Penny Ashton, the two judges and the winner who performs their winning poem/s.

The slam is a vibrant, very well attended community based aspect of WOMAD which has been running since 2017. Your poetry can be on any theme, any style, rhyming, non-rhyming etc. You will be judged on writing, performance and audience response.

Please have your poems uploaded by February 1st 2027 and all contestants will be notified by February 7th. If you purchase a WOMAD ticket in advance of this, the price will be refunded to you if you win slam entry. This is only for ONE ticket.

Good Luck.

 

Please zip your entry into a compressed file for upload

Zipping files with Windows XP

Select your file. Right-click on your selection to bring up the context menu, and move your mouse over Send To, revealing a new menu. Click on Compressed (zipped) folder. You will see a new file icon appear in your Explorer window, representing the new zip archive that you’ve created.

Creating a compressed archive with Mac OS X

Select your file, then click on the word File in the top left corner of your screen. In the new menu that appears, locate and click on Create archive of …., which will be followed by the name(s) of your selection. A new file will appear, representing the compressed zip archive containing all the original files you selected. This new file will have a .zip file extension.

GRANT OF RIGHTS

Finalists:
By submitting this Entry Form where designated below, you agree to give WOMAD Aotearoa a non-exclusive licence to use and distribute your entry for publicity purposes.