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UQP authors at Blak & Bright Festival
16 Mar 2022 – 20 Mar 2022
Melbourne, VIC

UQP authors at Blak & Bright Festival

Blak & Bright is a First Nations Literary Festival based in Naarm (Melbourne) spread across four days to showcase and celebrate the diverse expressions of First Nations writers and covers all genres from oral stories to epic novels and plays to poetry. This year join UQP authors Tony Birch, Jazz Money, SJ Norman, Ellen van Neerven and Chelsea Wategoamongst a brilliant line-up for 2022.

MASTERCLASS: THE POET'S IMAGINATION - 16 March, 6:30-9pm (Online)

Jazz Money is an award-winning poet. Across a 2 1/2 hour online workshop they will share writing exercises and dish out great advice and insights. Limited places, book now. Blak participants will be given preference. $60, book tickets here.

BLAK & BRIGHT FESTIVAL OPENING - 18 March, 6-8:30pm at The Capital

Join the offical opening of the 2022 Blak & Bright Literary Festival! Witness, Solace, the commissioned performance by Philly, Bryan Andy, James Henry and Steven Rhall, exploring men’s mental health. Followed by a special guest talking to the theme, ‘What’s Changed? What’s Stayed the Same?’, with spotlight on writers Jazz Money, Alexis Wright, Crystal McKinnon, with Glenn Shea. Free event, bookings essential here.

LGBTQIA+ FORUM - 18 March, 11am-1pm at The Wheeler Centre

This forum, specifically for LGBTQIA+ Blak writers, will have a focus on navigating the literature industry, facilitated by Ellen van Neerven. Lunch is provided by Mabu Mabu, however dietary requests are limited. This event is reserved for LGBTQIA First Nations people only. Limited spaces available. Book tickets here.

SISTAS ARE DOIN' IT - 19 March, 11:15am-12:15pm at The Wheeler Centre

Four fabulous Blak women with extraordinary lives; Aunty Ronnie Gorrie, Chelsea Watego, Nardi Simpson and moderated by Sonia Cooper. How do they juggle writing lives and busy lives? They have some stories to tell. Free event, bookings essential here.

YUNG, BLAK & BOLD - 19 March, 12.30-1.30pm at The Wheeler Centre

Three young writers, Jazz Money, Teela May Reid and Davey Thompson, have been corresponding in the months leading up to the Festival. They’ll share snippets of their correspondence and the things that matter now. Free event, bookings essential here.

RAINBOW WORDS - 19 March, 2:30-3:30pm at The Wheeler Centre

LGBTQIA+ writers share their words and the stories behind them. With Ellen van Neerven, SJ Norman, Jazz Money. Moderator Daniel Browning. Free event, bookings essential here.

BIG BLAK POETRY READ - 19 March, 5-6pm at The Wheeler Centre

Six of the fiercely best poets read three of their best poems. With Jazz Money, Charmaine Papertalk Green, Tony Birch, Kirli Saunders, Ellen van Neerven, plus International poet Tusiata Avia. Free event, bookings essential here.

BLACKFULLA BOOK CLUB - 20 March, 3-4pm at The Wheeler Centre

With Instagram’s iconic Blackfulla Book Club creators Merinda Dutton and and Teela Reid, we delve into two intricate and engaging books, Another Day in the Colony and Song of the Crocodile, with their talented authors Chelsea Watego and Nardi Simpson. Free event, bookings essential here.

BIG SCREEN WRITING - 20 March, 5:30-6:30pm at The Wheeler Centre

Discussing the making of the film and tv hits, The White Girl, Black Comedy and more. With Tony Briggs, Tony Birch, Nayuka Gorrie and moderated by Daniel Browning. Free event, bookings essential here.

THE BOGONG - 20 March, 7-9pm at Comedy Republic

Our Bogong is a celebration and sharing of crafted spoken word pieces. Grab a drink and hang around for a pizza afterwards. With Nardi Simpson, SJ Norman, Declan Fry, Tara June Winch, Victor Rodger (NZ), Emily Munro-Harrison, Nayook, Claire G. Coleman, Nayuka Gorrie. Bookings essential here.