Sydney Writers' Festival: How to Grow a Poem Workshop with Bankstown Poetry Slam

Get hands-on experience and writing insights from a slam poetry heavyweight.

Artistic Director of Bankstown Poetry Slam and author of An Army of Light Bilal Hafda guides you through the tips and tricks of the writing process to help you take your work from the seed of an idea into a fully grown and realised spoken-word poem, ready to be shared on stage.

Old and new work is welcome. Come with a poem you’ve already written or write something brand new! Participants are encouraged to stick around for poetry slam in the evening and can sign up to go into the draw to perform. Five spots in the slam will be saved for workshop participants.

Minimum age 15. A limited number of free spots will be reserved for anyone experiencing financial hardship. To enquire, please email phivetickets@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au 

Date: Saturday 23th May 2026

Time: 2 - 5pm

Location: Parramatta Town Hall

Tickets: $10.00, bookings essential

Parramatta Town Hall is best accessed by public transport. Parking in Parramatta can be busy, especially during peak hours and on weekends. To assist you in finding convenient parking options, we have compiled a comprehensive list available on the Town Hall website.

We highly recommend considering public transport as an excellent alternative to driving. Parramatta is well-served by trains, buses, and other transportation services.

Parramatta Town Hall sits on the lands and waters of the Burramattagal of the Dharug nation and we acknowledge Burramatta as significant place of ceremony, story and tradition. We pay our respects to Dharug Ancestors and Elders, past, present and future and extend our respect to all First Nations people joining this program and visiting Parramatta Town Hall.