Performances

Roomers writers are regular performers on the spoken word scene and have graced such events as:

• The Melbourne Writers Festival
• Overload Poetry Festival
• Words in Winter (Daylesford)
• Radio National Poetica
• Emerging Writer’s Festival
• St Kilda Writer’s Festival
• The Annual Homeless Memorial

Roomers are also happy to provide performances to community events. In the past we have performed for AGMs, conferences and more. Just get in touch roomersmag@yahoo.com.au

Highlights

As well as producing the magazine and organising a regular calendar of spoken word performances, Roomers organises annual projects to showcase the talents of the Rooming House community and challenge our participants in new ways. Some of our past successes include:

2007: The Roomers Picture Show; video storytelling

Last year Roomers took on a new medium: video. 6 participants wrote and directed their own mini-movie, telling a story from their lives or writing a new one. Films were premiered at the St Kilda Library and 2 were selected for the presitigious St Kilda Film Festival. The project is continuing through 2008.

2005: Spreading Roomers; theatre night

Roomers writers worked with director Adriano Cortese to develop this season of short performance pieces and music. Sell-out crowds filled La Mama and were treated to some rare and moving tales over 3 nights.

2005: Launch of The cd Side of Roomers; spoken word recording

This full length studio cd records the spoken word work of 16 Roomers poets and writers. The cd has since been played on radio including 3KND, 3RRR and Radio National.

2003 - 2004: Roomers with a View; photography exhibition

Photography workshops led to an exhibition at Patrizia Autore Gallery as part of the Fringe Festival and a travelling show throughout the City of Port Phillip.

Roomers magazine is a showcase for the work of writers and artists who live in rooming houses, private hotels and supported accommodation across the City of Port Phillip.

As well as producing the magazine we hold a weekly drop-in writing workshop at the St Kilda Library. This provides a supportive community for rooming house writers to meet and develop their craft. Workshops are lead by well known writers and cover a variety of styles and genres. As well as developing their writing skills participants have found the workshops benefit from the social networks they create and from forging a routine. To find out more about upcoming workshops or to make a referral get in touch roomersmag@yahoo.com.au

For rooming house writers who are unable to attend workshops we are able to provide a mentoring program. Roomers recruits local writers, artists, photographers, journalists and cartoonists to work as volunteer mentors with disadvantaged local residents. Mentors meet one-on-one with resident contributors to assist them to develop their writing.

Justin and Bob at the launch of Issue 32

Photo: Marion Lee