We have a home, from April

A teaser for our new venue, beginning April 16.

We are pleased to have been able to find a new home for Words Out Loud’s monthly events in Ballarat, starting from our April 16 edition. But we’re not announcing it officially until this month’s event, our road trip to Creswick! One exciting bit of news at a time, we figure.

The new digs can’t replace the Printers Room, the same way the Printers Room was a different space to Babushka, but the welcome is just as warm and supportive, and we’re confident the new venue will suit us just as well. We’re grateful to have found one so quickly after the Printers Room’s sudden closure and can’t wait to reveal it.

But first, Creswick, which is shaping up to be a great night at Odessa at Leaver’s Hotel on March 19!

Don’t forget, Harvest Festival is on at the same time, with the launch and art festival opening 5-7pm that night at Town Hall and Odessa hosting the Harvest Feast on March 20 ahead of a big weekend of events.

March edition – now at Creswick

With the sudden demise of the Printers Room, our wonderful home of the past two years, we’re hitting the road to relocate this month’s edition. Far from being a ‘road to nowhere’, as our theme for the month suggests, it is rather a road to somewhere very pleasant indeed: Odessa at Leaver’s Hotel in Creswick!

We’ve been wanting to run an event at this sumptuous, eclectic venue for some time, and now is the time!

Wordsmiths are invited to explore the themes or simply ignore them altogether. This is a great opportunity to road test new material, celebrate a success or share some inspiration, or simply enjoy a diverse range of spoken word — poetry, prose or storytelling; read or recited; your own work or someone else’s.

Date: Thursday March 19

Time: Doors open about 6.30pm, words from 7pm

Venue: Odessa at Leaver’s Hotel, 80 Albert St, Creswick.

Transport: Ballarat attendees, please get in touch if you need a lift, and we will try to arrange car pooling or, if there’s enough demand, a mini-bus.

Performances: Sign up on the night – a maximum of 5 minutes each.

Eat and drink: The menu is available for dinner or snacks, and the well-stocked bar is open.

Cost: Free, with a gold coin donation appreciated.

Bonus: The Creswick Harvest Festival opens on March 19, with the official launch and art show opening in the Town Hall virtually next door to Odessa from 5-7pm. Do pop in beforehand and check it out.

We intend to be back in Ballarat with a regular venue from April, with a couple of possibilities being investigated. Stay tuned.

Keep in touch: at facebook.com/wordsoutloud or join our mailing list.