Awareness is currently fundraising to keep the Mad Poets Society open mic nights happening in 2016. Check out our fundraising page here or get in touch to support :)https://www.pledgeme.co.nz/projects/4337-mad-poets-society-open-mic-nights
Speak your truth…
After holding a year of Open Mic Nights in 2015, building an amazing community of people, hearing so much brave and inspiration writing, and having a chance to connect and hang out, we want to keep Mad Poets Society events happening, but need support to make it happen and anything you can contribute would be much appreciated!!!
We’re fundraising to hold another ten, monthly open mic nights over 2016 (with a break in January and December for Christmas) because those who have come along previously have found them invaluable, socially, creatively and mental health wise.
These open mic nights differ from other poetry events in one important way…
The “Mad Poets Society” is a project by Awareness: Canterbury Action on Mental Health and Addictions. Awareness is a mental health and addictions consumer network, meaning everyone involved in organising these events have personal experience of distress and can be understanding and supportive of others. The poetry nights are a safe and supportive environment for people to have a go at reading or performing some of their writing. Mad Poetry nights are open to anyone to attend and read at, but we are especially keen to make these spaces open to others with lived experience, or people whose writing deals with the themes of distress, recovery and/or resilience.
And people have really responded to what we’re about…
“Thanks again for another wonderful, uplifting and warm event. I love the laughter, love and solidarity. Today’s been a challenging day so it’s a fab way to end it, on a positive note”
If we reach our goal, we will be able to cover costs associated with venue hire, entertainment, and coordination by our awesome team of volunteer organisers. If we raise more than our goal, any additional funding will help support the poetry nights beyond 2016 and allow us to run more “writers workshops” to help people develop their writing.
Want to help us keep Mad Poetry happening…
Pledge anything you’re able to contribute – all donations are very much appreciated, and enjoy receiving some awesome rewards to recognise your contribution. We’d also love your help with spreading the word so please share our fundraising page far and wide and help make Mad Poetry 2016 a reality.
Awareness Canterbury 