Perth Poetry Festival 2026

THE GALA

Ear to the Ground

Date: Thursday, 27 August 2026

Time: 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Doors open 6:00 pm, please come in early for a 6:30 pm start.

Venue: Perth Town Hall,

601 Hay St, Perth WA 6000

The Gala is where it all happens: poets, performers, audiences and ideas. Join us for an unforgettable night of live readings, collaboration, music and poetic celebration.

With a lineup spanning Perth, regional WA and national voices, the Perth Poetry Festival 2026 Gala Night brings the Festival’s theme Ear to the Ground to life in performance.

The Keynote will be delivered by our 2026 Festival Patron, Cyndy Moody.

Featuring:

Welcome to Country by Wadjak-Balardong Noongar Elder Emeritus Professor Simon Forrest and Wadjak-Balardong Noongar language teacher Dylan Collard.

Opening performance by

Miranda Aitken

Performances by

🇦🇺 National Guests

Emilie Collyer
Alex Creece
Oormila Prahlad
Ender Başkan

🏴 Western Australian Regional Poets

Reneé Pettitt-Schipp
Giles Watson

🏴 Perth Poets

Jack Collard
Coral Carter
Luisa Mitchell
Patrick McCarthy
Yirga Gelaw Woldeyes

& a special featurette by the Shadow Walk Poet Troupe

Hosted by

Lakshmi Kanchi & Manveen Kohli

Food & Drink

Licensed bar on site – no BYO alcohol

Perth Town Hall will operate a licensed bar throughout the evening, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available for purchase.

Please note that this event is no longer BYO. Please do not bring your own alcohol.

A grazing table and light nibbles are included with your ticket. Complimentary tea and coffee will also be available.

Dress Code: Come as you are, or come festival fabulous.

Books

Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event courtesy of our official festival bookseller, Rabble Books & Games.

Accessibility:

Perth Town Hall is wheelchair accessible. Please let us know if you have specific access needs.

Acknowledgement of Country:

We wish to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land we are operating on, the Whadjuk people and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We wish to acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region. We pay our respects to them and their cultures; and to elders both past and present.

This is the beating heart of the festival! Join us in celebration, connection and community.

Visit perthpoetryfestival.com for the full Festival program and bookings.

Book your place now. The poetry is waiting.

Contact the host of The Gala | Perth Poetry Festival 2026

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