Queer Friendly Poetry and Performance
Assorted Sporks
Assorted Sporks is a bunch of queer friendly poetry and performance events in Footscray at Mamma Chen’s.
We are fortnightly, but on one fortnight we have Musical Sporks, an open mic poetry night where you have the option of performing your poetry with a choice of five electronic music backing tracks. Hosted by Quil (akaLoran Steinberg). On the alternate fortnight we have an awesome feature poet, with a theme you can use a writing prompt (or not, it’s optional) plus an open mic. Hosted by Quil (aka Loran Steinberg).For people new to poetry or experiencing a bit of writer's block, we have a poetry writing group/workshop on the second Sunday of the month with prompts, writing exercises, and feedback. Facilitated by Quil (aka Loran Steinberg and Es Foong (aka Waffle Irongirl).All events are friendly, supportive and we encourage people to be as weird and experimental as they want.
Poetry Writing Group; The Facilitators
The Assorted Sporks writing group facilitators:Es Foong is a brilliant poet, if you haven’t seen their poetry you really should, they also run solo workshops on both writing poetry and embodied performance in poetry. They are co-facilitator in the writing group and will be there for the giving of feedback and the providing of thoughtful words and writing exercises. I actually go to them every time I’m stuck on a poem. I find their advice absolutely priceless.
Quil, (me! who is writing this!) is good at prompts, inspiration, providing energy, impetus and encouragement, I’m also not bad at helping people find the strengths in their writing and pulling them to the front.
Es has a talent for really pinpointing the right word(s) or tone or emotion to really communicate the idea or sensation or central theme behind the poem.
These writing groups are priced to be accessible to anyone, and no one will be turned away due to lack of funds. Come along and write a poem. Search humanitix for tickets.
https://events.humanitix.com/assorted-sporks-poetry-writing-group
Musical Sporks
Musical Sporks, or Assorted Sporks with (optional) music is an event that will be happening every other fortnight all of 2026, alternating with the feature and themed nights, so basically, every 4 weeks, you will have a chance to try out performing your poetry to music.We have a menu of 5 backing tracks for you to choose from, Angry (also works well with stressed) Sad, Atmospheric, Beats, and Horny (is mildly spicy) all of the music is by George, AKA FluxOfHumour, you can also bring your own backing track, bring an instrument, or do something experimental.To have a listen to the music click here; https://www.soundclick.com/AssortedSporks/?content=songsIf you would rather perform with no music that is also fine, the open mic is still open for you to do whatever makes you comfortable. We will try out new backing tracks over time and are happy to get some feedback on moods and music you would like to pair your poetry to in the future.
Have some fun with this!
Assorted Sporks Feature and Theme
On April 23rd We will have an open mic on either side of a half hour feature by Saara Lamberg. We are a super friendly and chill group and it is going to be an amazing night. Details Below.Featuring; Saara Lamberg
Theme: Poetry is a Cult
Themes are not mandatory, they are just to encourage you to experiment with your writing and improvisation. Feel free to make it weird.
Saara Lamberg is a film director, actor, comedian, runner, poet and a few other things. Saara would rather pronouns didn't exist and is gender agnostic. Saara is currently in post production of the feature film CAMP THERAPY, a conversion therapy for straight people. There is a rumour that CAMP THERAPY is definitely Not a Cult, unlike Assorted Sporks, because the theme of the night is "Poetry is a Cult".
7:00 pm for a 7:30 pm start, sign up will be available on the night.
5 minute limit.
Assorted Sporks
general info
Assorted Sporks is a free, queer friendly poetry and performance night every 4 weeks (alternating fortnights with Musical Sporks) at Mamma Chen’s in Footscray (42a Albert St). Hosted by Me, Loran Steinberg. I do my best to feature queer and gender queer poets and amplify queer voices. Feature performances go for half an hour, and there is also an open mic on either side of the feature (five minute limit to the open mic slots).
I really encourage people to read/perform on the open mic and I think everyone should get the chance to express themselves creatively and to hear an eclectic range of poetry.
This might be my own taste talking, but when in doubt, make it weird. I love the sincerity of poets, and the honesty, but I also love it when they are very, very strange.We have a no hate speech policy at all Assorted Sporks events, people doing hate speech will have their microphone turned off and will be asked to leave the stage. If someone does something that is in a grey area, I will have a chat with them. I am very willing to receive feedback on how I am handling things and whether things should have been dealt with differently or better. That said, the Assorted Sporks crowd is a friendly bunch, I would rather have a policy and not need it, then need it and not have it, and I want people to feel safe.On the subject of feeling safe, people can find the content of poetry confronting or triggering, and it's always best to use trigger warnings and content warnings when you are performing something that may cause someone distress. If you experience distress or even if you just can’t sit still anymore at any poetry reading or art event, you are always allowed to leave the room, grab a glass of water, walk around, stim, find a quiet corner and take a breath if you need to. You do not owe anyone an explanation.Mamma Chen's is a wheelchair accessible venue however, the lift to the stage is stored off site, to provide a wheelchair lift to the stage please contact us a couple of days prior to the event if you need it for one of our events.
Assorted Sporks would like to thank Mamma Chen's for being a fabulous venue to hold a poetry reading and a wonderful bar.Assorted Sporks acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and the Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation as the traditional owners of the land, this land was stolen, never ceded, and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
