Meet the Team
Michelle Dabrowski, Founder/Artistic Director/Slam Master and Event MC
"Your smiles are simply signs of how sacred your life really is... so step into this."
My dream is to see Slamalamadingdong grow bigger and stronger, showing Melbourne, Australia and the world what the power of spoken word poetry is truly capable of. I'm a visionary and dreamer, some might say a little up in the clouds, but my poetic/artistic practice is what grounds me and keeps me here with all of you. I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't think it could save the world... even if just a tiny bit.
Kirsti Whalen, Co-Producer and NZ Slamalama Ambassador
Slamalamadingdong is my spiritual home, and the place in which I connect with my community. I got involved through connecting with Michelle's vision for a space that was dictated by and responded to the needs of the people within it. Grass roots, baby. Dig it. When I'm in Melbourne, you can find me dancing in the aisles of the Bella Union, snapping my fingers and smiling behind the scenes. And when I'm in NZ, you'll find me spreading the word and the movement that is Slamalama.
Terry Stevens/Hobo Hifi, Sound and Lighting Technician
Hey there! I'm Terry, the one behind the desk making sure everyone sounds and looks great. Michelle and I go way back and we love to chat entrepreneurial strategy stuff. You might know me as Hobo Hifi, I've brought my sound system on a shopping cart to various parties over the years. I'm currently building a huge geometric dome to take with me to parties and festivals for various magical things to happen inside. When I write my description myself, this will make a lot more sense instead of Michelle pretending to be me!
Jacky T, Melbourne Poet and Live Sound Recording
Hey, all! Im a country boy who wears city life like an itchy woolen sweater. When not producing tracks or wagging my tongue at bigots, you'll find me behind the sound desk at Slamalama struggling with the limiter and those soft spoken poets. Slamalamadingdong was the first time, first hand, I saw real community benefit in arts in Melbourne and jumped on board to massage Mich in her creative vision.
Kathryn Turtle, Community Outreach Officer, Slamalama's Door Girl
Poetry could be the closest humans get to documenting reality. So how could I not jump at the opportunity to be involved with the magic of Slamalama? When you arrive at Slamalama, I'll be the one at the door welcoming you with sweeties and embracive conversation. Once the poetry starts, I'll be the one down the back silently wiping away tears then clapping till her hands break off.
Katie Parker, Score Keeper
Katie's my name and score keeping is my game! I've been score keeping for slamalama since the early days... I just can't live without my monthly dose of Slamalama. The limitless expressions of human beings in the form of poems and stories inspires me to no end. Come say hello. I love meeting new people at Slamalama!
Anna Rees, Graphic Design 2013, www.studiopossum.com
Thanks to Kirsti Whalen for connecting me to her world. Passionate about supporting the arts, it is a real pleasure to collaborate with Michelle on the 2013 Slamalamadindong posters. Freelance projects are my creative outlet from the daily grind… check out www.studiopossum.com.au to see more!
Nomadic Static (Jeevika Rajagopal), Videographer 2011, 2012
I've been documenting the Slamalama antics since its inception. I'll be the one behind the camera melting into a puddle of Poetry pie. One of my slamalama hightlight was when I got up and performed a piece in February 2013 in the Open Mic. The warm embrace a new voice recieves from the Slamalama stage is priceless. I'm a bit of an adventuring nomad and I have a lot of projects I'm working on but you might Slamalama will always be a home to me.