The first Maitland heat of the Hunter Poetry Slam has been hailed a success, with more than 40 people enjoying a collection of creative rhymes and renditions.
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Hunter Poetry Slam's Christina Robberds said organisers were thrilled by the turnout at Bikesmith & Espresso Bar last Thursday night.
"It was amazing. We had such a great crowd with about 40 people and 12 competitors," she said.
"We had a very unexpected event with a tie for third place."
Ultimately, a poetry 'slam-off' took place between Maitland local Helen Hopcroft and Newcastle-based poet Alex Martin.
Mr Martin took the title for third place and will be continuing onto the regional final next month.
Holly Jamader took first place with an animated two-minute run down of a short lived relationship.
It was the first time performing her poetry in public.
While Jan Iwaszkiewicz, a poet in residence as part of the Maitland Verses Program took second place.
"Those three will now go onto the regional final as part of the This Is Not Art festival," Ms Robberds said.
"This is the first time that the program has expanded. In July, there were six workshops around the Hunter region.
"The idea of expanding the program is about promoting the poetry scene across the Hunter."
There will be three more heats in the Hunter Poetry Slam leading up to the Hunter Regional Final next month. The regional final will be held at Newcastle City Hall on Friday, October 4 from 7pm to 9.30pm.