An intimate performance where local writers Maki Morita, Matilda Sutherland, Cormac Kirby, Ivy Crago & Sam Lieblich roll up their sleeves and take on the battle against AI, as part of the Emerging Writers’ Festival.

Like it or not, AI is now part of our everyday lives.

Does this mean we're entering a dark new epoch, or a utopian world? Does AI signal the end of original thought? Is AI the enemy?

Maki Morita: Maki Morita is a writer and performance-maker of Japanese descent on unceded Wurundjeri country. Her play Trash Pop Butterflies, Dance Dance Paradise debuted at Theatre Works in 2023. Her prose and poetry has appeared in Cordite, Island Magazine, The Suburban Review, Mascara Literary Review, Portside Review, and more. Maki graduated with a Master of Theatre (writing) from the Victorian College of the Arts.

Matilda Sutherland: Matilda Sutherland is an artist based in Melbourne, Australia. Matilda’s creative studio and blog, Girl On Road, serves as a vessel for projects in HCI and code poetics. In 2021 Matilda began performing original punk rock and country music under her birth name. Through all disciplines Matilda brings poetry, whether it be creating evocative digital spaces or performance, there is a common autobiographical thread exploring what it is to be alive both on and off the screen. Her work has been performed and exhibited via Runway Journal; HLCI, Montreal; ICLC, Utrecht; The Lock Up, Newcastle and MARS Gallery, Melbourne.

Cormac Kirby: Cormac Kirby is a poet and urban planner who is interested in multi-disciplinary poetry and spatial poetry. He works in textual, concrete and audio-visual forms and is interested in how where we live influences our understanding of the universe. He has been published by Rabbit Poetry and No More Poetry and has also been shown at Blindside gallery and TCB gallery.

Ivy Crago: Ivy Crago is a Theatre-Maker, Writer, and Producer based in Melbourne/Naarm. A 2022 graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts in Theatre, their work is playful and imaginative, often inspired by the absurdity within the mundane. Ivy has presented work at Melbourne Fringe Hub, Darebin’s FUSE Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival and more. As a poet, they draw from the natural world, with work published in Devotion Zine and Sour Cherry, and performed at venues such as Merri Creek Tavern. They also have experience in marketing, producing, and programming, with roles at Midsumma Festival and the Victorian Pride Centre.

Sam Lieblich: Sam Lieblich is a writer, psychiatrist, and artist based between Narrm and Yolŋu country. His clinical practice is oriented by Lacanianism, Marxism, and a commitment to the singularity and the radical freedom of each human subject. Recently his art and writing tries to re-situate human desire in or against the algorithm. His work has been shown at The National Gallery of Victoria, The Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Photo2022, Futures, Blindside, 99%, Bunjil Place and Coconut Studios. He has written for numerous publications within literature, science, and the humanities.

VENUE INFO

Shows are Standing unless clearly stated. Check Ticket Type when purchasing.

Howler Bar & Grill
 The kitchen will be serving a full menu from 5pm (Tues - Fri) and 2pm (Sat - Sun) till late including vegan and vegetarian options.
 You can view the delicious offerings available by clicking here.

Booking are not essential but recommended here.

Accessibility
 Howler is Accessible.
 Both Garden and Theatre are 100% accessible for patrons including a central restroom and easy curbside access for car services. 

This venue accepts companion cards. Simply purchase your ticket and contact Moshtix to arrange access for your Companion. 

Parking
 A park and ride, council operated carpark is located immediately outside of Howler's doors.

Public Transport
Howler is conveniently located just a two minute walk from both the Route 19 Coburg tram (stop 21), and Jewel train station on the Upfield line.

Bicycle
We adjoin the Upfield Bike Path and have many designated bike parks on site.