SPOKEN WORD PERFORMANCE
WASH AWAY THE STAINS
presented by Golden Bay Live Poets Society
A spoken word performance with
Emma Callaghan & Mark Raffills
“Poetry is the lifeblood of rebellion, revolution, and the raising of consciousness.” American poet and civil rights activist Alice Walker
Inspired by the long shadows of Walker’s ideals, Golden Bays poets Emma Callaghan and Mark Raffills join forces to paint, via the spoken word, their own revolution, to name the unnameable and to wash away the stains that blot our social, political and spiritual landscape.
They bring their show, Wash Away The Stains, to the Mussel Inn on Thursday 13 June after first giving it voice at the Nelson Fringe Festival in March.
Representing Golden Bay/Nelson in the NZ National Poetry Slam, Emma Callaghan made it through to the second round in 2022 and on the way won the ‘Spirit of the Slam’ Award. She placed second overall in 2023. Emma’s poetry captures her experiences as a mixed-race woman of colour living in a divisive world striving for oneness. Her poems speak to white privilege, Afro hair, reggae music and the African diaspora. Check out Emma’s website.
“Many would be tempted to tackle topics such as discrimination with anger or frustration,” wrote Wesley Hollis in his review of Wash Away The Stains at the recent Nelson Fringe Festival. “But Emma’s readings are always calm and measured, yet never lacking in passion. Her words are powerful and important.”
Mark Raffills has toured and performed his poems throughout NZ including Waitaki and Nelson Arts Festivals, NZ and Nelson Fringe Festivals, Canterbury Poets Collective and Poetry Live. He has been a finalist in NZ Poetry Slams, self-published three books of poems, while his weekly video poems on Facebook have attracted over 120,000 views in the last few years. Check out Mark’s website, and Facebook.
Wesley Hollis, in his review of Wash Away The Stains, notes, “Raffills’ delivery is powerful – he knows how to bring his words to life. He plays with language, using rhyme, alliteration and repetition as well as fascinating combinations of words to tell stories and paint mental pictures.”
“Definitely a tall order, being a poet of the revolution,” notes Raffills. “But if we cower in silence in the face of crimes against humanity, we too will be held accountable for the crimes of those who commit them. Emma and myself, we’re learning to stand against the wind!
“It is a privilege to be joining Emma for this, Golden Bay Live Poets, one night only, Mussel Inn show.
WASH AWAY THE STAINS
Emma Callaghan & Mark Raffills
THURSDAY 13 JUNE 2024.
The Mussel Inn 7.30PM. $5
Open Mic 7.30-8.00 pm
“Mark and Emma complement each other well as performers, each bringing something different and vital to the stage. Wash Away the Stains has helped to remind me of the important role live poetry has to play in the literary scene. If you’re interested in capturing a little slice of this magic, I would keep an eye out for Emma and Mark at future poetry events in Nelson and nationwide.” WESLEY HOLLIS, Theatreview, 18 March 2024. https://www.theatreview.org.nz/
Acid On the Microphone presents
WASH AWAY THE STAINS
Emma Callaghan & Mark Raffills
THURSDAY 18 APRIL
Open Mic 7.30-8.00 pm
Emma & Mark from 8.00pm
The Mussel Inn $10
