CRUMB #40

DECEMBER 2025 - JANUARY 2026

THE WORD

ANGELS AT THE MICROPHONE

Whatever story we take to heart, whatever song we sing, angels at the microphone, shouting heavens joy, are a sight to behold. I know that sometimes we can be just a little timid but when we stand and shout it out, there’s a certain joy that comes with the speaking.

Courage emerges slowly, one hesitant word at a time and then it flows like a stream of starlight and we ride on its current all the way through the wilderness to the candle burning in the opening that is the barn door.

And the door will be open during December ’25 and January ’26 at The Dangerous Kitchen in Takaka, at the monthly gathering of live poets and musicians at the Mussel Inn in Onekaka and at the feast of food, poem and song at NgAna’s Gallery in Collingwood. It is the joy we seek; that peace and contentment which sustains us through the fire and rain.

It is the season of celebration and song; the season of carol and prayer, poem and candle light. Share it one with the other if you have a mind to. Share it at one of these lowly open microphone sessions coming your way over the next two months.

Peace to you
Mark Raffills
Golden Bay Live Poets Society

A Christmas Sonnet

Mother sings a soft, broken lullaby
Father holds fast to the rough, wooden staff
Begotten through the darkness, one is born
A babe wrapped in gleanings of straw and chaff

Some say he was the wild, unknown God
Born of the universe and hidden heart
Others that he was the son of one love
A stretched canvas holding the finest art

Cherished, the light of the blinding moment
Common folk kneel in profound joy so brief
Their breath stalled in a child’s timeless eye
How soon is the moment lost in the grief

Pride prowls the darkest of hearts like a thief
Humble is the innocence of belief

Mark Raffills /2025

LIVE MIC ACTION

APRIL MOON IN COLLINGWOOD

with POT LUCK FEASTING

Moonshine on the Microphone with Pot Luck Feasting is happening this Thursday 2 April! The feasts have been fit for queens and kings and the poems and songs and discourses almost spellbinding! Seems the moon over Collingwood is smiling once again.

You are invited to come on down to NgAng’s Gallery in Collingwood. Bring some food to share, something to drink, a poem or two and a song to sing. Or if singing is not your thing, just try humming!

The POT LUCK FEAST will start around 6.00pm with open mic kicking in from around 7.00 pm.

Love to see you again if you can make it down from the valleys and down from the coast and down from around the corner.

Moonshine on the Microphone
Thursday 2 April 2026
NgAng’s Gallery
POT LUCK FEAST – 6.00pm
Open Mic – 7.00pm.
Koha

APRIL MOON IN COLLINGWOOD

DANGEROUS MICROPHONE

ACOUSTIC ONE NIGHT ONLY

Dangerous Microphone goes Acoustic

They say it is getting a little quiet in here! But this Wednesday, 1 April, is no joke – THE DANGEROUS MICROPHONE will be going a little bit acoustic with a single microphone and a busking amp!

These will indeed be courageous performances and strong, silent community connections you can’t buy!  So make sure you line up for your quiet dose of entertainment, challenge and pure joy for the seasonal month of April.

Make the Dangerous Kitchen your go to place every Wednesday where the food and beverage service is fantastic and the hostesses and hosts make you feel right at home. Meet your neighbours and and enjoy the on-going connections with travellers and visitors – ‘…and the seasons, they go round and round…”

Performance list open from 5.00pm.
Remember, it’s open mic – all night!

Wednesday  1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 April 
DANGEROUS MICROPHONE 
Open Mic All Night 6.00pm – 9.00pm. 

 

 

ACOUSTIC ONE NIGHT ONLY

SOME OTHER GIGS AND EVENTS

SOME MORE GIGS

A barrel of fabulous live shows for the month of April

Wednesday 1 April, 7.30pm. $20 door
LIZ BRAGGINS (piano) AND JOHN WRIGHT (cricket bat guitar) 

Saturday 4 April, 8.00pm. $15 door
THE RIWAKA HIGH ROLLERS 

Monday 6 April, 7.00pm
SINGALONG ‘ROUND THE PIANO with CRAIG DENHAM 

Thursday 9 April, 7.30pm
QUIZ NIGHT –  All welcome

Sunday 12 April, 2.00pm
MR FUNGUS – Thrillingly ridiculous silly show for kids of all ages. $10 tickets

Monday 13 April, 7.00pm
SINGALONG ‘ROUND THE PIANO with CRAIG DENHAM 

Saturday 18 April, 8.00pm
THE KUGELS $20 door

Monday 20 April, 7.00pm
SINGALONG ‘ROUND THE PIANO with CRAIG DENHAM 

Thursday 23 April, 7.30pm
QUIZ NIGHT –  All welcome

Saturday 25 April, 8.00pm
YOUNG MOON $20 tickets $25 door

Monday 27 April, 7.00pm
SINGALONG ‘ROUND THE PIANO with CRAIG DENHAM 

Thursday 30 April 7.00pm. $5
ACID ON THE MICROPHONE – LIVE POETS featuring THE HAEWAI COLLECTIVE. 

all the details can be found on the website, here:
https://www.musselinn.co.nz/Entertainment/entertainment.html

SOME MORE GIGS

WORD SAVVY POETRY GROUP

Every Tuesday, Takaka Library. 10.30 am to 12.00pm.
Write poetry, read poetry, bring your favourite poem and discover new poets with other poetry lovers.

SCRIBES ON THE MIC

Next SCRIBES ON THE MIC open mic at Revite Cafe in Motueka will be happening in May. More details in next issue of Crumb.

LIVE MIC ACTION

In March there is Acid on the Microphone

Here’s the March edition of Acid on the Microphone with our wildly entertaining open mic session for poets and singer/songwriters where a whole lot of good vibes happen.  Poets get to speak of those things that matter (speaking of which I wonder sometimes where are  the poets, why have our voices gone silent, why do we let the microphone stand alone?) and singer/songwriters get to lift our souls with their song.

As always, the open mic always uncovers  some unexpected treats as new and established performers present their work.  Participants can put their names on the performance list on the night. Musician alanjahjah will kick the evening off from around 7.15pm with dinner music to dine to.

 ACID ON THE MICROPHONE is presented by Golden Bay Live Poets Society and gives you poems, stories and music too!

ACID ON THE MICROPHONE presents
Open Mic  from 7.30pm
Thursday 19 March 2026
$5 on the door.  Mussel Inn

 

In March there is Acid on the Microphone

Make Use of CRUMB

subscribe to CRUMB

In CRUMB you will find all the events sponsored by Golden Bay Live Poets Society plus a few other gigs and community happenings.

If you would like to be kept up to date with open microphone events happening around the Bay, then subscribe to CRUMB here

And you can even submit a gig or event that you want us to know about.

 

 

 

 

 

GOT A GIG, EVENT, NEW BOOK or RECORDING COMING UP ??

Got events or gigs coming up that you’d like to let CRUMB readers know about, please email the details, jpeg pics and jpeg posters to: mark@drycrust.com  or use the link below:

submit a gig or event 

And if you have a new book of  poems, stories coming out, or a new recording of songs, let us know and we can let our small but dedicated readership in on the action.