CRUMB #31

Monday 27 January 2025 - Zager & Evans 2525

THE WORD

IT’S ONLY WORDS

Words of protest, words of power, words of peace, words of reason. There are a million words. And there is just one word. So “…tell it and speak it and think it and breathe it…” There are six metal microphones standing like soldiers. Three monument cafes with doorways that are open. And they are all waiting for voices to sing them, some raised in anger and some raised in love. Both come together in the right season, in protest and power, in peace and in reason.

This month of March you will find a metal microphone down the way at NgAnga’s Gallery, The Dangerous Kitchen and The Mussel Inn hosting three trail-blazing events commonly known as Moonshine on the Microphone, The Dangerous Microphone and Acid on the Microphone.

And hot on the heels of the Golden Bay Summer Arts Festival we have the NELSON FRINGE FESTIVAL featuring a wee show of poem and song from locals Leigh Strange and Mark Raffills.

All the details are on the following pages. Check them out and find a microphone somewhere near you and “…tell it and speak it and think it and breath it…” (Bob Dylan)

Peace
Mark
Golden Bay Live Poets Society

Comes A Time

Comes a time to lay them down
the faded pictures hanging low,
to wake up from the strangest dream
and the long night’s travelling show.

Comes a time to close the door
because there’s no one coming through,
faith got lost in a broken heart
and the prayer is long overdue.

Comes a time to make a stand
to let the haka speak
to take the sword of righteousness
turn the tables of liars and cheats

Comes a time to clear the house
to throw away the wasted kiss,
for the iron lips of loneliness
don’t belong in a place like this.

Mark Raffills

LIVE MICROPHONE ACTION

Moonshine on Collingwood

MOONSHINE ON THE MICROPHONE

Sometimes the microphone in Collingwood is a little lonely but nevertheless it is there and it has a voice that never shall fade away. So you are welcome from Rockville and Bainham, Pakawau and Puponga and beyond. Come, mix and mingle at NgaAgs Gallery in Collingwood on Thursday 6 March from 7.00pm. Bring some finger food, some liquid refreshment along with a poem and a song. You’ll be delighted at the cosy bonhomie and the good crac of friends and neighbours.

Moonshine on the Microphone
Thursday 6 March 2025
NgAng’s Gallery, 7.30 pm. Koha

A LIVE MICROPHONE EVENT

MARCHING TO THE DANGEROUS MICROPHONE

Local talent and courageous performances march right up to the DANGEROUS MICROPHONE every Wednesday. A live microphone event like no other at the Dangerous Kitchen where the food and beverage service is fantastic and the hostesses and hosts make you feel right at home. We pass the koha bowl to support our performers on the 30 Minutes of Glory evenings. Here’s the programme!

Wednesday 5 March

DANGEROUS MICROPHONE 6.00pm – 8.00pm. MIX UP THE JAM from 8.00pm. Bring your acoustic instruments and make the kinda music that replenishes the soul and boosts your playing confidence.

Wednesday 12 March

DANGEROUS MICROPHONE 6.00pm – 8.00pm. 30 Minutes of Glory featuring JOHN & DAVE from 8.00pm. Soulful rock and laid-back pop from a couple of excellent musicians and great supporters of the Dangerous Microphone.

Wednesday 19 March

DANGEROUS MICROPHONE 6.00pm – 8.00pm. 30 Minutes of Glory featuring Diana Ní HÍceadha & Collective from 8.00pm. Come back here later for more details.

Wednesday 26 February

DANGEROUS MICROPHONE 6.00pm – 8.00pm. 30 Minutes of Glory featuring JOHN BLACK from 8.00pm.Come back here later for more details.

Gather up some friends, book a table and come on down to the Dangerous Kitchen every Wednesday night from 6.00pm. Performers list open for bookings from 5.00pm.

GB SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL

a couple of poems and a song

The Golden Bay Summer Arts Featival presents an evening of poems and songs showcasing a striking group of local and visiting poets and singers at the Mussel Inn

This two hour special will feature singer Andrew Lockwood from the UK, and poet/musician Neal Bonner, resident of Pupu Valley. Home-grown poets Rose Michel von Dreger, Jude Zwanikken, Emma Callaghan, Kristina Jensen and Mark Raffills craft words of fire along with Kimmy West from the USA. Each performer will present a 15 minute set. Tickets at the door on the night.

Andrew Lockwood
Andrew is a travelling journeyman and songwriter from the UK, performing acoustic originals alongside other artists’ work; sharing and celebrating the healing joy of music.

Neal Bonner
Neal weaves his words around the steel strings of his guitar and creates a strong and resonate tapestry of poem/song that dances to its own tune.

Kimmy West
Spoken word artist Kimmy West performs her work with an engaging warmth and ease. She can be found at the Takaka market on any given Saturday writing
poems for any who request one!

Rose Michel von Dreger
As soft as the breeze and as gentle as the river that flows through the valley, Rose presents her poems with a quiet and sure confidence. Her contributions to GB live poets have been immense.

GB SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL

a couple of poems…continued

Jude Zwanikken
With imagery drawn from the long reach of Farewell Spit
and insights as bright as the stars shining above the lighthouse there, Jude paints word pictures that linger and linger.

Emma Callaghan
Runner up in the National Poetry Slam in 2023, representing Golden Bay, Emma’s comfort-shaking performance is challenging, thought-provoking and inspiring..

Mark Raffills
Mark has crafted words like his life depended on it for a while now. A stalwart of both Nelson and GB Live Poets groups, his uncluttered and unpretentious delivery makes the most of some striking words.

Kristina Jensen, poet, songwriter and oft-times sailor, brings her love of words, performance art and observations of this intimately intense experience called life on earth, together in her poems and songs. She reckons you’ve got to listen to that midnight voice that says, ‘get the pen, get the paper’!!

a couple of poems and a song
The Mussel Inn
Thursday 20 February 2025
7.30 pm. $10 at the door.
https://www.gbarts.org.nz/event-details/a-couple-of-poems-and-a-song

A GOLDEN BAY SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL EVENT

Here’s where you’ll find all the details on all the Festival events: https://www.gbarts.org.nz/all-events

IN BRIEF

WORD SAVVY

All are welcome to Golden Bay’s morning poetry group called “Word Savvy”! They gather every Tuesday at 10:30 till 12pm, at the Takaka library, for a cuppa and poetry. Come and share your poetry or listen to others and be inspired! There is no cost and a drink is provided.

LIVE @ THE MUSSEL INN

JANUARY ‘25
Weds 29th GUSTO GUSTO $20 door
Fri 31st RICHTER CITY REBELS $20 door

FEBRUARY ‘25
Weds 5th BAZURKA $20 door
Sat 8th CLUB MANOUCHE $20 door
Weds 12 SOUTH FOR WINTER $20 door
Sat 15th O AND THE MO & THE DELUXE BAND $25 door
Weds 19th THE BARLEYSHAKES $15 door
Thurs 20th A COUPLE OF POEMS @ A SONG GB ARTS FEST $10 door
Sat 22nd LIVE AND LOCAL – GB ARTS FEST SPECIAL 8pm
Sun 23rd MICHELLE WILLIS + ISABELLE WOLLF $15 door
Weds 26th STEVE APIRANA & MATT WARREN $15 door
Thurs 27th ACID ON THE MICROPHONE – LIVE POETS. Featuring REDWOOD

AT THE MUSSEL INN

BUTLER

That Christchurch band from the 70s is back on the road for a mini tour to celebrate their 55th anniversary.

I first heard Butler playing at the Ngaruawahia Music Festival back in 1973 and now in 2025 they are back, live at the Mussel Inn.

Original guitarists Steve Apirana and Matt Warren (Heidi ), along with Ainsley Apirana on acoustic guitar and flute, will give you a blast from the past with a generous helping of blues and folk rock.

Steve and Ainsley and Matt have all been active on the music front since those days and promise a soulful and exciting evening of fabulous music. There may even be a poem or two from a friend of theirs!

BUTTLER featuring
Steve Apirana, Matt Warren, Ainsley Apirana
Live at Mussel Inn
Wednesday 26 February 2025
8.00pm. $15 door.

GB LIVE POETS SOCIETY

RUSSELL BLACK – on the precipice of oblivion

RUSSELL ‘Hazlito’ BLACK (Ngati Kahungunu, Te Atiawa, Pakeha) will be our guest at the March instalment of ACID ON THE MICROPHONE. Russell was the Golden Bay/Nelson rep at the National Poetry Slam in November last year.

Hazlito was born when Russell died at age 55. On the precipice of oblivion, he found art. First painting, then poetry, then story writing. Through art, he could purge the angst that would otherwise take his body where his soul had already gone. He discovered a self that had not previously existed.

His early poetry was dark and nasty, painful and bitter. Better out than in. But, as he developed, he found, under the mud, was genuine creativity. Even some hope. Occasionally comedy.

Live Poets was his first step away from his misanthropy. A difficult transition that to this day is his only social interaction. He prefers reclusivity. People are not his favourite animal. He has six neuro diverse cats and a crippled Dachshund. He does not find offence in being called a mad cat lady.

Slam poetry has been a test of resilience that has been rewarded by the new connections it has brought him. Perhaps that story might inspire others to challenge themselves. Or perhaps, like Hazlito, just give them a reason to live.

A painter, poet, writer, maker, baker, cook, and gardener, Russell brings his poetry and himself to Acid on the Microphone on Thursday 20 March, Mussel Inn. alanjahjah will open the evening with his music and will be followed by the live microphone session (participants can register on the night from 7.00pm). Russell will take the stage a little after 8.30pm for a 30 minute set.

Acid on the Microphone presents
Russell Black
Live at The Mussel Inn
Thursday 20 March 2025
$5 on the door.
Open Mic session 7.30pm – 8.30
Russell from 8.30pm

RUSSELL BLACK – on the precipice of oblivion

ESSENCE OF AROHA

POSSIBILITIES CENTRE

The Monthly Schedule – FEBRUARY 2025
(subject to change)

Monday nights:
Mahjong games 7pm onwards
Thursdays:
Games 2pm, Worship singing & prayer 3.30pm -5pm, Games 7pm.
Fridays:
5pm Yoga flow.
Saturday 1st:
Soul Collage Workshop.

Café & Community Hub

Open til 10pm most nights for chill out space, Vegan Cafe food and drinks.
See you soon! Love Aroha*

Talk to Aroha on 03 5256111/ 027 2317447 to book a space, book dinner or to offer help in running an event.

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.