CRUMB #32

WEDNESDAY 5 MARCH

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

Moonshine on Collingwood

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.

MARCHING TO THE DANGEROUS MICROPHONE

NELSON FRINGE FESTIVAL

lines & lyrics

 Poems & Songs by
MARK RAFFILLS & LEIGH STRANGE
Nelson Fringe Festival, Monday 10 MARCH,
6.00pm. Refinery Art Space, Nelson  $18.

The soulful voice and late-night piano of Leigh Strange meet the star-spangled poems of  Mark Raffills to create moments of sadness and joy; of  despair and redemption.

Their voices fill the space where the lonely wander, where the moon filters through the dark shadows in thin rays of light; where a silver coin is sufficient to buy back a soul grown cold.

BOOK TICKETS HERE: https://www.trybooking.com/nz/events/landing/14468?

NELSON  FRINGE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME HERE: https://nelsonfringe.co.nz/

lines & lyrics

Nelson Fringe Festival

Ravi the Poet

For My Family, And Yours is a deeply personal exploration of the relationships that shape us, told through the poetic storytelling and heartfelt music of Aucklander  Ravi the Poet.

With guitar in hand, Ravi the Poet weaves together his own family stories filled with love, gratitude and difficult truths. As he reflects on his fantasies and fears of fatherhood, an innocent childhood with his sister and the sacrifices of his mother, you are invited to reminisce on your own experiences of family and love.

 

Saturday 8 March. 6.00pm
Refinery Art Space
TICKETS: $18 https://www.trybooking.com/nz/events/landing/14466?
NELSON  FRINGE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME HERE: https://nelsonfringe.co.nz/

Ravi the Poet

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

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.