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

APPETITE FOR MOONSHINE & POT LUCK FEASTING?

Moonshine on the Microphone with Pot Luck Feasting is  starting up again this Thursday 5 February.

If you reckon we should continue our monthly gatherings throughout 2026, how about letting us know with your presence? Do you think there is a need for some open mic activity in this end of the Bay? Does it still have a role to play in community building? I know we cant always make it to every event but do let us know if you think we should continue these lovely monthly gatherings.

So, speak with your feet – or car –  bring some food to share, something to drink, a poem or two and a song to sing down to NgAng’s Gallery in Collingwood.

The POT LUCK FEAST will start at  7.00pm around the outside fire.
Open mic from 8.00 pm and then our featured guest – Greg, aka SARU G – will perform from 9.00pm.

Love to see you if you can make it!

Moonshine on the Microphone
Thursday 5 February 2026
NgAng’s Gallery
POT LUCK FEAST – 7.00pm
Open Mic – 8.00pm.
SARU G – 9.00pm
Koha

APPETITE FOR MOONSHINE & POT LUCK FEASTING?

DANGEROUS MICROPHONE

2026 at the DANGEROUS MICROPHONE

Rolling into 2026 the Dangerous Microphone will continue to give you courageous performances and strong community connections which promise to entertain, challenge and inform for the remaining weeks of a wonderful summer.

Going to give the 30 Minute of Glory sessions a rest in February so every week will be pure open microphone action from 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm.

So 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 make welcoming connections with travellers and visitors.

Performance list open from 5.00pm.
Remember, even angels sing at the mic!

Wednesday 4, 11, 18 and 25 February
DANGEROUS MICROPHONE 
Open Mic All Night 6.00pm – 9.00pm. 

Hey, and our session on 18 February is the opening day of the GB Summer Arts Festival!

 

 

2026 at the DANGEROUS MICROPHONE

SOME OTHER GIGS AND EVENTS

SOME MORE GIGS


presents
GOLDEN BAY SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL

Wednesday 18 February to Sunday 22 February 2026.
Details of all the glorious shows and workshops can be found here:
https://www.gbarts.org.nz/all-events

A barrel of fabulous live shows for the month of February.
all the details can be found on the website, here:
https://www.musselinn.co.nz/Entertainment/entertainment.html

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.

SOME MORE GIGS

NZ FRINGE FESTIVAL – WELLINGTON

ASH, POEM & SONG (Mohua / Golden Bay) The songs of Leigh Strange and Mark Raffills’ poems fill the space where the lonely wander, where the moon filters through the dark shadows in thin rays of light; where a small coin is sufficient to buy back a soul grown cold. Catch us at the NZ Fringe Festival in Wellington, Tuesday 24 February, Fringe Bar, 26 Allen Street, 6.00 pm. Tickets: www.fringe.co.nz or door sales.

SCRIBES ON THE MIC

Next SCRIBES ON THE MIC open mic at Revite Cafe in Motueka is on Saturday 21 February.

LIVE MIC ACTION

a new year of acid on the microphone

In this month of February it is OPEN MIC ALL NIGHT with a guest appearance from ANDREW LOCKWOOD.  Our open microphone sessions open the way for poets and singer/songwriters to speak and sing those things of the heart that matter.  So, be in the house at the Mussel Inn , Thursday 19th for the February edition of Acid on the Microphone.

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 All Night from 7.30pm
Thursday 19 February 2026
$5 on the door.  Mussel Inn

 

a new year of 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.