SONGS AND POEMS LIVE!
ash, poem and song
Poems & Songs by
MARK RAFFILLS & LEIGH STRANGE
Thursday 29 May 2025
Acid on the Microphone
Mussel Inn
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.
This one-hour show, originally crafted for the Nelson Fringe Festival 2025, brings together one local musician in Leigh Strange and one local poet in Mark Raffills. Their collaboration came about after an open mic session at the Mussel Inn a couple of years back where Leigh was singing Janis Joplin and Mark was telling poems and thinking these voices might work well together.
“It took some time to get organised,” says Leigh, “but having the courage to commit to a deadline, like the Fringe Festival, helped us turn our music and words into dance partners.”
The resultant show of mostly original songs and poems has a relaxed and intimate feel about it. Nothing rushed or too urgent. It’s lounge-room setting allows the audience to sit back and soak up the words and music created by Leigh and Mark.
As one observer noted, ‘their voices 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.’
Another opportunity to catch our own community in action. Love to see you there.
Ash, Poem and Song
Leigh Strange and Mark Raffills
Thursday 29 May. 7.30 pm.
Mussel Inn
$5 at the door.
