Wellington's Third Celebration Of Communication

Media Release
28 July 2005
For immediate release

Wellington's Third Annual Celebration Of Communication

The Word Collective and Thistle Hall present:

The Word Festival 2005
Sunday 14 – Saturday 20 August 2005

"a delicious helping from a bunch of adventurous boundary crossers"
The Package

Now in its third year, New Zealand 's only Word Festival returns to Thistle Hall in mid-August. Brought to you by Wellington's Word Collective, The Word Festival 2005 is a celebration of communication from spoken word to visual art, korero to poetry. Encompassing workshops, an exhibition, a word market, readings and performances, the festival runs from Sunday 14 to Saturday 20 August offering a range of opportunities to peruse, participate and perform alongside the new voices of the city's spoken word scene.

More than just a poetry festival, The Word Festival is a week of storytelling, whai korero, discussion, language and community building. The festival is inspired by the effusive and talkative time before television sucked the conversation out of our living rooms.

The Word Festival creates a new paradigm for the enjoyment and expression of the spoken word in Wellington. Come out of the cold, through the doors of Thistle Hall and into the warmth of shared experience through the spoken word. All events are ent ry by koha or donation, making it Wellington's most affordable, accessible and exciting winter festival.

Festival highlights include the WordArt Exhibition, which runs from Sunday 14 – Saturday 20 August. The festival walls are bolstered and beautified by visual art inspired by words and stories, in the best tradition of Hotere and McCahon. Come down and yarn with the artists about their works at the Welcoming Words festival opening on Thursday 18 August.

Two practical and informative workshops are held on Friday 19 August. Wellington City Council's Get Set Go! for Artists is an essential starting point for any event organiser working in the arts. Bring along the seed or idea for your own festival, show, publication or programme and make it flourish in this practical networking and skills sharing session. The Real Story, presented by Standing Ovation, features published writers including Jane Bowron, Hinemoana Baker and Cleve Cameron talking about their personal pathway to publication. Workshop registration recommended.

Fireside Korero on Friday 18 August could well be Wellington's biggest single open mike event. 2004's Festival saw over 40 people share their words in the warm glow of the metaphorical fire. The Word Market on Saturday 20 August follows the tradition of Thistle Hall's flea market albeit one taken over by a bunch of poets, zine makers, t-shirt printers, songwriters and more. Your chance to purchase original art and literature at this welcoming market.

"The Word Festival is a nexus point for a community of people who revel in language, speech, rhythm and soul – a place where people can drop in for a look, and are welcome to stay for the ride", says Festival director Craig Ireson

For a full festival programme see below.

ENDS

The Word Festival 2005
Programme of Events

Thistle Hall, Corner of Cuba and Arthur Streets
All events entry by koha

WordArt
Exhibition open daily Sunday 14 – Saturday 20 August, 11am – 6pm

Wild and wilful words collide with walls in the annual WordArt Exhibition. Featuring works from many local artists both established and new, including Don Smith, Gloryroad Topham, Johanna Sanders and Will Frew. Curated by Markus McIntyre,

Welcoming Words: Festival Opening
Thursday 18 August, 6pm

Join us at Thistle Hall to celebrate the opening of the third annual Word Festival. A chance to view the WordArt Exhibition and get a taste of the upcoming festival.

Get Set Go! Events Management Workshop for Artists
Friday 19 August, 9am – 12pm

An essential events workshop for people running community based arts events and programmes, whether it's a new idea or if you need some fresh inspiration to improve an existing event. Get Set Go covers audience development, funding options, marketing and publicity. Bring your great idea or event to workshop on the day- - whether it's a Fringe Festival show, a party in the park, a Shakespearean inspired poetry slam or an all night hip hop danceathon, this workshop will get you well down the planning road.
Registrations essential: email wordcollective@gmail.com or phone 389 8177

Standing Ovation Writers Workshop 'The Real Story'
Friday 19 August, 2pm – 5pm

Standing Ovation presents the third in a celebrated series of writers workshops for the Word Festival, giving practical advice from the industry. Published writers give the real story about their journey from brain to book. The Real Story gives you insight and tips on finding your own path in an industry that isn't as easy or romantic as some would believe.
Registrations recommended: email wordcollective@gmail.com or phone 389 8177

Fireside Korero
Friday 19 August, 7pm

A luscious and lively open mic experience. Bring a favourite poem, song, story and cushion to share around the metaphorical fire. Turn up early to register to speak or just sit back, relax and enjoy the words.

Word Market
Saturday 20 August, 10am – 2pm

A flea market for words, a swap meet for local word artists. Buy, sell and swap original poetry, art, zines, cds and comics. Open mic and music during the market.

Word Forum
Saturday 20 August, 2pm - 4pm

An open forum for discussion, dialogue and a nice cup of tea. What is the Word Collective? What is its future? What place does politics have in spoken word? What shall we have for lunch? These questions and more will be tabled (along with the lunch!) at the Word Forum. All welcome.

Howltearoa
Saturday 20 August, 7pm

A strange brew of festival favorites, blasts from the festival's past and glimpses into the future of the spoken word in Wellington. Howltearoa is Aotearoa's very own beatific cry of unabashed and unrestrained expression. Featuring Craig Ireson and Andrew Savage (Karaoke Poetry, Best of the Fringe 2005), DC Boyle (Lance A. Boyle,) Matthew Simcock (Mihi,) Ciara Mulholland (Sniper, Shakespeare's Bitch) and much more.

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Word Festival 2005
A Celebration of Communication
Thursday 18 – Saturday 20 August
Thistle Hall, Corner of Cuba and Arthur Streets
All events entry by koha

ENDS

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