Exceptional Talent Supports Festival

Devonport
Food and Wine Festival
In association with
Columbard

MEDIA RELEASE
14th February 2006

Exceptional Talent Supports Festival Through New Addition

Michael Hurst, John Campbell, Kevin Ireland and Jennifer Ward-Lealand are just a few involved in an exciting new addition to The Devonport Food and Wine Festival 2006 thanks to the Michael King Writers’ Centre Trust. This Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 February poems, short stories and extract readings by some of New Zealand’s most respected authors, poets, and celebrity speakers will create a welcome edition to the 17th annual Devonport Food and Wine Festival.

The 16 performers have donated their time to create a renewed ambience for the Festival. Max Cryer, one of New Zealand’s most prominent entertainers and broadcasters; Bob Harvey, Mayor of Waitakere City Council; Dr Brian Edwards with over 40 years experience in television and radio and Karyn Hay, radio personality and novelist are among those who will be donating their time.

The Saturday performances Master of Ceremonies will be writer Gordon McLauchlan, who is chairman of the trust; and writer, journalist, publisher and trust member Christine Cole Catley on Sunday.

Performing on the rotunda stage near the protected Windsor Reserve Morton Bay Fig tree and surrounded by some of the New Zealand’s finest wineries and food providers this is an assured attraction for Festival patrons. Come laze on the grass with a glass of bubbly, breads and dips while listening to excerpts from talented New Zealanders supporting other creative New Zealander’s through proceeds from the Festival going to the Michael King Writers’ Centre Trust.

The Centre will be the first facility of its kind in NZ. Based in the Signalman’s House, a heritage building, on Mt Victoria, Devonport, the centre bears the name of acclaimed author and historian Michael King, who died in 2004. Already the centre, supported by Creative NZ, has had three writers in residence, and expects to appoint the first full fellow next year, after approved alterations have been completed. It will then be able to accommodate visiting writers and diverse activities including mentoring and seminars. Rotary’s contribution will aid the completion of a hospitality suite.

Christine Cole Catley, says “Michael King, who did so much to help writers, often stayed in Devonport. He would be so touched by what is being done in his name.”

So come and show your support for creative New Zealander’s while listening to some of them read for you in the idyllic surroundings of Windsor Reserve, Devonport. There will be eight readers each day four from 12:30pm-1pm and four from 2:30-3pm both Saturday and Sunday on the Rotunda Stage.

Gates open at 11am both Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $25 and are available from Ticketmaster (0800 111 999 or www.ticketmaster.co.nz) or from your local Post Shop. Tickets will be available, from the gate, on the day for $25 but do not include a free glass of wine. For more information and a full list of Stallholders please visit: www.devonportwinefestival.co.nz.

www.columbard.com
www.northshorecity.govt.nz

ENDS

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