Phantom Billstickers’ beloved one-day countrywide celebration of poetry is back for its 26th year, and it’s gearing up to deliver an extraordinary array of events that promise to soothe, delight and uplift the nation on Friday 25 August.
There’s a lot going on around Aotearoa – but here’s a look at what local events are happening.
Poetry arrived in search of me: Write On Young Writers Online
The Write On team works with hundreds of young poets each year. Gail Ingram, has selected some poems that have stood out from 2023 workshops so far and has curated them online in time for National Poetry Day.
Featuring young poets from ages 6 to 18.
“And it was at that age … Poetry arrived in search of me.” Pablo Neruda
Entry Details: Free access
Date/Times: Live Online on August 25th
Location: https://www.schoolforyoungwriters.org/blog
Contact: Heather McQuillan schoolforyoungwriters@gmail.com
Further Info: Event: https://www.facebook.com/schoolforyoungwriters/
Unruly Memories
Buildings hold memories, histories and stories as much as pages do. Nathan Joe, Claudia Jardine, Isla Huia (Te Āti Haunui a-Pāpārangi, Uenuku), Frankie McMillan and Ariana Tikao (Kāi Tahu) come together to weave words within the bricks, mortar and stone of The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora. Our special guided tour will take you through familiar and new haunts alike, with our all-star poets responding to spaces with poetic recollections and reactions. Afterwards, come together with our storytellers to share a drink in the Great Hall.
Entry details: $36 full / $31 concession (service fees apply). all ages. Book now via wordchristchurch.co.nz
Date/times: Friday 25 August, 6pm – 7.30pm
Location: the Arts Centre, Worcester Boulevard, Christchurch
Contact: WORD Christchurch, admin@wordchristchurch.co.nz
Further Info: https://wordchristchurch.co.nz/programme/unruly-memories/
Canterbury Poets’ Collective Lambing Season
They may be lambs, but these young Canterbury poets are shaking tales and getting noticed! The Canterbury Poets’ Collective brings you LAMBING SEASON, some of the best Canterbury poets under-25 to celebrate National Poetry Day this year.
Four guest poets – SARAH-KATE SIMONS, BEN O’CONNELL, ISLA HUIA, and LIZ AYREY – plus an OPEN MIC exclusively for our under-25s and MCed by current Ōtautahi slam champ CLAUDIA JARDINE!
Mark your calendar now. You don’t want to miss this one.
Event Details: Entry cost $10 adult, $5 student, under 12s free. All proceeds go to help the Canterbury Poets’ Collective bring more poets and more poetry to more people. Audience: Recommended for Over 12s.
Date/Times: Fri 18 Aug 6.30pm-8.30pm
Location: Eastside Gallery, 388 Worcester St, Christchurch
Contact Details: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cantypoet
Further info: Facebook Event address: https://www.facebook.com/events/1709513786164381
Naming the Sirens
Featuring four worldly women at WORD Christchurch 2023 – Jeni Curtis, Janet Wainscott, Marisa Cappetta and Gail Ingram – and their four new books from Sudden Valley Press. A show curated by Ockham NZ Book Award Winner, Joanna Preston. A chorus in poetry calling you, singing you, warning you, naming the joys, miseries and desires of women through time. Be warned. Be wooed. Be wowed.
Event Details: Free entry. All ages.
Date/Times: 6pm-7pm Thursday 24 Aug 2023
Location: TSB Space Tūranga, 60 Cathedral Square, Christchurch
More Info: http://wordchristchurch.co.nz/programme/naming-the-sirens