Top Writers in the Wairarapa
Wairarapa Word, a literary event free and open to the public, announces its line-up for the rest of 2013: Anne Taylor, L E Scott, and Hinemoana Baker. Come along for a free afternoon on the first Sunday at 3pm at Almo’s Books, 42 High Street, Carterton.
Anne Taylor, painter and writer based in Greytown – 6 October
An active visual artist with many exhibitions, Anne Taylor has collaborated with Aratoi Museum, Main Artery, Greytown Arts Festival, Wai Art and King Street Artworks. Taylor is also an active writer, with feature articles published in Wairarapa News, Wairarapa Lifestyle and other periodicals. ‘Opportunity’, her solo exhibition at Aratoi Museum (11 Oct to 10 Nov), will present both her paintings and poetry.
L E Scott, African-American author based in Wellington – 3 November
Born in Georgia, USA, L E Scott (Lewis Scott) is a jazz poet/writer and exceptional performer, collaborating with writers and musicians in more than 40 countries. He is the MC of the longstanding monthly event ‘Poetry at Meow’ in Wellington (which previously met at the Ballroom Cafe). Gwendolyn Brooks has called Scott “inspired, stimulating and aware” and Apirana Taylor says Scott’s writing “tears at the heart and opens the mind”.
Hinemoana Baker, author and musician, based on Kapiti Coast – 1 December
An extraordinary talent, Hinemoana Baker has recorded five CDs, published two books of poetry, produced the weekly show ‘Waiata’ for Radio New Zealand, performed at WOMAD, and has appeared internationally at writers’ festivals, book fairs, and arts residencies. As a performer, she has shared the stage with such luminaries as Bill Manhire, Jenny Bornholdt, Don McGlashan, Mahinaarangi Tocker and Kiri Te Kanawa. Hinemoana Baker “has a remarkable voice, velvety and musical, cool and laconic all at once,” writes David Eggleton in the New Zealand Listener.
BACKGROUND
Wairarapa Word presents a featured writer on the first Sunday at every month at 3pm. There is also an open session, when members of the public can present short pieces of writing of any genre aloud. An open platform for expression and discussion, the event is free, in the best sense of the word. There is no other event of its kind in the Wairarapa.
Hosts: Madeleine Slavick and Simon Fleck
Venue: Almo’s Books, 42 High Street, Carterton, 379 7103
Supported by: Creative Communities Scheme, Carterton District
Media contacts:
Madeleine Slavick, author, organiser / mmslavick@gmail.com / 370 1611 / 027 5555 32
Steve Laurence, owner, Almo’s Books / info@almobooks.co.nz / 379 7103