Minarets Journal & National Poetry Day
Over the past year-and-a-bit, Minarets Journal has been trying to do something different with contemporary poetry in New Zealand. By producing a small and close-knit
quarterly publication that doesn’t intimidate by size or impenetrability, Minarets has enjoyed successful sales through independent retail outlets such as Time Out Bookstore in Auckland. Editors Chris
Holdaway and Lauren Strain have also been engaged with numerous international poets, bringing in exciting foreign work
that otherwise wouldn’t reach these shores, and resulting in distributing the work of New Zealand poets overseas.
Alluring design by Chris Corson-Scott, one of New Zealand’s premier art photographers, has also been a significant part
of success.
As well as the print journal, Minarets has been working to host vibrant reading events that get away from the traditional and even sterile kind of
sit-down-shut-up affair much of the public associate with poetry readings. The latest venture comes for New Zealand
National Poetry Day this year (Friday 16th August), housed in the substantial artist-run warehouse space known
affectionately as the Union Street Event Centre (47 Union St, Auckland CBD). With a number of New Zealand’s best poets
even flying in on tour, this is certain to be one of the highlights of the festival:
Ross Brighton (Akl/Chch) Ashleigh Young (Wgt) Iain Britton (Akl)
Gregory Kan (Wgt) Sarah Natalie Webster (NZ/USA) Samuel Carey (Akl)
Additional features will include a number of large-format (A1) poster poems installed for absent friends, and a special
presentation of two series of macro poetry by hard hitting US artists Michael Hessel-Mial (Atlanta, GA) and James Ganas
(Seattle, WA).
The event is free, and some drinks will be provided, but otherwise there is BYO permission to keep celebrations going as
long as people should choose to.
Doors at 7pm — readings when we reach critical mass — visual installations all night.
Ross Brightonhttp://ignoretheventriloquists.blogspot.com
Iain Brittonhttp://iainbritton.co.nz
Samuel Careyhttp://lazslol.tumblr.com
Sarah Natalie Websterhttp://sarahnataliewebster.com
Ashleigh Younghttp://eyelashroaming.com
James Ganashttp://jamesganas.tumblr.com
Michael Hessel-Mialhttp://michaelhesselmial.tumblr.com
Gregory Kan does not, to my knowledge, have a website.
Our designer/artist, Chris Corson-Scott can be found online at http://chriscorsonscott.com
ENDS