Geoffrey stars at Ficfest
The 14th Ficfest Annual Poetry Night was held recently at the Old Drouin Butter Factory as part of the Drouin Ficifolia Festival.
The star of the show, Geoffrey Graham from Eaglehawk, was an energetic entertainer and MC’d the show brilliantly. No one could fall asleep with Geoffrey’s poetry, music and whip cracking.
Geoffrey exclaimed that, after many years in the business, this night was the most diverse poetry night he had ever attended.
Baw Baw Poetry Group members Keith Osborne and Lilly Rhymer set the scene with an exposition on the theme “The Story of Poetry”, taking the audience on a journey through space and time illustrated with poetry and pictures.
Local poet and author Jim Connelly regaled the crowd with his own local stories, written specially for the show and delivered in perfect rhyme and metre.
The “In Harmony” musical group of Patrick Wakefield and Susan Parrish played several times throughout the evening, with guitar and flute providing a melodic backdrop to their fabulous voices.
Baw Baw Poetry Group presented a smattering of original, modern and favourite old Aussie poetry by members and friends, including the genteel storyteller Pamela Longmuir.
Tozo, a Bosnian Flamenco guitarist, provided a lively change of pace, playing and singing to an appreciative crowd.
Tony Lambides-Turner and the quirky Jan Morris from Henry Lawson Society performed to the enjoyment of the crowd.
Finally, the open mic had five contenders and was won by Kelvin Wilson. A surprise appearance from Afro-American IQ provided a taste of the south with an amazingly passionate performance that had to be seen to be believed.
Overall, it was an amazing night of variety that kept the audience enthralled right up to the last minute.