Progression of Poets comes to Napier
Epic nourishment for the soul, and it’s free — but space is limited so get tickets
Prepare yourselves for the most chill of literary evenings in the creative calendar of Aotearoa New Zealand — and it’s happening in Napier.
Hawke’s Bay Readers and Writers Trust present A Progression of Poets 2022, happening around town on the evening of Tuesday, August 23.
It’s epic, it’s nourishment for the soul, and it’s free.
So what happens?
You, the audience, make yourself cosy in one of three locations at Globe Restaurant (previously the Emporium), Vinci’s Pizza or The Cabana whilst pairs of poets rotate around the venues. Imagine the scene — you with a glass of something and a delicious bite, settling in to be entertained and inspired. Bliss.
The Bay is fast becoming a hub of poetic activity (think Common Poets Society, and Hastings and Napier Live Poets) so poets living in our environs are pairing with out-of-town bards to welcome them into our world.
Here’s a who’s who:
■ Apirana Taylor, nationally and internationally published poet, playwright, short story writer and novelist joins Shelley Burne-Field (Nga¯ti Mutunga, Nga¯ti Ra¯rua, Sa¯moa, Pa¯keha¯), the only New Zealand finalist named in the Commonwealth Writer’s Prize 2022.
■ Marty Smith, finalist in the NZ Post Poetry Award and winner of the Jessie Mackay award for Best First Book of Poetry joins Jay Nieuwland, trans poet and author of I Am A Human Being, which won Best First Book of Poetry at the 2021 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.
■ Ricky Day can often be heard performing poems about life, death and rabbits monthly at the Common Poet’s Society in Hastings and is joined by Tarns Hood, two times Wellington Poetry Slam champion.
This will be a night to be spoken of with awe and wonder for years to come. Sit back, relax in some of the Bay’s warmest, most welcoming environments and let the poets transport you.
■ AProgression of Poets is a free event run by the Hawke’s Bay Readers andWriters Trust. Tickets are needed as space is limited. They are available on Eventfinda: https://www. eventfinda.co.nz/2022/a-progressionof-poets/hawkes-bay-gisborne?