Tuesday, May 18, 2010

AUCKLAND WRITERS & READERS FESTIVAL 2010

THE WRAP - BOUQUETS & BRICKBATS


BOUQUETS:
*Wide and interesting variety of speakers
*Staff - warm, friendly & efficient group of Festival volunteers, they deserve great acknowledgement, perhaps a listing of names in the programme?
*Best Chairperson - 1st equal Paula Morris and Carole Beu
*Best perfomer - Rick Gekoski followed by Colin Toinbin, Marti Frielander, Jill Dawson and David Levithan
*Best humour - David Levithan in the schools programme
*Free events - these were greatly appreciated by a number of people I spoke too who wouldn't have been able to attend otherwise - more please.
*Decor - superb Virginia King sculptures

BRICKBATS

*Cost of attending - event prices on the high side (compare unfavourably with similar events in Wellington and Christchurch) combined with price of parking in the Aotea carpark.
*No crime fiction authors in programme
*The Edge booking office - long lines, slow, cumbersome service.
*Events competing with each other, there always seemed to be two events on at the same time that one wanted to attend.
*Variety & approriateness of food available - huge sandwiches that were almost impossible to eat.

OVERALL
A wonderful, stimulating and engaging few days. Thanks to all concerned, see you next year.

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