Saturday, February 22, 2014

Poetry collection launch invitation

Book launch invitation
Date: Tuesday 25 February
Time: 8pm
Venue: The Thirsty Dog, 469 K Rd, Auckland City


You are warmly invited to the Auckland launch of Ben Brown’s poetry collection, Between the Kindling and the Blaze: reflections on the concept of mana, published by Anahera Press, and held in conjunction with Poetry Live. With music by Aaron Tokona, readings from the book by Ben, poetry open mic, and music open jam after the launch until closing. To be launched by Michelle Bolton and MC-ed by Mr Tim Heath.

About Ben Brown:
Ben Brown (Ngāti Paoa, Ngāti Mahuta) was born in Motueka in the South Island of New Zealand. He is a writer, poet, acclaimed performer and award-winning children’s book author. Ben lives and works in Lyttelton.

About the book:
Ben's first poetry collection, Between the Kindling and the Blaze, is a bold exploration of the concept of mana. In resonant poetry and short prose pieces, the author does not seek to define mana but rather to reflect on its myriad nuances.

‘The colour of mana is red they say, from warm sunset tones to bold, vigorous and bloody shades of power and authority, the kaka feather, the dog skin cloak, the ochre of the earth. But where is the white of purity, the certainty of black, the humility of grey? Colour then, will not suffice in the exploration of mana. How can a humble man be proud? Why is the mountain more than a mountain? How does a river flow in my veins and where is the strength in silence? This book is not silent. It cannot be…’

‘Ben Brown is a distinctive original voice’ – Apirana Taylor

About Aaron Tokona:
Christchurch-based musician Aaron Tokona (dubbed ‘New Zealand’s answer to Jimi Hendrix’) is a madly talented singer and guitarist whose band credits include AhoriBuzz, Cairo Knife Fight and Fly My Pretties.

Set times:
8pm:         1st poetry open mic – all welcome to read
8.45pm:    Aaron Tokona (music)
9.30pm:   Book launch featuring reading by Ben Brown
10.15pm:  2nd poetry open mic – all welcome to read
11pm:      music open jam – musicians bring your instruments (or your voice!) and jam with Aaron
11.30pm:  close

Poetry Live is an iconic poetry event (running weekly for 30+ years) held every Tuesday night at the Thirsty Dog, cnr Karangahape Rd & Howe St, Auckland City. Street parking free in the evening



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