WORD Christchurch Newsletter

FIONA FARRELL Fiona Farrell's The Villa at the Edge of the Empire: 100 ways to read a city is a provocative and insightful exploration of rebuilding our homes, communities and cities after their devastation, from one of Canterbury's most esteemed writers. North and South magazine recently said: “This is the book those of us outside Christchurch, watching from afar in ill-informed horror, have been waiting for… And for those who have lived through the disaster, it will provide a coherent account of events they must have struggled to believe were actually happening.” Fiona will discuss her book on the Imaginary Cities panel during the Christchurch Arts Festival on 30 August, along with urban designer Hugh Nicholson, novelists Anna Smaill and Hamish Clayton, and chair Lara Strongman. Presented in association with WORD Christchurch and Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu. Read an extract from the book and an interview with Fiona Farrell in The Weekend Press.

WORD CHRISTCHURCH RECOMMENDS...   TIM FINN: WHITE CLOUD by Tim Finn and Ken Duncum, with film footage assembled by Sue Healey. "These islands are full of voices,” says Caliban in The Tempest. And so are these islands. Celebrated New Zealand musician Tim Finn takes audiences on an immersive, poetic musical voyage of discovery as he explores the stories of family members and ancestors captured from journals, letters and memoirs. A potent journey into Finn's history and a contemplation of what it is to be Pākehā. 4 & 5 September, 6pm TVNZ Festival Club, The Arts Centre Tickets and more info here AROUND TOWN... ELIZABETH KNOX AND OTHERS: THE UNDERWORLD Presented by Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu  In an eclectic walk on the dark side distinguished writer Elizabeth Knox will read from her recent novel Wake, curator Peter Vangioni will discuss Petrus van der Velden's Dutch Funeral and Lana Coles will look at fatal Victorian fashion and the allure of the poison garment. There will be music, Dutch funeral cakes and mulled wine to end the evening. More info here.  Wednesday, 22 July 2015. 6.00pm WEA, 59 Gloucester Street (opposite the Gallery) FREE CALLING ALL EMERGING CHRISTCHURCH POETS... RISING VOICES If you or your offspring caught amazing poets Anis Mojgani and Moana Thompson at the 2014 WORD Christchurch schools’ day and thought ‘I’d love to learn to do that’, here is your chance. If you have a passion for performance poetry, are between 16 and 24 years old and want a priceless opportunity to develop your performance poetry skills under established poets Alice Andersen and Danielle O’Halloran, then RISING VOICES is for you! Be a part of the growing youth poetry scene in Christchurch, develop your craft with seven performance poetry workshops and take your chance at claiming the stage with your words. You have one more chance to audition. GET ON BOARD THE COMMUNITY READ... This August, Christchurch City Libraries invites you to read, share and discuss Magpie Hall by Rachael King. Take a walk with us on the dark side, as we explore family secrets, taxidermy, Victorian tattooing, and Gothic novels. Wheelers will be providing unlimited free eBook copies of Magpie Hall for all of August!  Launching 7 August with two very special events at South Library. For more information visit the Christchurch City Libraries website.  THE LAST WORD ON KIDSFEST... Thanks to all the kids who took part in our writing and comic workshops over the school holidays, and thanks to Doc Drumheller, Rachael King and Sarah Laing for inspiring our young writers. If you’d like to sign up to our occasional newsletter aimed at children’s books and events, simply email admin@wordchristchurch.co.nz with KIDS in the subject line. If you are looking for more workshop opportunities, why not visit Christchurch's School for Young Writers?