ISSUE 1 – MARCH 2021

Successful Readers and Writers Festival

Another Winter Series Readers and Writers Festival for 2012, and another great success story! At the popular Readers, Writers and Rogues event in 2011, the audience enthusiastically voted for a repeat this year, and with the amazing ability of Bob Harvey to capture notable performers, we were able to present another great variety of art- ists and musicians.

Accompanied by wine and nibbles, the first session, on 1 July, featured readings and interviews with Greg McGee and our own Tina Grenville, the interview section being conducted with great skill by Simon Wilson. Greg read from his new publication ‘Love and Money’ and Tina gave us excerpts from her autobiography, ‘A Life in 3 Acts’. The readings offered interesting insights and the following sensitive and frank questions and responses were a fascinating mix of ideas and reminiscences which kept everyone amused and interested. The audience too had their chance to offer questions and thoughts.

The second event, on 5 August, offered a rather different programme. The very large audience were treated to a delightful short session presented by Ian Mune, that doyen of the acting community, who read with great feeling a selection of his favourite poems. This was followed by the famous painter, Dick Frizzell, sharing his interesting life and extracts from his new art book, along with his ideas and views on a number of New Zealand’s artists. Then came the ‘piece de resistance’ as the wonderful baritone voice of John Yelash held the audience in thrall with Coleridge’s ‘Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ to the spine-tingling accompaniment of two friends who performed on ancient Maori instruments – bone flutes and gourds. It was a spell-binding performance.

Both events again featured, by popular demand, the delightful musical interludes provided by Helen Duder and her string quartet.

The Library Trust would like to thank all those who worked so hard to present this years festival of art and music, with special acknowledgment for the assistance given us by a grant from the Auckland Council’s Creative Communities Scheme.

See you at next year’s festival!
Yvonne Dufaur