Going West Festival Books & Writers Weekend

Going West Festival Books & Writers Weekend

17 Years Celebrating New Zealand writing and writers

The Going West Festival 2012 Books & Writers Weekend at the Titirangi War Memorial Hall opens tomorrow night with the Gala opening night at 7pm. A fantastic line-up of some of New Zealand’s best writers and thinkers gather for a weekend of engaging conversation, informed observation and enlightening entertainment.

The writers and performers in this year’s programme:

Rick Bryant and The Windy City Strugglers, Mirranda Burton, Sacha de Bazin, Dave Dobbyn, Mary Edmond-Paul, Marianne Elliott, Jacqueline Fahey, Paula Green, Tina Grenville, David Howard, Stephanie Johnson , Sid Marsh, Kirstine Moffat, Emily Perkins, Nalini Singh, Monty Soutar, CK Stead, Paul Thomas, Ian Wedde, Peter Wells, Lani Wendt Young and Tim Wilson.

Full programme and information: www.goingwest.co.nz, call Auckland Council on 09 301 0101 ext 42 8617 or by emailing Going West

Tickets: www.eventfinder.co.nz

The Going West Festival Poetry Slam Final last Saturday night drew a big, enthusiastic crowd and saw Vincent Nathan from Whangarei win the fifth and final heat, then go on to win the Grand Final cash prize of $1000.

Warm congratulations to Vincent and to Logan Dobson from Auckland who won the second prize of $750 and Jahra Rager from Auckland for the $500 third prize. All three competitors will be flown to Wellington for the NZ Poetry Slam on 10 November.

After his win, Vincent emailed the Going West Festival: ‘I live in Whangarei, where there is no outlet for poets and performers alike so I was quite disconnected from the scene, performing my poetry to friends and family at home, drawing inspiration from my own life experiences and those of others. A good friend stumbled across the Going West Festival facebook page and told me that I should enter. I was so nervous l said no, but after encouragement from friends and family I emailed Michelle Bolton and she welcomed me. I turned up on Saturday with such knots and butterflies - so much so I was having a panic attack every time I got on stage. I am so overwhelmed by the love showed and the reception I got for my poetry and it seems like my journey as a poet is about to get even better...I walk away with nothing but love and support for the people I met, the friends I made and the Going West Festival that made it all possible. LOVE!!!’

ends

© Scoop Media