Catalyst 12 - Viva la Poesia!

Well, we're on the verge of launching our 12th volume of writing from around Aotearoa/New Zealand and the World.  Twelve years of publishing new, emerging and established writing and eclectica from all over the place. 

This dozen years has seen us grow from a slim volume focused on emerging talent in our own region of Christchurch/Canterbury to a somewhat larger magazine of truly literary art from around the globe.  We have published writing in translation from many languages and cultures, featured poet laureates as well as writers that have never seen print before.  Catalyst has also published visual art from emerging artists in New Zealand and worldwide - everything from taxidermy to stamp-collecting to political graphic design and graffiti.

Catalyst also became the first literary magazine in New Zealand to regularly publish CDs of spoken word poetry and music.  To date we have released three volumes on CD featuring the work of original NZ songwriters and poets fused together in interesting ways by producer Jody Lloyd aka Trillion.

Along the way we doggedly promoted and encouraged a renaissance in performance poetry, poetry slams and avant garde poetry theatre and music-related performance.  Catalyst continues to host the longest continually running poetry open mic in NZ.  (For more on our history see the 'Tell Me More' tab above).

To whet your appetite before the big launch of Volume 12 this coming week, we re-print here excerpts from the editorial by Publisher/Editor Doc Drumheller.  Enjoy!

In February 2015, I had the privilege to participate in the eleventh edition of the Festival Internacional de Poesía de Granada. Once again Nicaragua hosted one of the most extraordinary celebrations of poetry in the Americas. Since 2005, the International Poetry Festival of Granada has brought together poets from more than one hundred countries all over the world. Poets spend a week in Granada, a colonial city, one of the first to be established in the Americas by the Spaniards (1524). They participate in readings attended by thousands of people, get to meet other poets, and enjoy Nicaraguans’ love of poetry, which is quite a joy to behold and experience. It is essential for poets from New Zealand to be able to participate in festivals like the one in Nicaragua, because Latin America celebrates poetry like nowhere else in the world. 

The poetry readings took place in a number of scenarios: atriums of churches, public squares, colonial buildings, markets, universities, police stations and in neighbouring small towns. One of the highlights was the poetic carnival, where all of the poets were on parade and took turns reading at each street corner on the back of a decorated horse float. We marched and shuffled to the rhythm of the music through the closed roads of Granada, all the way to the the famous lake, where we were treated to a performance by numerous cultural, dance and musical groups, all dressed in traditional folkloric costumes.   The festival is the most important cultural event in Nicaragua and is widely covered by national and international press. Each year the Festival honours the work and legacy of a Nicaraguan poet, in its XI edition, the Festival honouredthe poet: Enrique FernándezMorales, and in memoriam of the Costa Rican poet, Eunice Odio. The feature poet for the festival and for this issue of Catalyst is Richard Blanco.

Richard Blanco is the fifth inaugural poet in US history—the youngest, first Latino, immigrant, and gay person to serve in such a role. Born in Madrid to Cuban-exiled parents and raised in Miami, the negotiation of cultural identity and place characterise his body of work.

I am delighted to be able to collaborate with Roger Hickin from Cold Hub Press to present a feature of Nicaraguan poetry. Each of the poets were at the festival and the work first appeared in chapbooks published by Cold Hub Press with translations by Roger Hickin. 

Also featured in this issue are the Lyttelton Poets, all of whom are no strangers to the pages of Catalyst, nor to our open mic and Road Show series, appearing in various guises and line ups over the past decade. Earlier this year the Republic of Oma Rāpeti Press published Andy Coyle’s book Ode to the Cyclist and other poems.

Another feature in Catalyst 12 - ‘Lady Poets’ is a regular live Poetry event created and run by Cantabrian performance poet Kimberley Holmes. Beginning in 2013, based in Christchurch and using local venues, ‘Lady Poets’ has carved a space to thrive in its first two years. With a uniquely subversive vision and tongue planted firmly in cheek, ‘Lady Poets’ aims to provide an inviting and encouraging space for female and marginalized writers to share their creativity. Utilising New Zealand and international talents, ‘Lady Poets’ offers a stage to voices often unheard, proudly appearing twice in Christchurch’s annual Pride Week celebrating queer poets.  Experimental and engaging, ridiculous and comedic, by testing the limits of audience and poets alike ‘Lady Poets’ has been embraced for its theatrical and empowering poetry events.

I was spoiled by so much good work for this issue and it was difficult to decide which poems to leave out.

Thanks to Creative Communities Christchurch for their continued support of this journal, as we continue to publish some of the world’s leading poets alongside Canterbury’s new and emerging voices.

¡Viva la poesia!

--Doc Drumheller, September 2015.

Catalyst Volume 12 book launch party
Tuesday 29th September, 7pm
The Twisted Hop, 616 Ferry Road

Newsflash! Announcing the launch of Catalyst volume 12!

Been a bit quiet of late but we've been gestating one hell of a volume of poetry for y'all.  Behold the cover of Catalyst volume 12!  More info to come...

Lyttelton Poets celebrating solstice in the Festival of Lights

Harbouring the Poet Laureate Vincent O'Sullivan

The Republic of Road Shows - featuring The Eastern

Not content with revolutionary poetry/music shows in the form of the Catalyst Road Show, we're combining it with the Republic of Poets featuring musical accompaniment from The Stray Empire and taking the whole thing on the road with local legends The Eastern.  This will be the most epic Catalyst Road Show ever - and there's two of 'em...

Yep, this time we're sharing the love with North Canterbury - a show in Oxford and a show in Rangiora.  Two classic old-time venues recently restored and perfectly suited to a night of mesmerising spoken word combined with music and a good old fashioned knees-up and throw down courtesy of the band described as 'one of the best modern roots bands' and 'toughest-minded songwriters'.

Catalyst Road Show
- tickets available on undertheradar and on the door.

Oxford Town Hall, Sat 9th May, 8pm

Rangiora Town Hall, Thurs 14th May, 8pm

These shows have been made possible by support from Waimakariri District Creative Communities

A plug for our friends: The Stray Empire - Fri 8th May, 7pm, The Twisted Hop

Next Catalyst Poetry Open Mic - 5th May

Catalyst Poetry Open Mic

Tuesday 5th May, 7pm

Twisted Hop, Ferry Rd, Woolston

Yep, it's that time of the month again - first Tuesdays are Catalyst nights, live and loud.  Well, sometimes the ties are loud...

Republic of Oma Rāpeti Press presents: Republic of Poets - a live show

Republic of Oma Rāpeti Press

Presents:

Republic of Poets
with live music by The Stray Empire
Wunderbar, Lyttelton
Thursday, April 16th, 8pm
Entry $10

Oma Rāpeti, Oma Rāpeti, Oma, Oma, Oma!


In 2014 Catalyst and The Republic of Oma Rāpeti Press launched a new republic, complete with a flag, constitution, and national anthem. To celebrate this event, we have devised a new initiative to publish an annual poetry collection by three poets, inspired by the Penguin Modern Poets series of the past. The aim of this project is to produce a high quality literary anthology focused on just three poets, allowing a broader body of work to be showcased than a regular journal appearance allows.


Volume One is subtitled 'Pioneers', reflecting both the emergence of the anthology and the vanguard poets featured, all with a history of pushing new frontiers in performance poetry in Aotearoa New Zealand.  From collaborations with musicians both recorded and live, improvised storytelling, poetry slams, cabaret, multimedia poetry theatre, poetry road shows, touring with bands, and even live vinyl recordings, these three poets have pioneered a renaissance in performance poetry in Canterbury and across Aotearoa.

Ben Brown has electrified audiences with his spoken word performances and smoky, malt whisky drawl. The excerpt from 'The Coffee Shop Philosopher', transfers his mana from the stage onto the page. Doc Drumheller’s excerpts from 'Hotel Theresa', and 'Lullabies for Insomniacs' reflect his travels as a troubadour presenting poems and songs composed in NZ, USA, and Eastern Europe. Andy Coyle’s deep velvet voice has been described as captivating and mesmerising, and his excerpt from 'Ode to the Cyclist' and other poems was recently published as a full manuscript by The Republic of Oma Rāpeti Press.

Republic of Poets Vol. One was launched at live music and poetry shows throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, as the poets took this roving republic on the road. With performances at The Wunderbar, Lyttelton, The Dharma Bums Club, Wairau Valley, The Mussel Inn , Golden Bay, and The Free House, Nelson. The success of the tour led to performances in the Word Christchurch Writers and Readers Festival August 2014, and performances at LitCrawl in Wellington, November 2014.

Their next show will feature performance poetry and live music with the Stray Empire at the Wunderbar, Lyttelton, Thursday, April 16th, 8pm.  $10 on the door.

Tickets, books, and other merchandise will be available for sale at the venue.

“Ben Brown is a distinctive original voice”
– Apirana Taylor.

“Doc Drumheller… a marvelous poet and an extraordinary creative artist”
-- Dr. Santosh Kumar, editor of Taj Mahal Review.

"Andy Coyle: We fell in love with him at the poetry reading."
-- Laura Williamson

Performer Bios

Ben Brown (Ngati Paoa, Ngati Mahuta) was born in Motueka in 1962. He is a writer, poet and performer. Since 1992 he has published numerous children's books, short stories for children and adults, poetry and non-fiction, and is an occasional contributor to Mana Magazine who have also featured him. He tours and performs regularly around the country. In 2006 he won best picture book with the artist/illustrator Helen Taylor in the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. In 2011 he was the Maori Writer in Residence at the Michael King Writer's Centre. He was also writer in residence at Hagley College, Christchurch, in 2009. He has read and performed at the Auckland Writers Festival (2010), the APRA Music Awards (2011) the Christchurch Writers Festival (2006, 2012), the Kaikoura Roots Festival (2012) the Christchurch Arts Festival (2009, 2013) and the Nelson Arts Festival (2011). He lives and works in Lyttelton.

Andy Coyle is a performance poet based in Canterbury, NZ. In 2011 he represented Christchurch in the NZ Poetry Slam finals. He is a regular contributor to the Catalyst Open Mic Night, The Catalyst Literary Journal, and the Catalyst Road Show. Career highlights include, a ten date tour of New Zealand in 2010; writing and performing an epic poem set in Chch accompanied by a 7 piece progressive jazz/rock ensemble for the Dunedin Fringe and the Wellington Jazz Festival in 2006; a short story filmed; a play performed; a poem painted as a mural in the seaside suburb of New Brighton and festival appearances in the Wanaka ‘Outspoken Festival’, the Lyttelton Summer Festival, and the Newtown Street Festival.   

Doc Drumheller: was born in Charleston, South Carolina and has lived in New Zealand for more than half his life. He has worked in award winning groups for theatre and music and has published ten collections of poetry. His poems have been translated into more than twenty languages and he has performed in Cuba, Lithuania, Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Japan, India, Nicaragua, USA, and widely throughout NZ. He lives in Oxford, where he edits and publishes the literary journal Catalyst and teaches creative writing at the School for Young Writers.

Aaron Boot: is a local musician who has toured extensively throughout New Zealand, Australia, Europe, The UK, and Ireland. He co-wrote songs with the artist Speech Debelle on the Mercury award winning album Speech Therapy. He has worked as technician on festivals like the Big Day Out, Future Music, and has worked as a stage tech for Alice Cooper, Faith No More, The Chemical Brothers, Kenny Rogers, Rage Against the Machine, and many more of the world’s leading musical acts.

The Stray Empire is a two piece country/folk/rock ensemble playing covers and original music. Their original songs are composed on the ukulele, banjo, mandolin and guitar, combining poetic lyrics with folk and pop sensibilities. They cover songs by Townes Van Zandt, Old Crow Medicine Show, Bob Dylan, Little Feat, and many more.

Catalyst Open Mic April - featuring Sumit Khanna

Next Catalyst Poetry Open Mic is coming up and we have a special guest - touring poet Sumit Khanna.  Check out his bio below, and the details of the show are:

Catalyst Poetry Open Mic
Tuesday 7th April, 7pm
Twisted Hop, Ferry Rd, Woolston
Koha entry

Sumit Khanna is a storyteller who grew up in United States. In his day job, he was a mild mannered software engineer who spent the days trapped in a cubical. In order to prevent committing cubicide, he left the States in 2012.

He's been living in Wellington for the past two years, where he found himself returning to world of office jobs after running out of money. He was hired by a company with an "open plan" layout, which was like being introduced to a new layer of hell.

Currently Sumit is on the road again, travelling, telling his stories and working on open source software. He is working on things he loves and spreading his stories, as well as gathering new ones. That is until he runs out of money.

Ode to the Cyclist & Other Poems by Andy Coyle - a book launch

 “the cyclist is a free spirit, a moment of faith, an endangered species, a breath of fresh air…”

Sneak preview! - Check this cover out.   We at Republic of Oma Rapeti Press are so proud to announce the release of our latest publication: the first major collection by poet, author, story-teller and performer of poetry Andy Coyle.  Along with Ben Brown and Doc Drumheller, Andy was one our featured poets in the inaugural Republic of Poets anthology.  The above image is the original cover artwork by Anita Clark (none other than Devilish Mary herself!)

Andy has been a stalwart of performance poetry and spoken word in Christchurch for the better part of two decades now, honing his craft while also writing a series of novels, touring with bands, raising a family, surviving earthquakes and running restaurants.  You know, all the easy stuff.  He's featured on Catalyst CDs, the touring 'Road Show', is a member of the Lyttelton 'band' of poets and was runner-up in the Christchurch Poetry Slam 2014.


Ode to the Cyclist and other poems is Andy Coyle’s first published volume of poetry.   The title poem celebrates the cyclist as a boundary crosser, a trickster, and the collection is full of those colourful characters who occupy the margins, the wandering poet, the lizard skinned junky, the urban shaman, the Christmas loner, the idealistic artist, the madman on the bus, the forgotten seaside destination, the voices on the wind, the long gone goddess, and the ghostly memories of an invisible city.

We're going to be holding a launch event for Ode to the Cyclist and other poems at the next Catalyst Open Mic night so if you're in the shaky city, head on down to the Twisted Hop on Ferry Rd, Woolston to get your advance copy, hear the words from the poets mouth and generally celebrate in the good old fashioned way with us. 

To whet your appetite, here's what we've got to say, as printed on the back cover:

Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race.  H. G. Wells (1866-1946)

‘The cyclist is a boundary crosser, a trickster…’ Andy Coyle - Ode to the Cyclist

Ode to the Cyclist and other poems is Andy Coyle’s first collection of poetry. It highlights the best of Andy’s poetry over the last ten years, much of which has featured in the Catalyst literary journal.

The collection includes regional poetry from Bank’s Peninsula and Christchurch. It includes poems which explore the role of the poet in modern society. And through the image of the cyclist, tempts the reader into considering the role of the boundary crossers, the ones who can interpret the simple information hidden within the daily cycles of life, -sun, earth, moon, personality, -and through those equally simple and complex information sources, and through the simple joys of cycling and observing, to take pleasure in our world.

   

Also included in this selection is the poem Invisible City, Andy’s response to the loss of his city through earthquake. Andy was included in a group of artists who were invited to access the central city red zone (which was guarded by the army and only open to demolition teams) after the earthquake, to document an artistic response. Those responses, along with Andy’s tendency to cycle around the perimeter of the red zone in the bizarre darkness that was created by this red zone, formed the starting point for the poem.

About the Author:

Andy Coyle is a writer of poetry, fiction, theatre, songs, and menus. In both 2011 and 2014 he represented Christchurch in the NZ Poetry Slam finals. He is a regular contributor to the Catalyst Open Mic Night, The Catalyst Literary Journal, and the Catalyst Road Show. He has toured poetry around New Zealand and has appeared in a number of literary festivals, street festivals, performance festivals and Jazz festivals. He has had a short story filmed, a play performed, and a poem painted as a mural in the seaside suburb of New Brighton.