The Return of Catalyst Poetry Idol

... just when you thought it was safe to go back on the open mic... WANTED: Poets with a stout heart, fierce, fearless and, where appropriate, balls of steel... ALSO WANTED: Audience - must be prepared to judge, fair or harsh with a good ear and a light heart. Oh yes you better believe it, Poetry Idol makes it's wintery way back to the Wunderbar for more literary hijinks, heartbreak n' hilarity. Last year the mic was furiously fought over by a whole horde of poets and the mighty Cris Fulton swept the stage and claimed the title (and a small wooden windmill trophy). Who will it be this time? Do you have what it takes? Or do you want to be among the judges? We want to see blood on the microphone! Tears before bedtime! It's Catalyst's Poetry Idol: be prepared to entertain, stimulate, provoke, or move. Literally. THE DATES: Round One: Thursday 27th July, 8pm Round Two: Thursday 3rd August, 8pm Round Three: Thursday 10th August, 8pm Round Four: Thursday 17th August, 8pm Round Five: Thursday 24th August, 8pm Grand Final: Thursday 31st August, 8pm - featuring the five round winners in a knockdown, drag out, no-holds-barred, deathmatch! Registration for each round starts at 8pm, first 10 poets only. As always the audience is the judge, jury (and maybe even executioners...) We expect to see you ALL there. Yes, (wait for it) you know you want to

Metamorphosis of Whakaraupo

change - process - ownership

Storytelling & Poetry LIVE - this week!

As well as the infamous, incredible, often indescribable Catalyst Open Mic this week we are pleased to announce a double dose of literary lava for all you lit-heads out there in Christchurch.

Metamorphosis of Whakaraupo

by Andrew Coyle

Friday 30th June, 7.30pm

She Cafe, Governors Bay

also featuring poetry by:

Ciaran Fox

Doc Drumheller

music by:

Karma Suits Ya

photography/visuals by:

Ciaran Fox

Entry is FREE

Andrew Coyle is a writer of short stories and novels described as 'sub-realism'. In 1997 he embarked upon writing a four part novel series, Ecstatic, Bacchic, Frantic, Fanatic. The first three novels in this series have been independently published and distributed by the author. The final novel has become a stand alone project and is currently undergoing a determined editing process. Metamorphosis of Whakaraupo is part of Andrew's ongoing improvised storytelling project.

Next Catalyst Poetry Open Mic

Aw yeah! They just keep getting better and better!

Have you been missing out on the action? Better get along to the next one:

Thursday 29th June, 8pm
Wunderbar, Lyttelton

If you're not in NZ, well, we won't hold it against you.

Catalyst Volume 5 update

Right. Milestones and all that. What is it about the number 5? People love 5 year plans, 5 times champions, 5 year anniversary, Issue number 5. So no pressure on us at all, really.

Selection is almost complete for volume 5 and we are rapidly heading into pre-production on the issue. At this stage we are aiming for a June launch in Christchurch.

So what about the tidbits of gossip, teasers and previews? Well, I can tell you that Volume 5 will feature two international feature sections of poetry and a significant international poet as feature writer. We'll be focussing on some of that in more detail right here on the website very soon.

Catalyst Spoken Word Series volume 2 - The CD

It is looking like the next Catalyst Spoken Word Series will be available with Volume 6 of Catalyst later in the year and we are still open for submissions of recordings from poets everywhere. Remember that your submission must be on CD and feature just your voice. If you have original music to accompany your spoken word please include this as a separate track on the CD.

NOTE: you MUST absolutely, unquestionably and completely have the clearance rights for your music to be used in this way and included on a compilation CD. Written confirmation of this MUST be included with your submission if you send music.

We reserve the right to add original music and edit your recording to suit. Rest assured we will not distort you or your poem beyond recognition but if you are not OK with this kind of editing please do not submit. We do not send approval versions out to submitters. If you're wondering what it may actually turn out like, you can contact us directly for a copy of the Catalyst Spoken Word Series volume 1 CD for an idea of just how groovy it will be. Volume 1 of the CD has so far drawn wide interest and appreciation for it's innovation and quality and has received radio play on several NZ stations.

LIVE POETS - LIVE POETRY

The next Catalyst Live Poetry open mic is

Thursday 27th April, 8pm.
at the Wunderbar, Lyttelton.

Be there or not be there. That is the suggestion.

Brrrr here comes winter - quick! huddle 'round our volcano...

Well sadly we've waved goodbye to our summer season of readings (cue big sighs) but fret not! We now have our winter series planned to warm the cockles (whatever they are) of your heart. Live Poetry lives on at the Wunderbar! Catalyst is unabashedly pleased to announce the timetable for our chilly season of poetry open mic readings - here's the formula (take notes, there'll be a test): Live Poetry! LAST Thursday of every month at the Wunderbar, Lyttelton 8pm SHARP! And guess what? Sometime in July or August we'll be repeating the fabulously successful Poetry Idol competition. Wanna see poets beat each other about the head with similies? Maybe you just wanna make 'em cry? Then Poetry Idol is your bag, baby... stay tuned!

Next Catalyst Poetry Open Mic

Yup. Going strong in the middle of our volcano - open mic at the Wunderbar, Lyttelton.

Thursday 30th March, 8pm Wunderbar, Lyttelton

There's a link at the side all about the Wunderbar and where it is if you've never been before (if you live in Christchurch and fall into this category - shame on you!)
Bring your poetry, experimental or whatever you like and share it with an audience. Meet other writers and generally carouse to your heart's content.

yes, you definitely know you want to...

Celebrating Arts in the Community

Well it's been some time since our last update but it's taken me this long to struggle up to the surface from under the weight of submissions we're currently reading. Love that. Also the performance nights have swung into action again but we're still looking for all those writers out there to come and lively them up. If you're in our neck of the woods why not check it out? It's a great way to let us preview your writing if you want to submit to the mag or even be on the next CD. But mostly it lets you get your work out there to an often bemused, stunned and sometimes even interested audience. Anyway, the dates are in the previous post and I can also add that it is ongoing fortnightly beyond those dates...

Creative Communities & Christchurch Community Arts Council

These two organisations are instrumental in not only the publication of Catalyst but the activities and projects of many artists and groups in Christchurch. They have been stalwart supporters of Catalyst - we love them and want to have their babies.

They are hosting a celebration event this week for all the groups and projects they support. The Catalyst Crew are representing with noneother than Doc Drumheller, Jody Lloyd and Myself performing poetry in honour of the groups' support of Catalyst.

If you'd like to see the plethora of projects supported by Christchurch taxpayers via these wonderful groups and be entertained by some amazing performance (followed by the poetry - heh!) come along to:

Phillip Carter Auditorium in the Christchurch Art Gallery, Thursday 9th March, 7.30pm.

Next Catalyst Poetry Performances

Yes it's time to shake out those holiday period accumulations and get back on that horse. We're riding back into town and we're taking no prisoners...

Catalyst Poetry nights: Operation Shock and Awe - more weapons of mass construction than you can shake an American at. Coming soon to the Wunderbar, Lyttelton.

Next Dates:

Thursday 2nd February
Thursday 16th February
Thursday 2nd March
Thursday 16th March
all starting at 8pm

All welcome - BYO poetry - open mic applies.

Don't be shy - you know you want to.

Catalyst 5 SUBMISSION DEADLINE Jan 31st

Yes the deadline loometh but there is still time - we're not inflexible with our dates! We are looking for works of poetry, prose, fiction, experimental writing, excerpts from scripts or screenplays etc. Also: recordings of spoken word for our CD (clean - without music - we'll handle that!) and proposals from visual artists for inside covers etc. (B&W and colour).

Seize this opportunity to be considered for our milestone 5th issue!

Our address and submission guidelines are over there in the sidebar. PLEASE FOLLOW THEM - failure to do so may exclude you from consideration.

If you havn't got your copy of the landmark Catalyst 4 yet, why not write to us and subscribe - we deliver! Back issues are available but stocks are running out and we won't be reprinting so be in quick.

CATALYST CHRISTMAS CLEARANCE SALE!

You betcha, kid.

If you're in our hemisphere why not come and join us for a right ol' knees up as we celebrate another year of bringing poetry to the masses. It's our very own brand of gross consumerism which is, after all, what Christmas is all about. If you're able to come you'll have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase back issues of Catalyst, the coolest, most innovative and exciting literary journal in NZ at never-to-be-repeated prices. Poetry is hotter than ever - but stocks won't last! If you are one of the accursedly unlucky who do not live in Christchurch or indeed New Zealand you can make yourself feel better with some long distance poetry therapy - namely SUBSCRIPTION! Yes! We deliver! And it's cheaper than normal too - plus your currency is probably stronger than the kiwi so you'll make on the deal! Wow! We live in a beautiful world. Details are in our profile in the sidebar. Share poetry with a loved one this Christmas. Stuff the kids stockings with something other than playstation or toys - yes you can change the world!

Catalyst. Because you're worth it...

Hitting Our Virtual 'Snooze' Button...

We are recovering from our collective book-launching-hangovers. Thank you to all who made it to Lyttelton for our party and grand unveiling. Maybe I'll file a wee report on it when I can bare to look at the screen on normal brightness... Until then, stay tuned: the next Catalyst Poetry Night will be another big knees-up our last one for 2005 - The Catalyst Christmas Clearance Sale - Poetry at cut prices. We're gonna stuff your stockings...

sneak preview! CATALYST VOL 4 COVER

CATALYST 4 + CD RELEASE

The official launch and release of Catalyst volume 4 and Catalyst Spoken Word Series 1 is on Thursday December 1st. The launch party details are:

Catalyst 4 release party

Thursday 1st December, 8pm

Wunderbar, Lyttelton

The launch will feature readings from featured and guest poets and writers from around NZ plus tracks from the very first in Catalyst's Spoken Word Series. Be the first in the world to hear the latest innovation from your ever-lovin' Neoismist Press and She'll Be Right Records.

The CD was produced by Jody Lloyd of She'll Be Right Records and represents a collaboration between writers/speakers and original New Zealand music. It is a bold project that dares to feature music on an equal footing with the spoken word and sets a tough bar for future Spoken Word CDs to achieve. Featured are voices/accents from around the world now resident in Aotearoa and one or two pieces of music by New Zealanders now based overseas. This reflects the great kiwi tradition of immigration/emmigration - the transient nature of modern New Zealanders and the fluidity of citizenship and belonging to this place we call 'home'. Catalyst has always sought to highlight this multicultural reality as well as feature established artists alongside emerging or young talent. The Catalyst Spoken Word Series is true to this form with several recognisable names among a few 'first-timers'. All with unique voices, listen for yourself.

The CD of Catalyst Spoken Word Series comes with your copy of Catalyst volume 4. Copies and subscriptions will be available for sale on the night or email us using the sidebar link.

Details regarding submissions are included in the book or alternatively please check out our profile in the sidebar. Submissions not following the guidelines may automatically be excluded from consideration.

Next Catalyst Poetry Open Mic

Thursday 17th November, 8pm - at the Wunderbar
Please note: The launch party for Catalyst 4 has been pushed back to Thursday December 1.

- a continual source of wonder and awe! Live at the Wunderbar

Bring your writing to share or come, listen, have a few drinks - you know the drill!

Carmen Tafolla - Live at Creation - 10th November - with Poetry in Wartime

Doors Open 7pm

105 Worcester Street, behind Cathedral Square

NEWSFLASH:

BONUS!

Direct from the Wellington International Poetry Festival - a one-off screening of powerful new documentary Poetry in Wartime will follow Carmen's performance. Don't miss your only opportunity to see the film that had everyone talking at the International Poetry Festival.

Courage Day - November 10th - Christchurch event

Every year, the New Zealand Society of Authors (NZSA) commemorates writers around the world who have been suppressed, abused, imprisoned or executed.

This year, Courage Day commemorates the 10th anniversary of the execution of Nigerian writer Ken Saro-wira, who was executed along with eight others for campaigning against the devastation of the Niger Delta by international oil companies.

This Courage Day, the Canterbury Branch of NZSA will hold a readings event and get-together on Thursday 10th November at the Madras Cafe Bookshop at 165 Madras Street (opposite the CPIT). The event will commence at 5.30 pm for a 6 pm start and will feature Zimbabwean journalist and human rights activist, Shupayi Mpunga, as keynote speaker, and a series of readings, highlighting Ken Saro-Wira's life and other freedom of expression issues, by local writers.

The NZSA is a non-profit organisation and there is no charge for this event.

So go along, check it out and follow it up with My Heart Speaks a Different Language, the one-woman show by Mexican-American poet Carmen Tafolla at 7pm in Creation. See previous post all about this amazing event.

Next Catalyst Poetry Open Mic

Thursday 17th November, 8pm
at the Wunderbar in Lyttelton. It will also be the launch party for Catalyst volume 4 + Catalyst Spoken Word Series volume 1 CD. Stay tuned for a post all about it...

Next Catalyst Open Mic

8pm Thursday 3rd November - at the Wunderbar

BYO poetry, performance work or prose. Share - Listen - Enjoy
Come on! You know you want to...