Save Our Catalyst! A new date - 10th September

A fundraising performance of poetry and music to help keep our pages turning!

Christchurch poets are stepping up to help us fill the shortfall caused by the Covid-19 lockdown: we were unable to host our regular monthly open mics for four months and we rely on those to keep publishing Catalyst. So we're pulling out all the stops in a go-for-broke heave-to featuring some of Catalyst's regulars and Christchurch favourites and new friends.

We're celebrating National Poetry Day a day early, that's how keen we are. The show will feature a little bit of music, a whole lot of poetry, prizes and surprises so if you're in Christchurch on Thursday 10th September, swing on by the ever-lovin' Space Academy for a poetic digestif. $15 on the door or $10 pre-sale.

We are so so so grateful to all these beautiful, inspiring writers for donating their time, talent and even precious books to help us raise the $$. And a very special thank you to Melanie McKerchar for having this idea and bringing it to life. Mwah! Show them your love!

We Love Space Academy!

Please help us keep our beloved home alive and kicking.

Space Academy is a sanctuary for art, music and literature lovers (or just peeps who love craft beer, craft pizza and wholesome food).

It's also been the home of the spacey-themed latest iteration of Catalyst Open Mic, the ever-evolving poetry performance community now in its 19th year. You can even sit on the sofas and read a collection of our increasingly rare and collectible back issues from their library.

Run by the nicest team on Earth or in orbit, it is a haven for anyone looking for a gentler, thoughtful or inspiring experience in their night out.

You might even hear some poetry.*

Space Academy are running a Boosted campaign to help them get through the difficult winter caused by months of pandemic lock-down. Please support the lively, passionate arts and literary infrastructure in our city by donating to the campaign at the link below - every little bit helps and they are so close to target!

We Love Space Academy!

The view from the (open) microphone

Poet and sometime Catalyst host Melanie McKerchar

*this may or may not be an incentive.

3rd Annual Stand Up Poetry SLAM - Live Stream Edition goes nationwide!

MEDIA RELEASE from Action Education:

Action Education is proud to present the 3rd Annual Stand Up Poetry Slam - Live Stream Addition!

As a way to meet the needs of our community and to ensure the safety of all involved, Action Education has decided to move our 2020 SUP Slam online and to the world.

SUP Slam is open to any poet within Aotearoa between the ages of 13-18. More than a competition, SUP Slam is a celebration of youth voice and a chance to hear from some of New Zealand’s most powerful young visionaries, leaders, and artists.

The slam will be live streamed at 6PM on Wednesday the 20th of May from the Action Education Facebook page.

The winner of the slam will receive a $200 Cash Prize and will be crowned the 2020 SUP Slam Champion!

RULES:

Poets must be between the ages of 13-18.
Poem must be original.
Slam will be one round.
Poets will be scored by a panel of Guest Judges (TBA).
Poems must be between 2-3 minutes in length.
We will believe in free expression so the slam will be uncensored. Stand Up Poetry is an inclusive community, so hate speech of any kind will not be tolerated.

TO ENTER:

Send a video of you performing your poem along with your full name, age, and an email to the Action Education Facebook Page by MONDAY MAY 18TH @6PM. If you have any questions with regards to this process please feel free to message us or send an email to info@actioneducation.co.nz.

The List of Competitors will be announced on Tuesday May 19th.
Poets can only enter one poem.

THERE IS LIMITED SPACE so please make sure to enter your poem before the due date.

For more info or for a more detailed description of the rules please send an email to - info@actioneducation.co.nz

CREATIVITY IS NECESSARY.

2020: The Year We Made Compost

NZ Poetry Slam national final once again in Ōtautahi/Christchurch

Featuring the 2019 regional champs from around Aotearoa New Zealand including Ōtautahi's own multiple champ, Ray Shipley and 2019 runner-up Melanie McKerchar.

Saturday 23rd November, doors open 7pm
Papa Hou, YMCA
12 Hereford St, Christchurch Central
Tickets: $20 / $15

Catalyst volume 16 - Wireless Compassion

Catalyst volume 16 - cover featuring artwork by Bayartsengel Bum-Erdene

Today we're proud to be launching Catalyst Volume 16 Wireless Compassion.

The culmination of another year of reading, traveling and selecting poetry from around the world and Aotearoa New Zealand. The sub-title Wireless Compassion reflects a number of synergies for both Catalyst's home city of Ōtautahi Christchurch and Editor-in-Chief Doc Drumheller.

2019 saw a horrific act of terrorism visited on Christchurch that, far from achieving division, actually united and mobilised the compassion of the people of Christchurch. Following events of that day, the regular poetry open mics hosted by Catalyst provided a thoughtful, safe and welcoming space for many of the poets and writers of Christchurch to spread love and compassion through their words.

Later in the year Doc travelled to India for the 39th World Congress of Poets for which the theme 'Compassion through poetry' particularly resonated.

With suites of featured poetry from India, Mongolia and the Word Congress of Poets as well as individual poets from Aotearoa New Zealand and the world, Volume 16 Wireless Compassion represents hope, kindness, compassion and peace while still asking questions, seeking after answers and celebrating the written (and printed) word.

Thank you to all our supporters, subscribers, submitters and readers who have journeyed with us for part or all of sixteen years. We quite like being teenagers.

Read on.

Christchurch Poetry Slam 2019 - the results!

Pleased as punch to announce the results of the Christchurch Poetry Slam 2019!
 
1st - Ray Shipley
2nd - Melanie McKerchar
3rd - Barrett Robb
 
What a night - with our first ever slam-off for runner-up! Congrats to long-standing Catalyst regular, Mel McKerchar who drew first up in the first round for the THIRD year in a row, edging out fellow Catalyst regular Barrett to the runner-up slot in a nail-biting finish to the night. And of course, ka mau te wehi to multiple ChCh Slam Champ, Ray Shipley for making it back to back Slams. Look out nationals!

Christchurch Poetry Slam 2019 - The Rules

Here are the official rules of the Christchurch Poetry Slam as per the NZ Poetry Slam.

Sign-up is on the night only - places are limited to 12 participants so get there early.

Rules for NZ Poetry Slam

• 3 minutes or less with no minimum time (10 second grace period before points deduction)

• Time starts when poet speaks, however while poets can have time to settle and adjust microphone etc, this time is not limitless; ideally a poet should start before 10 seconds.

• Original (i.e. your own) poems only

• No props no music no costumes (i.e. clothing related to the content of your poem)

• In the case of a tie a slam-off will be required

• Random draw, for performance order.

 
Judging and scoring:

• 5 Audience Judges (chosen by MC and/or organiser) display score cards 0-10 (Decimal points allowed)

• Top and bottom scores drop off and total of remaining 3 scores is the total

• If Poet goes over grace period MC or Timekeeper to ask scorer to mark down points after the judges score… (Half a point penalty for every 10 seconds over time)

• After 4 minutes the MC can shut down the poet

• 'Sacrificial Poet' (non-competing) to start the night, to help calibrate scores.

• Slams are equally about writing, performance and audience response.

• Slammers should have at least 3 poems, as there will be three rounds for the Regionals and NZ Slam
  …

As always, remember: the point is the poetry not the points!

Catalyst volume 16 CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS deadline 1st April!

We're pleased to announce that Catalyst is accepting submissions for our next volume, number 16.

The deadline is 1st April and we encourage all submitters to read our submission guidelines. Submissions that do not follow the guidelines will not be considered.

We'd also like to take this opportunity to thank all our subscribers and submitters for supporting the journal over its first fifteen years in print. Here's to fifteen more (and if you haven't yet subscribed maybe head on over to our subscriptions page to find out more - might make a great gift too! 😉)

NZ Poetry Slam 2018 National Final - in Christchurch!

It's been years in the coming (is that even a thing?) but finally the NZ Poetry Slam is about to have it's grand final in the South Island. Last year's champion Daisy Speaks (Daisy Lavea-Timo) broke the stranglehold of the north on the title of NZ Slam Champion and now she's helping to bring the event itself to Ōtautahi/Christchurch.

Just another milestone in the remarkable renaissance of spoken word in Christchurch and nationally over the last 15 years.

Today's the day, if you're in Christchurch get along to see the best of this year's regional slam champs battle it out on the mic for the national title. Local two-time champion Ray Shipley will lead a three person challenge from Ōtautahi including Barrett Rob and Troy Buckland.

The venue is the pretty much brand new Haeata Community Campus auditorium in Aranui.

Fifteen Years of Literary Lava

It's hard to believe that fifteen years have gone by since the first volume of Catalyst hit the 'shelves' of independent bookstores and libraries. Borne out of a series of writing workshops and the foundation of the Catalyst open mic, the literary arts journal of the same name was the brainchild of Doc Drumheller with ship's mate Ciaran Fox. With graphic design by Andy Gilmore, the first volume of Catalyst featured an all-NZ line up of writers, promising to showcase emerging, fringe and experimental writing and art.

So began a decade and a half of annual anthologies featuring young and/or emerging writers alongside established names both across NZ and also the world. Catalyst has published poetry in translation from a dozen languages and cultures as well as art work from around the globe. It has produced three albums of recorded spoken word and music collaborations. Still committed to supporting emerging talent, Catalyst has grown into an international journal with subscribers and contributors from almost every continent.

Despite international recognition, the journal is still scraping along on the smell of the proverbial oily rag, except even the whiff of oil has long since departed and we are publishing on the basis of a homeopathic pile of thread. In a time marked by the death of multiple, long-standing literary journals in New Zealand, the remarkable determination of one of the 'new kids on the block' is worth celebrating indeed. The number of established print literary journals in NZ is pretty much countable on one hand these days, so long may this oddity wander. If you still like reading poetry in print, may we humbly recommend hitting the 'Subscribe' tab above and joining the odyssey.

On Thursday 30th August, Catalyst launches its 15th volume at The Last Word on New Regent St in Christchurch, as part of WORD Christchurch literary festival. Join us to hear readings from several featured poets as well as stories from the founders and a sizeable whisky selection.

National Poetry Day (NZ) 2018

What a pleasure to be invited to read and host an open mic at Rangiora Library for New Zealand National Poetry Day. An enthusiastic group of readers came to share poetry and a cuppa. Some even brought costumes and props. We even gave a sneak preview of the new Catalyst volume 15 ahead of the official launch this week as part of WORD Christchurch in the New Regent Street Pop-Up Festival.  Many thanks to Waimakariri Libraries for the opportunity.

Christchurch Poetry Slam 2018 - The Rules

Here are the official rules of the Christchurch Poetry Slam as per the NZ Poetry Slam.

 

Sign-up is on the night only - places are limited to 12 participants so get there early.

Rules for NZ Poetry Slam

• 3 minutes or less with no minimum time (10 second grace period before points deduction)

• Time starts when poet speaks, however while poets can have time to settle and adjust microphone etc, this time is not limitless; ideally a poet should start before 10 seconds.

• Original (i.e. your own) poems only

• No props no music no costumes (i.e. clothing related to the content of your poem)

• In the case of a tie a slam-off will be required

• Random draw, for performance order.

 
Judging and scoring:

• 5 Audience Judges (chosen by MC and/or organiser) display score cards 0-10 (Decimal points allowed)

• Top and bottom scores drop off and total of remaining 3 scores is the total

• If Poet goes over grace period MC or Timekeeper to ask scorer to mark down points after the judges score… (Half a point penalty for every 10 seconds over time)

• After 4 minutes the MC can shut down the poet

• 'Sacrificial Poet' (non-competing) to start the night, to help calibrate scores.

• Slams are equally about writing, performance and audience response.

• Slammers should have at least 3 poems, as there will be three rounds for the Regionals and NZ Slam
  …

As always, remember: the point is the poetry not the points!

Christchurch Poetry Slam in association with WORD Christchurch

For the first time ever, we're proud to present the Christchurch Poetry Slam as part of WORD Christchurch, the bi-annual literary festival for readers, writers and the bi-curious.

One of the biggest events on the Christchurch literary calendar, the Slam is going to be even bigger this year due to its inclusion in the festival programme and the interest generated from last year's champion Daisy Speaks going on to take out the NZ Poetry Slam in Hamilton.

There's even more on the line here as the NZ Poetry Slam will this year be hosted in Christchurch, so the 2018 ChCh champ gets to take home crowd advantage for the first time ever.

The Christchurch Poetry Slam 2018 will be hosted by the ever-irreverent Ciaran Fox, Slam Master (an honorary title if ever there was one) and featuring a special guest performance by NZ Slam impresario and one of the world's great performance poets Carrie Rudzinski. 

Pitting poet against poet, newcomer vs old-timer, it's poetry but not as you know it. (Unless you've been to one before...) The audience judges and the challenge to the poets is to connect, communicate and cut through.

Door sales only and this event will likely sell out so don't be late, either as audience or poet. Doors open and sign-up starts at 7pm. There is a limit of 12 slammers, first in, best dressed.

The official NZ Poetry Slam rules are here.

It's nearly Slammin' time! Save the date - 29th Aug - Christchurch Poetry Slam

Raven Chronicles - Balancing Acts - a Sister Cities Programme with Seattle and Christchurch

Catalyst Open Mic feat. Raven Chronicles vol. 25 poetry reading

Wednesday 7th March, 7pm

Space Academy, 371 St Asaph St

Raven Chronicles is a journal of art, literature and spoken word, published in Seattle, USA. With a very similar focus to Catalyst, it seemed a natural pair to collaborate under the Sister Cities programme between Christchurch and Seattle.

A launch event was held last month in Seattle for volume 25 of Raven Chronicles 'Balancing Acts' - this follows the launch of Catalyst volume 13 'Instant Chemistry' in November last year, the first leg of the collaboration.

The next Catalyst Open Mic Night will feature a reading from the selection of Christchurch poets published in the Raven Chronicles Volume 25, 'Balancing Acts' feature. Come celebrate this unique cultural exchange that included a selection of Seattle poets and writers published in Catalyst Volume 13 'Instant Chemistry'.  With readings from their selection of work:  Frankie McMillan, Erik Kennedy, Heather McQuillan, Doc Drumheller, and Fiona Farrell.

Raven Chronicles Journal Vol. 25: writers and artists examine the theme “Balancing Acts,” how we live our life, fully, and maintain our relationship with the earth/planet and the diversity of life on it. Biodiversity is balance in the dance of nature. Edited by: Anna Bálint, Phoebe Bosché, Matt Briggs, Paul Hunter, Doug Johnson. The U.S. contributors in this Balancing Acts-themed Journal live in seventeen states—Washington, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, California, Oregon, Illinois, New Jersey, , Virginia, Idaho, New York, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Alabama, Wisconsin, Florida, Washington, D.C.; and 52% are from Washington State. Contributors, particularly visual artists, also hail from ten countries—U.S., Germany, Colombia, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Canada, Chile, Singapore. There are 58 illustrations/artworks in Vol. 25.

We are pleased to present the work of a selection of established and emerging writers from New Zealand as part of the Sister Cities Program, a collaboration between Seattle and Christchurch, New Zealand.

The editors of Raven Chronicles, A Journal of Art, Literature & The Spoken Word, are pleased to announce their nominations for the 2018 Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses series, the prize chosen by Pushcart Press that anthologizes the best of the small presses publishing this year. The editors of Raven Chronicles nominate the following writers for their work published in Vol. 24 and Vol. 25, in 2017.

1. Fiona Farrell, “Decline and Fall on Savage Street”— Novel Excerpt, pgs. 57-68. Novel excerpt from Decline and Fall on Savage Street, Penguin Random House, New Zealand, 2017.

2. Edward Harkness “Neighborhood Crows”— poem, pgs. 22-23.

3. Nic Low, “Ear to the Ground”— essay, pgs 77-90. “Ear to the Ground,” first published in longer form in Griffith Review 35: Surviving, January, 2012 (https://griffithreview.com/articles/ear-to-the-ground/).

 

For more information: Raven Chronicles

Catalyst 2018 - the open mic returns plus special guest

Happy New Year and all that. We really mean it, though.

(Isn't it funny how a lack of exclamation marks these days seems to seriously denote a cynical/sarcastic tone. So now I feel I have to use 'em just to be normal...)

Happy New Year! We really mean it!

OK, enough of the formalities - the Catalyst Open Mic is kicking off for the year tonight with a special guest from the UK, by way of Wellington and currently hoboing around the country sharing his spoken word. Let us introduce RikTheMost. He's doing shows and workshops in Christchurch before heading off around the motu (island) this February. Check out the flyer below and his website for more stories...

Catalyst Poetry Open Mic
Wednesday 7th Feb, 7pm
Space Academy, 371 St Asaph St
koha for our guest please

Catalyst Crazy Pre-Christmas, Pre-Launch Book Sale!

Note: actual event may differ (wildly) from image.

Catalyst Open Mic + Pre-Launch Book Sale

Wednesday 1st November, 8pm (note later start time)

Space Academy, 371 St Asaph St

We're getting pretty close to launching volume 14 of Catalyst. Which means we're scrimping and saving every penny to get it over the line (and avoid the eye-rolling of our ever-patient and supportive printers). So to that end, we're bringing our annual December book sale forward a month to November.

Next open mic is coming up on Wednesday 1st November and we'll be selling all available issues of Catalyst, and other Republic of Oma Rāpeti Press publications, at our infamous, never-to-be-repeated prices.

This year we're also inviting our wonderful community of poets, writers, scribblers and friends to come along and donate books for sale towards the cause of fundraising for the next volume. Thank you to everyone who has already offered up books, we salute you!

Speaking of the next volume, issue number 14 will be launched on Thursday 23rd November at Space Academy. Stay tuned for further posts about this as Catalyst navigates into its awkward teens heroically unearthing literary lava in the twenty-first century.

Christchurch Poetry Slam 2017 - a new champion!

It was a full house at Space Academy for the 2017 Christchurch Slam. Every seat in the house and a fair few empty kegs pressed into service along with cushions and blankets on the floor as the enthusiastic crowd cheered on a smaller than usual field of poets - not that you'd notice from the intensity.

The audience judges had to use fingers and toes due to a certain MC's forgetfulness but this just added to the hilarity as scores and half-points were demonstrated in a variety of dextrous gestures. Names were drawn out of the teapot of glory by various audience members including former slammers. 2016 ChCh Slam Champ Ray Shipley gave a guest appearance before the final announcments to cap off a pretty thrilling and intense night of poetry.

In the end it came down to three in the final round, all new to the pressure of the final but all saving their best till last. No slam-off required this year after two in the previous two years, the new champ picked up a near perfect score including four 10's to take out the 2017 title. Without further ado:

2017 Christchurch Poetry Slam Champ
Daisy Speaks

Second Place: Isla Martin

Third Place: Josh Watson

Christchurch Poetry Slam 2017

Just reposting this (many thanks to Melanie McKerchar for once again making a pretty fantastic poster!)



The year rolls around so quick! The New Zealand Poetry Slam is on again in November, in Hamilton. So it's time to find Christchurch's champion to take on the unruly northerners.

Once again we're pleased to be hosting the Christchurch Poetry Slam at Space Academy.

Christchurch Poetry Slam
Thursday 12th October, 7pm registration, doors open.
Space Academy 371 St Asaph St
$10 entry (all proceeds towards travel for the winner to the national final)

Remember: to compete you must be available to travel to Hamilton for the 4th November.

For the official rules see here.