Mike Redfern
For the Bulletin
Following hot on the heels of the successful Arts on the Edge 2013 Poetry & Prose event in the Centre 64 courtyard last summer, Kimberley poet and Write On writers’ group coordinator Heather Wattie, with the help of Write On members Sharla Smith and Margaret Moe, will introduce a variation of that event to the Kimberley Kaleidoscope festival this August 6. While the event will once again open in the Centre 64 courtyard at 7 p.m. that Wednesday, performers and guests will soon progress from there to various other parts of the arts centre, ending up in the theatre for the grand finale where Angie Abdou, acclaimed author of The Canterbury Trail, The Bone cage, and Anything Boys Do, will read from some of her works.
The Wandering Wordsmythes, as Wattie has dubbed the local writers who will perform that evening, will include Sharla Smith, Margaret Moe, Karen Vold-Oakley, Catherine Lilly-Hooper, Mike Redfern, and Heather herself, of course, among others. They will perform in the courtyard, the gallery, the dance studio, and the upper gallery, as the guests are led, Pied Piper fashion, following the magical flute of Jeannie MacDonald from one location to another. To ease their journey a no-host wine bar will be open for refreshments and appetizers will be served in the dance studio, prepared by Sharla Smith who will also be entertaining on the grand piano. Guests will also have the opportunity to view the many artworks in the Arts on the Edge 2014 adjudicated exhibition in the gallery which will have opened the previous day, Tuesday, August 5.
The Wandering Wordsmythes event will run between 1½ and 2 hours and guests will be required to mount the stairs to the upper gallery and theatre so, regrettably, the event may not be suitable for those with impaired mobility. Tickets are $10, available in advance at Centre 64 and the Snowdrift Café, or at the door.
The Wandering Wordsmythes is just one of the 8 daily events included in the Kimberley Kaleidoscope festival which runs from August 2 to 9. For details check posters around town or go to www.kimberleyarts.com.