Wellington-based writer/musician Hinemoana Baker will be presenting a multi-media performance at the Word of Mouth weekend as part of this year's Going West Books & Writers Festival. From 2nd to 25th September the festival celebrates its 10th anniversary from humble beginnings in a very cold warehouse at the former Corbans Winery to its regular venue in Titirangi Memorial Hall. This year also features Jane Clifton, Marcus Lush, Finlay McDonald, and others...
Wellington-based writer/musician Hinemoana Baker will be presenting a multi-media performance at the Word of Mouth weekend as part of this year's Going West Books & Writers Festival. From 2nd to 25th September the festival celebrates its 10th anniversary from humble beginnings in a very cold warehouse at the former Corbans Winery to its regular venue in Titirangi Memorial Hall. This year also features Jane Clifton, Marcus Lush, Finlay McDonald, and others...
This year's literary weekend titled, Word of Mouth, runs from September 9-11 at Titirangi Memorial Hall. Authors from around the country descend on the West to discuss and read from their work in a convivial atmosphere where there's fine wine and food as well as nourishment for the spirit.

Word of Mouth's opening night, Friday 9th September, presents poetry from Bill Manhire, a keynote address from Nigel Cox on his experience of returning home after five years in Berlin, and a multi-media show from writer/musician Hinemoana Baker. With a visual sub-text provided by sound engineer/photographer Andrew Dalziel, Baker performs highlights from her recent touring show that blends music from her debut album puawai, and poetry from her first collection matuhi|needle.

A special 10TH anniversary celebration, No Ordinary Sun, takes place in the same venue on Saturday evening 10th September with a tribute to one of our most-loved poets, Hone Tuwhare. There'll be readings of Hone's work by Don Selwyn and performances by Hinemoana Baker, Graham Brazier and Te Kupu, three of the musicians selected by Charlotte Yates to appear on the recently released Tuwhare CD. The party concludes with a screening of Michelle McGregor's film Tuwhare, The Return Home - an affectionate portrayal of the poet's 2002 Northland tour with fellow bard Glenn Colquhoun.

Highlights from the rest of this weekend literary feast include: sessions with novelists Stephanie Johnson, Charlotte Grimshaw, Emily Perkins, and acclaimed Australian author, Delia Falconer; poetry from Anne French; writer Trish Gribben and painter Michael Smither on their recent book collaboration; Rosemary McLeod on women's handcrafts and design critic Douglas Lloyd Jenkins on kiwis "at home"; our great documentarian Barry Barclay is in conversation with Bob Harvey; super-geek Paul Reynolds reports on the state of the word at the wireless frontier; and journalist Jane Clifton examines Political Animals with Finlay MacDonald.
On the theatre front, Going West has lured veteran actress Geraldine Brophy back to Waitakere City with her one-woman show Confessions of a Chocoholic at the Glen Eden Playhouse, September 2nd and 3rd. A former westie during her long stint as a core cast member of Shortland Street, Brophy premiered this bittersweet tale of chocolate and heartache in a Petone cafe before it was snapped up by Downstage and other theatres around the country.

You don't have to be a published writer to sign up for the September 3rd Poetry Slam, an event that emphasizes the 'performance' aspect of reading verse. Poetry 'slamming' debuted at Going West in 2004 with such resounding success that it's now a permanent festival fixture. Set rules apply with MC Michael Rudd in charge. Poets compete for cash prizes totaling $950 and are judged by members of the audience.

The festival's finale is the day-long nostalgic steam train journey to Helensville and back, Off the Rails, Sunday September 25th. Once on board passengers are wined and dined with readings at historic stops up the line. Maurice Gee, whose novel Going West the festival is named after, returns as a special guest. He's joined by poets Paula Green, Meg and Alastair Campbell, performance duo Edwina Thorne and Marilyn Waring; writing team Karyn Hay and Andrew Fagan; and train enthusiast Marcus Lush.

With double tracking and Sunday rail services imminent, this will be the swansong for this uniquely westie experience.
Other festival events include: a secondhand Bookmarket; a free day of storytelling delights for the whole family at Storyfest; Films Out West screening documentaries on photographers Marti Friedlander and the late Robin Morrison, plus Maori archival film footage; Just For Laughs - a comedy night hosted by Ewen Gilmour; poetry writing workshop with Paula Green; a music night featuring the Jews Brothers; and text-based exhibitions at Lopdell House Gallery and Corban Estate Arts Centre.

Visit www.goingwest.co.nz for full programme details or phone (09) 836 8000 for a festival registration brochure.