Fireside korero

File under: literature, events, Wellington

As part of the Word Festival, last night Thistle Hall stoked up the (electric) fire for Fireside Korero. Amid the usual open mic clichés (public-bar doggerel, undergraduate angst and wild-eyed anarchists) there were some vigorous performance skills, subtle allusions, and even some attention to language. I loved the fantasy of Frank Sargeson and the bananas at New World!

There was also a true sense of camaraderie and welcome (though Don Brash or Kerry Prendergast might have found otherwise if they'd turned up). At 7 tonight, you can see the best of the festival performing in Howltearoa ("I have seen the best minds of my generation getting stoned on Cuba St..." etc).