Festival to light up winter's night

"The Sheriff” rides into town

A better yarn was never had than that over the bar at the Cardrona Hotel in Central Otago. Proprietor Brian Gilbert "The Sheriff" could spin with the best of them, including Kiwi icon and legend, Barry Crump. Crump was a regular at the Cardrona and Gilbert soon became a good mate – and he has Crump’s old hat to prove it.

Brian’s six years at the Cardrona gave him time and space to indulge his love of poetry. Pen to page was his thing. He spouted of few of them to his mates from time to time but never much in the public arena.

“Nah,” says Brian, I was never one for public speaking and the like. But I loved writing, both poems and yarns. That’s how come Crump gave me his hat. The deal was, I could have the hat provided I wrote my own book. That was 29 years ago!”

Well the book hasn’t been written yet but Brian “The Sheriff” Gilbert has a wealth of poems under his belt and he will be stepping out of the shadows later this month to perform as the featured guest at Golden Bay Live Poets Society gathering at the Mussel Inn. His set will be preceded by the long-running open mic session for poets and singers and storytellers.

"Actually getting The Sheriff on stage has been a challenge," says Mark Raffills, spokesperson for Golden Bay Live Poets. "But we are going to be in for a walloping good time."

This former electrician, who has served his time in a number of adventurous "trades", returned to the Bay 16 years ago. And that long-promised book? Well, it may be a step closer after this, Brian's first public performance of his poems.

Open Mic participants should get in early on the night to book a spot behind the microphone, with kick off around 7.30pm.

Mussel Inn, Thursday 29 June, 7.30pm, $5.

Premix GOLDEN BAY Servicing

JO RICHARDS

Tākaka town will be lit up next Saturday in what promises to be a spectacular celebration of midwinter.

The Community Light Festival has been organised by the Golden Bay Arts Council in collaboration with other local organisations and individuals. Arts worker Claire French says all parties have worked together to bring something “super special” to the Bay.

The 1 July event is planned as a moveable feast of entertainment, with venues including The Village Theatre, Junction Green, and Roots Bar.

As an entrée, the Village Theatre will serve up a two-hour cabaret show of circus, dance, music, comedy, spoken word, lighting and projections.

This is followed by the al fresco main course at Junction Green. It's a tasty dish featuring an African drum concert, a dance and light show by Dance Collective Mohua (DCM), and fire performance from the Wonder-Full Youth Fire Crew. Braziers will help to keep the party-goers warm, along with the hot chocolate, soup, and other treats on sale. The Green will also showcase a display of interactive light sculptures.

For dessert, the focus shifts to Roots Bar, where from 7.30pm until 9pm, everyone is invited to the afterparty to enjoy fire performances by local spinners. And when the fire finally dies down, lasers and DJs will carry on lighting up the night until 2am.

The festival’s warm glow will be felt well beyond the main venues. “We've even asked local shopkeepers to light up their windows for the event,” says Claire. “And there will be a special jellyfish light display in the Hospice Shop window that was created in Arts Council youth workshops.”

Claire says she is “super excited” about the collaboration and is looking forward to the big night out. “It's been really fun to work with such a committed, talented and passionate range of creators… We can't wait to share what we've produced with you all. We ask you to bring cash, lanterns, glow toys, and best smile to light up the night with us.”

Community Light Festival schedule:

3pm: Cabaret at the Village Theatre. Koha entry (suggested $10). 5pm: Drum, dance, and fire performances at Junction Green. Free entry.

7.30pm: Afterparty at Roots Bar. Entry $10 (kids free).