MUSING THE WINTER AWAY

Here I am having a good time at the Music & Musings
event in front of Kate O'Connor's poems in paint

Where did winter go ... oh I know ... the Yazzbar in Yass that's where. A solo exhibition in June titled Putting A Face To It followed by a group exhibition of framed poems called Poems On Walls July-August, plus events. Let's start at the end and work backwards.

Anthorr Thomas (left), Bronwyn Todd, Thomas Weaver,
Daniel Kelly closing Music & Musings with a session at the Yazzbar

On Saturday the 29th we had Music & Musings the closing event of Poems On Walls – folk, modern, traditional, Irish music alternating with free verse, sonnets, haiku, tanka and bush poetry. Over thirty people came from surrounding areas, Canberra and even Canada! We are all especially grateful to the musicians for collaborating in the event. Daniel Kelly, Yass folk musician, singer/songwriter opened the show and performed some extra sets, while Thomas Weaver of Canberra showed their versatility playing cello and octo mandola and singing songs from around the world. Bronwyn Todd, singer and fiddle player arrived with Anthorr Thomas and his bodhrán and joined in with Thomas. All four musicians rounded off the afternoon playing together in a Session. Poets and musicians contributed to an outstanding afternoon.

Jane Baker has published several collections of poetry
and supports the region's writers through Yass Valley Writers

The Poems On Walls opening event on August 9 was more intimate with poets and a few friends sharing poetry including some hung in the exhibition. It was a very pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Huge thanks to the fifteen poets who rallied to the short notice callout, framed their poems, helped hang the exhibition and rolled up for the events. They are: Jane Baker (ask about her hands-on research on church bells!), Marianne Boruch, Colin Campbell, Glenys Ferguson, Hazel Hall, Therese van Leeuwen, Craig McArthur, Jenni Kemarre Martiniello, Lizz Murphy (moi), Kate O'Connor, Greg Piko, Jay Sargeant, Sarah St Vincent Welch, Robyn Sykes, Ali Whitelock. Some are members of Postcards from the Sky, some are members of Yass Valley Writers, some aren't – we just like them too. They're from Binalong, Yass, Canberra and Wallendbeen. What a delight they all are – please seek out their poetry.

Many thanks to Melanie Leahy, Yazzbar co-owner with Matt Leahy, for suggesting Poems On Walls. Thanks also to the Yazzbar team for their support and hospitality. Check out the Yazzbar entertainment program and full winebar and food menu here: yazzbar.com.au

Putting A Face To It was another beautiful opportunity which took care of June. An enquiry about hanging a handful of oil pastel and text drawings some time, quickly turned into a full show. Lucky I had a pile at hand just waiting to be framed. The always eloquent Jenni Kemarre Martiniello opened the exhibition on June 13 to a merry band of about twenty supporters. That was another grand afternoon. 

Great appreciation again to Yazzbar and thank you for the support you give to local artists and local and visiting musicians.

Until the next mad idea ...