The Stars Their Destination: Wellington, Palmerston North, The Edge of the Universe

2009 is the International Year of Astronomy, and so it’s fitting that there’s an astronomical theme to several forthcoming writing events. (If you know of more astropoetry events, please tell us about them in the comments.)

If the combination of poetry and astronomy interests you, then I recommend Emily Gaskin’s Astropoetica, not only a fine online magazine of astronomical poetry, but a paying poetry market!

Wellington

Montana Poetry Day events in Wellington on 24 July include an all-day open mike poetry event in Cuba Mall, by the Bucket Fountain. But I’m especially interested in the lunchtime event:

There will also be an Astropoetry Lunch Hour celebrating the International Year of Astronomy during which poets can read any ‘astronomy’ themed poems.

Open to all; free entry. Contact Graham Wolf on graham.w.wolf (at) gmail.com

Palmerston North

Helen Lehndorf and the other organisers of the Stand Up Poetry series in Palmerston North are also involved in this exciting event:

Eyes in the Skies: Poetry and art for Matariki

“Eyes in the Skies” is both an exhibition and an event. The exhibition runs from 3 July (launch at 7.30pm) to 4 August at the Square Edge Gallery, 47 The Square, Palmerston North. It features poetry by Helen Lehndorf, Margi Mitcalfe, Karlo Mila, Johanna Aitchison, Felicity Yates, Philippa Elphick and Elizabeth Coleman, and art by printmaker Virginia Jamieson and sculptor Warren Warbrick.

The Poetry Day event is from 5.30 pm onwards, Friday 24th July 2009 at Square Edge:

Using nga taongapuoro and voice, HAUnt Wind Stories presents an evening of music showcasing new poems by seven Manawatu poets including Karlo Mila and Johanna Aitchison. The poems will be made into prints by Virginia Jamieson and unveiled during this event. The poems and prints will also be sold in book form at the event.

Open to all. Email HAUnt (at) inspire.net.nz for further information.

Tim Upperton’s Book Launch

I don’t know of an astronomy connection to Tim Upperton’sbook, although there may well be one – but Tim’s a fine poet (and a gracious host), and his first collection of poetry, A House On Fire, is being launched, also on Poetry Day in Palmerston North: it’s happening at 7pm on Friday 24 July at the Palmerston North City Library, also in The Square. A House On Fire will be introduced by Roger Steele of Steele Roberts, who are publishing the book.

Another commitment will prevent me from going to this launch, but if you can make it, you should!

The Edge of the Universe

The Royal Society’s Manhire Prize for Creative Science Writing is awarded each year in two categories, fiction and nonfiction. Here is this year’s announcement:

“I live at the edge of the universe, like everybody else.”
–Bill Manhire

This year we are celebrating the International Year of Astronomy. Ever since Galileo first aimed his telescope at Jupiter’s moons, technology has been enlarging our knowledge of the universe.

We now know our own insignificance and isolation and yet we have immense power to communicate as never before. The race of humans is isolated in space and time and yet where, as individuals, do we go to be alone?

A cash prize of $2500 will be awarded to the winner of each category. The closing date for entries is Tuesday 22 September 2009.

The Manhire Prize for Creative Science Writing is organised by the Royal Society of New Zealand in association with the New Zealand Listener magazine and the International Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria University of Wellington.

For more information, terms and conditions and entry forms visit http://www.royalsociety.org.nz or contact: Danae Staples-Moon, ph 04 470 5770 or email danae (at) royalsociety.org.nz