Performance Events at WORD Christchurch Festival

ŌTAUTAHI POETRY SLAM FINAL

The rough diamond in the crown of the poetry calendar!

TĪMATAKA

Ben Brown (Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Koroki, Ngāti Paoa), Ruby Solly (Kāi Tahu, Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe) and Ariana Tīkao (Kāi Tahu) open the festival with a stirring and soul-warming evening of storytelling, poetry and waiata.

NAMING THE SIRENS

Thursday, 24 August 6:00 pm

Join Sudden Valley Press poets Gail Ingram, Jeni Curtis, Janet Wainscott and Marisa Cappetta for a celebration of local poetry.

DIRTY PASSPORTS

Thursday, 24 August 8:00 pm

Bringing this sell-out show to his hometown, Chinese-Kiwi playwright Nathan Joe has curated a celebration of the finest BIPOC storytellers and spoken word artists.

UNRULY MEMORIES

Friday, 25 August 6:00 pm

Nathan Joe, Claudia Jardine, Isla Huia (Te Āti Haunui a-Pāpārangi, Uenuku), Frankie McMillan and Ariana Tikao (Kāi Tahu) come together to weave words within the bricks, mortar and stone of The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora.

CABINET OF CURIOSITIES

Friday, 25 August 7:00 pm

Our ever-popular tiny lecture series returns as Emily Perkins, Gabriel Krauze, Andrew Paul Wood, Melody Thomas and Juanita Hepi share their weird and wonderful deep obsessions.

RAY SHIPLEY’S LATE NIGHT POETRY HOUR

Friday, 25 August 9:00 pm

Christchurch’s favourite nocturnal salon brings together visiting out-of-towners and hot locals for a memorable night of poetry, shenanigans, feelings and staying up far too late.

RISK! THE WORD GALA [ON DEMAND]

17 Sep - 17 Sep 2023 11:59 pm

RISK! The WORD Gala with dazzling featured guests Gabriel Krauze (UK), Kevin Jared Hosein (Trinidad and Tobago), David Keenan (Scotland), Meg Mason (Australia/New Zealand) and DaisySpeaks (New Zealand/Samoa) sharing moments when they’ve taken a risk and lived to tell the tale.