Poetry to bring joy and ideas to Rotorua windows

Co-owner of Picnic cafe Lin Schaeffers is excited to have Poetry in Windows again this year. Photo/Stephen Parker

Lin Schaeffers is adamant she isn't a poet, but she's excited to have poetry displayed in her cafe's windows for National Poetry Day.

The co-owner of Picnic Cafe on Whakaue St, Mrs Schaeffers loved being involved with community art advocates Jill Walker and Angela Frank's project Poetry in Windows last year, and was keen to get involved again.

Poems will be displayed in shops and businesses around town starting on National Poetry Day tomorrow. "It brings a little bit of Kiwiana and discussion with customers, it's a lovely idea," Mrs Schaeffers said.

She said a new poem would be put up each week for the next eight weeks.

Mrs Walker said they started Poetry in Windows last year was because they wanted people walking by to stop and read the poems.

"It's letting people who wouldn't go to a poetry slam be able to get involved, we want poetry in our city.

"We want words and poems to be a part of people's lives," Ms Frank said.

There are several other events being held in Rotorua from today to Saturday night August 26 to celebrate the poetry form.

Tonight local creative Karin Vincent will be at the Night Market, at her tea and happiness van, with a box of poems from New Zealand poet David Merritt.

The box is one of nine Mr Merritt has sent around New Zealand for National Poetry Day.

Members of the public are invited to read his work, "often hard-hitting, emotional and striking poetry", Mrs Vincent said.

McLeod's Booksellers have organised to again host "Poetry Shots" on Saturday evening where various local poets read from their personal collections, accompanied by musicians.

Mrs Walker and Ms Frank have also organised for zine collector, and curator of the Portable Zine Museum, Samantha Dew, to take both kids and adults zine-making workshops on Saturday.

A zine is a self-published magazine, often a work of original or appropriated texts and images, usually reproduced via photocopier.

The workshops will provide an experience for participants to interact with a range of zines, develop material, then design and create their own, personal zine.

All materials are supplied and the workshops are free.

The Rotorua Mad Poets Society are hosting two events - the first today launching its 11th anthology Madness in Atlantis at the Rotorua Library.

Jackie Evans, secretary of the society, said it was important to encourage creativity.

The edition includes a chapter of poems by 30 local children on two themes - Matariki and Rotorua.

Eight winners of the youth poetry competition will be announced at the launch.

Tomorrow the Mad Poets would also be putting on the Rhythm and Rhymes event.

President of Mad Poets, Des Parsons, said he would be MC'ing the event which will include around 20 musicians and 12 poets.

"People will be entertained by original music and poetry - it'll be short, punchy and funny. We did [the event] last year and it went off really well."

The free event will take place at the Te Runanga Tea House in the Government Gardens between 7pm and 9.30pm.