Featherston Booktown 2023

A festival of books, storytelling and ideas

A cultural smorgasbord at the eighth Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival

We have a cultural smorgasbord on o er at this year’s Festival. Our audience will de nitely be spoilt for choice,” says Peter Biggs , Chair of the Featherston Booktown Trust. “I can’t wait to see the streets of Featherston alive and humming with book lovers from all walks of life.”

e popular Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival returns for anothaer year of fantastic and diverse literary events over the weekend of 12 –14 May in the beautiful Wairarapa. e annual Festival celebrates all things bookish, with dozens of presentations and workshops about writing, reading, selling, illustrating, printing, making, and publishing. e creative festival – which sets the South Wairarapa and the wider region buzzing – attracted over 8,000 people in 2022 and is set to top that this year.

With a line-up of more than 104 presenters and 51 events, the Festival has something for everyone including tributes to Katherine Mans eld, Te Ao Māori, shipwrecks, poetry, activism, Queer art, cra beer, spooky late-night stories and Pasi ka tales. ere are also 13 events devoted to the cra of the book and 10 free events for tamariki, which follows on from the Young Readers Programme in Schools from 10 - 12 May. Booksellers remain at the heart of the Festival with 30 attending.

e Festival kicks o on Friday 12 May with the sold-out Fish’n’Chip supper featuring guest speaker, broadcaster, and author Guyon Espiner who will join us for two other events over the weekend. Late Night Lit sees nimble writers entertain the audience with ash ction inspired by the words of one of our great story writers: Katherine Mans eld, who died 100 years ago this year. For those looking for some late-night thrills, Camp re Tales returns to chill your bones with four original horror stories written by Aotearoa New Zealand authors.

e rest of the weekend is a stacked bookshelf of events featuring two events in te reo Māori with simultaneous interpretations in English; activism with Māori artist Tāme Iti ; examining the evolution of the book in the digital world; much loved Hairy Maclary creator Lynley Dodd ; a look at Sci- and fantasy novels in Aotearoa New Zealand and a sensitive conversation on the impact of Parihaka on both Māori and Pākehā.

Major Sponsors

12 – 14 May booktown.nz

Saturday night presents a provocative and entertaining lineup with Pasi ka Power featuring some of the most powerful Pasi ka voices in our literary scene followed up with lmmaker Gaylene Preston in conversation with Featherston writer Noelle McCarthy

Saturday’s Late Night Lit highlights the unique poetry of Sam Duckor-Jones (who also has a popup version of his colourful Gloria installation in the Anzac Hall), Poet Laureate Chris Tse and Rebecca Hawkes, who is back by popular demand, and two Te Aro Pā poets, Rachel Buchanan, and Debbie Broughton

Sunday hums along to a vibrant beat when Nick Bollinger talks about the art of writing music with Shayne P Carter (Straitjacket Fits / Dimmer) and Warren Maxwell (Trinity Roots). Politics gets a look in with former minister Chris Finlayson . en, quench your thirst with Emerson Breweries Richard Emerson and his biographer Michael Donaldson .

Celebrating Queer Stories examines the creativity and contribution of our LGBTQIA+ writers and artists. e sold-out Mrs Blackwell’s Mother’s Day A ernoon Tea brings broadcaster and author, Stacey Morrison, Hinemoa Elder and Emma Espiner together for an un ltered and open conversation about health and wellness, whānau, relationships and the guiding force of ancestral knowledge.

“Diversity and inclusivity is the standout theme to this year’s festival and the lineup of writing talent really re ects that,” says Peter Biggs.

“ ere truly is something for everyone. As the world changes and evolves, so does the role of writing in our lives and the programme shines a light on those who seek to make a di erence with the written word. Once again, our tamariki are well catered for with a host of participatory events, for they are the future of the Festival and Aotearoa New Zealand. And, thanks to the generous funding from the South Wairarapa District Council, REAP Wairarapa, South Wairarapa Rotary and Read NZ Te Pou Muramura, all events for tamariki are free.”

e Young Readers Programme in schools starts on 10-12 May and involves 30 events and 26 presenters inspiring 1,500 students at 20 di erent venues including schools, maraes, and halls across the Wairarapa. e extremely popular Book Voucher scheme is back, in which 1,500 $15 book vouchers will be given to local South Wairarapa primary school-aged tamariki thanks to donations made by the Friends and Business Friends of Featherston Booktown

Liz Mellish (Te Ātiawa, Taranaki, Ngāti Ruanui), the Deputy Chair of Featherston Booktown Trust says, “I am particularly excited to see so many Māori writers in the programme this year, which was developed through consultation with our mana whenua. From welcoming Tāme Iti to Featherston for his rst Featherston Booktown appearance; the fully te reo events and the three fabulous wāhine at Mrs Blackwell’s Mother’s Day A ernoon Tea event, our rich culture is celebrated and deeply embedded in this programme.”

2023 also sees the debut of the Featherston Booktown Podcast that was developed and made by Shane Te Pou and Phil Quin in conjunction with Featherston Booktown. e Podcast features some of the guests appearing at the Festival such as Shayne P. Carter, fantasy author Ryan Cahill and artist and poet Sam Duckor-Jones. e theme music for the podcast was composed by Kolya Marks , a Year 13 student from Kuranui College who has a keen interest in composition and has been an attendee of the Festival in previous years.

e Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival is made possible thanks to the continued support of our funders and supporters including Creative New Zealand , e Lion Foundation , Trust House Foundation , Trust House Limited and the South Wairarapa District Council

e Featherston Booktown Karukatea 2023 Festival runs from 12 - 14 May.

Tickets from eventfinda.co.nz

Full programme: booktown.nz

Featherston Community Centre. FREE Join Heather Haylock , author Granny McFlitter picture book and the Featherston Knitters Group for some wild, woolly, fantastically funny and u y fun. You will be wowed by Granny and her quick-as-awink knitting needles as they save show just in the knit of time!

GetOutdoors

GetOutdoors

Craft of the Book

Craft of the Book

12

–14 May

KIDS EVENTS

– 14 May

booktown.nz

KIDS EVENTS

Saturday 13 May 11:00 AM –Midday, St Teresa’s School. FREE

Launch a rocket, fossick in a creek, build an epic fort, hunt for bugs or sleep under the stars. ese are just some of the fascinating activities Wairarapa author Paul Adamson suggests in his latest book, Get Outdoors. Bring the family and gather great ideas for some fresh-air fun.

Saturday 13 May 11:00 AM –Midday, St Teresa’s School. FREE Launch a rocket, fossick in a creek, build an epic fort, hunt for bugs or sleep under the stars. ese are just some of the fascinating activities

Wairarapa author Paul Adamson suggests in his latest book, Get Outdoors. Bring the family and gather great ideas for some fresh-air fun.

KIDS EVENTS

GrannyMcFlitter Knows Knitting

GrannyMcFlitter

Knows Knitting

Saturday 13 May 1:00 PM –2:00 PM, Featherston Community Centre. FREE

Saturday 13 May 1:00 PM –

2:00 PM, Featherston Community Centre. FREE

Join Heather Haylock author of the Granny McFlitter picture book series, and the Featherston Knitters Group for some wild, woolly, fantastically funny and u y fun. You will be wowed by Granny and her quick-as-awink knitting needles as they save the show just in the knit of time!

KIDS EVENTS

Reading NannyMihi with Melanie Drewery

Reading NannyMihi with Melanie Drewery

Saturday 13 May 1:00 PM –

Saturday 13 May 1:00 PM –

2:00 PM, St Teresa’s School. FREE Melanie Drewery author of over 20 children’s books, including the muchloved Nanny Mihi series, will read from her books and talk about what inspires her. Ask her about her journey from idea to published story.

Writing Funny Stories Workshop for 8-12 year olds

Writing Funny Stories Workshop for 8-12 year olds

Sunday 14 May 1:00 PM –2:00 PM, Featherston Community Centre. FREE

2:00 PM, St Teresa’s School. FREE Melanie Drewery, author of over 20 children’s books, including the muchloved Nanny Mihi series, will read from her books and talk about what inspires her. Ask her about her journey from idea to published story.

AmorangiandMillie’sTrip ThroughTimewith

AmorangiandMillie’sTrip ThroughTimewith

Lauren Keenan

Lauren Keenan

Sunday 14 May 11:00 AM –Midday, Featherston Community Centre. FREE

Sunday 14 May 11:00 AM –Midday, Featherston Community Centre. FREE

Join Heather Haylock author of the Granny McFlitter picture book series, and the Featherston Knitters Group for some wild, woolly, fantastically funny and u y fun. You will be wowed by Granny and her quick-as-awink knitting needles as they save the show just in the knit of time!

What do you nd really funny? Join Leela (11) and her dad Raj to work out how you can turn the funny things that crop up in your daily life into a great story. ey turned a joke about people farting uncontrollably into a children’s novel they wrote together – e Bad Smell Hotel!

Sunday 14 May 1:00 PM –2:00 PM, Featherston Community Centre. FREE What do you nd really funny? Join Leela (11) and her dad Raj to work out how you can turn the funny things that crop up in your daily life into a great story. ey turned a joke about people farting uncontrollably into a children’s novel they wrote together – e Bad Smell Hotel!

Singalong with Kath Bee

Singalong with Kath Bee

Sunday 14 May 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, St Teresa’s School. FREE

Sunday 14 May 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, St Teresa’s School. FREE

The Two J’s: Two Writing Workshops for Adults with Joy Cowley and Jillian Sullivan

The Two J’s: Two Writing Workshops for Adults with Joy Cowley and Jillian Sullivan

Saturday 13 May 9:00 AM –Midday, Featherston Community Centre. $30

Saturday 13 May 9:00 AM –Midday, Featherston Community Centre. $30

Start the morning with a warm welcome from two remarkable writers with over 117 years’ of experience between them before you split into groups. Joy Cowley will share what to do before you start writing and o er hints on writing for children, while Jillian Sullivan will focus on how character and structure drive a story.

Start the morning with a warm welcome from two remarkable writers with over 117 years’ of experience between them before you split into groups. Joy Cowley will share what to do before you start writing and o er hints on writing for children, while Jillian Sullivan will focus on how character and structure drive a story.

Creative Strategies for Self-publishers

Creative Strategies for Self-publishers

with Liz Constable

with Liz Constable

Saturday 13 May 3:00 PM –4:00 PM, Featherston Community Centre. $30. With a giveaway personalised pack of a small handmade notebook, a pen and a postcard.

Saturday 13 May 3:00 PM –4:00 PM, Featherston Community Centre. $30. With a giveaway personalised pack of a small handmade notebook, a pen and a postcard.

In this workshop you’ll get to write your own practical and exible stepby-step strategy to help you become a self-published author. Under Liz Constable’s expert guidance you’ll have fun, work out the best way forward for your project and get advice about how to avoid the pitfalls.

The Joy of Writing: Gavin Bishop, Renée, Joy Cowley and Peter Biggs

The Joy of Writing: Gavin Bishop, Renée, Joy Cowley and Peter Biggs

Sunday 14 May 1:00 PM –2:30 PM, Kiwi Hall. $20

Sunday 14 May 1:00 PM –2:30 PM, Kiwi Hall. $20

What brings writers back for more when it’s time to shut down their laptops? Peter Biggs quizzes four of our most esteemed writers and illustrators – Gavin Bishop Renée Joy Cowley and Lynley Dodd – about their writing habits and the joy they get from their work.

In this workshop you’ll get to write your own practical and exible stepby-step strategy to help you become a self-published author. Under Liz Constable’s expert guidance you’ll have fun, work out the best way forward for your project and get advice about how to avoid the pitfalls.

What brings writers back for more when it’s time to shut down their laptops? Peter Biggs quizzes four of our most esteemed writers and illustrators – Gavin Bishop Renée, Joy Cowley and Lynley Dodd – about their writing habits and the joy they get from their work.

Paper-making Workshop with Rob Kennedy

Paper-making Workshop with Rob Kennedy

Something that happened a long time ago can still be relevant today. Awardwinning author, Lauren Keenan, creator of Amorangi and Millie’s Trip rough Time, o ers tricks and tips about how to turn what happened in the past into an interesting story.

Something that happened a long time ago can still be relevant today. Awardwinning author, Lauren Keenan creator of Amorangi and Millie’s Trip rough Time o ers tricks and tips about how to turn what happened in the past into an interesting story.

Join Kath Bee singing songs like Individuality, Dad I wanna be a Camel, Sprinkle A Little Sunshine and more. Dance, sing, do actions and even pop bubbles! Follow Kath to the Chicken and Frog Bookshop, where she will read from her books Dragons Under My Bed and Dougal the Kākāpō and sing more songs.

Join Kath Bee singing songs like Individuality Dad I wanna be a Camel Sprinkle A Little Sunshine and more. Dance, sing, do actions and even pop bubbles! Follow Kath to the Chicken and Frog Bookshop, where she will read from her books Dragons Under My Bed and Dougal the Kākāpō and sing more songs.

Exploring the New Book: Substack/Patreon/Metaverse

Exploring the New Book: Substack/Patreon/Metaverse

Saturday 13 May 11:00 AM –Midday, Featherston School Hall. $15

Saturday 13 May 11:00 AM –Midday, Featherston School Hall. $15

e internet now o ers new ways to read and experience books including Substack, Patreon and the Metaverse. Join one of Substack’s Pro deal writers, Emily Writes and Martin Baynton, creator of other worlds in the Metaverse, as they discuss this brave new world with investigative journalist, Mike White

Illustrators on Stage: Gavin Bishop, Martin Bayntan, Giselle Clarkson and Fifi Colson

Illustrators on Stage: Gavin Bishop, Martin Bayntan, Giselle Clarkson and Fifi Colson

Saturday 13 May 5:00 PM –6:00 PM, Featherston School Hall. $15

e internet now o ers new ways to read and experience books including Substack, Patreon and the Metaverse. Join one of Substack’s Pro deal writers, Emily Writes and Martin Baynton creator of other worlds in the Metaverse, as they discuss this brave new world with investigative journalist, Mike White

Saturday 13 May & Sunday 14 May 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM, St Teresa’s School. $25

Saturday 13 May & Sunday 14 May 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM, St Teresa’s School. $25

Saturday 13 May 5:00 PM –6:00 PM, Featherston School Hall. $15

Illustrators are so important to the success of a picture book. Outstanding experts Gavin Bishop Martin Baynton and Giselle Clarkson share what their life’s work is about in a no-holds-barred discussion de ly wrangled by Fi Colston

Illustrators are so important to the success of a picture book. Outstanding experts Gavin Bishop Martin Baynton and Giselle Clarkson share what their life’s work is about in a no-holds-barred discussion de ly wrangled by Fi Colston

Enjoy learning about this ancient cra , see what paper made from our native plants looks like, join the conversation about the sustainable use of native plants, and then make paper for next year’s Featherston Booktown Visitors’ Book. Suitable for all ages and abilities.

Enjoy learning about this ancient cra , see what made from our native plants looks like, join the conversation about the sustainable use of native plants, and then paper for next year’s Featherston Booktown Visitors’ Book. Suitable for all ages and abilities.

Weekend Highlights

Weekend Highlights

Campfire Tales R13

Campfire Tales R13

Friday 12 & Saturday 13 May 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Friday 12 & Saturday 13 May 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Gallipoli:TheScaleofOurWar

Gallipoli:TheScaleofOurWar

Sunday 14 May 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Kiwi Hall. $15

Sunday 14 May 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Kiwi Hall. $15

Waimarie/RSA. $20 includes a free take-home zine.

Waimarie/RSA. $20 includes a free take-home zine. Gather round as we chill your bones with four dark tales written for this event by Kiwi horror authors. Take home a free zine with the stories and original artwork by T. Wood.

Gather round as we chill your bones with four dark tales written for this event by Kiwi horror authors. Take home a free zine with the stories and original artwork by T. Wood.

Produced by Denver Grenell and Ricky Dey with support from Creative New Zealand

Produced by Denver Grenell and Ricky Dey with support from Creative New Zealand

Paint

Fur Babies: Pets in Print

Fur Babies: Pets in Print

Saturday 13 May 3:00 PM –4:00 PM, Waimarie/RSA. $15

Saturday 13 May 3:00 PM –4:00 PM, Waimarie/RSA. $15

Kotahi Miriona Tāngata E Kōrero Ana. One Million Speakers.

Kotahi Miriona Tāngata E Kōrero Ana. One Million Speakers.

Author Spotlight: The Pioneering Life and Work of Jacquie Sturm/Te Kare Papuni

Author Spotlight: The Pioneering Life and Work of Jacquie Sturm/Te Kare Papuni

Kiwi

Klassics: Paul Millar on CoalFlatby Bill Pearson

Kiwi Klassics: Paul Millar on CoalFlatby Bill Pearson

In a tribute to Lydia Wevers 1950–2021

In a tribute to Lydia Wevers 1950–2021

Gallipoli: e Scale of Our War is one of Te Papa’s most viewed exhibitions. ree contributors to the companion book – exhibition director Chris Pugsley, curator Puawai Cairns and creator Sir Richard Taylor – tell Peter Biggs how the Gallipoli campaign was brought to life through this compelling exhibition.

Gallipoli: e Scale of Our War is one of Te Papa’s most viewed exhibitions. ree contributors to the companion book – exhibition director Chris Pugsley, curator Puawai Cairns, and creator Sir Richard Taylor – tell Peter Biggs how the Gallipoli campaign was brought to life through this compelling exhibition.

it

Pink

Gloria Pop-up Installation by Sam Duckor-Jones

Paint it Pink –Gloria Pop-up Installation by Sam Duckor-Jones

–

Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 May 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Back of the Anzac Hall, entrance via Birdwood Street. KOHA

Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 May 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Back of the Anzac Hall, entrance via Birdwood Street. KOHA

Former Featherstonian, Sam DuckorJones, returns to share his innovative and immersive art. Gloria, based on his new home of the same name in Greymouth, will explode this year’s festival with resplendent pink hues and tones, and invite you to re ect on transformation – both artistic and human.

Former Featherstonian, Sam DuckorJones returns to share his innovative and immersive art. Gloria, based on his new home of the same name in Greymouth, will explode this year’s festival with resplendent pink hues and tones, and invite you to re ect on transformation – both artistic and human.

The Secret Art of Editing

The Secret Art of Editing

Saturday 13 May 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, The Joy Cowley Room, The Royal Hotel. $15

Saturday 13 May 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, The Joy Cowley Room, The Royal Hotel. $15

Poet Laureate Chris Tse chairs a panel of graduates of the Whitireia Publishing Programme, Jasmine Sargent, Madison Hamill and Callum Knight who reveal the realities of editing and being edited. Bring your burning publishing questions!

We are second in the world for pet ownership. Why do we love our fur babies so much? Dame Lynley Dodd of Hairy Maclary fame, investigative journalist and dog lover, Mike White and award-winning writer and cat lover, Ashleigh Young, explore our obsession in conversation with Deborah Coddington

We are second in the world for pet ownership. Why do we love our fur babies so much? Dame Lynley Dodd of Hairy Maclary fame, investigative journalist and dog lover, Mike White, and award-winning writer and cat lover, Ashleigh Young explore our obsession in conversation with Deborah Coddington

Saturday 13 May 5:00 PM –6:00 PM, Kiwi Hall. $15

Saturday 13 May 5:00 PM –6:00 PM, Kiwi Hall. $15

I whakakorengia, ā i panaia e te ao mō te nuinga o te rau tau tahi mano iwa rau, heoi, kei te kaha tonu te whakaorangia o te reo Māori, ā, he kotahi miriona tāngata kōrero Māori te whainga mō te tau 2040 e tino haumarutia ai te reo.

Will we have one million te reo speakers by 2040? Join Tāmati Rimene Sproat (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Rangitāne) as he discusses the journey of te reo Māori with language champions, Ngahiwi Apanui (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti and Stacey Morrison (Kai Tahu, Te Arawa).

I whakakorengia, ā panaia e te ao mō te nuinga o te rau tau tahi mano iwa rau, heoi, kei te kaha tonu te whakaorangia o te reo Māori, ā, he kotahi miriona tāngata kōrero Māori te whainga mō te tau 2040 e tino haumarutia ai te reo. Will we have one million te reo speakers by 2040? Join Tāmati Rimene Sproat (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Rangitāne) as he discusses the journey of te reo Māori with language champions, Ngahiwi Apanui (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Hine) and Stacey Morrison (Kai Tahu, Te Arawa).

Other Worlds – Sci-fi and Fantasy Fiction in Aotearoa

Other Worlds – Sci-fi and Fantasy Fiction in Aotearoa

Saturday 14 May 3:00 PM –4:00 PM, The Joy Cowley Room, The Royal Hotel. $15

Saturday 14 May 3:00 PM –4:00 PM, The Joy Cowley Room, The Royal Hotel. $15

Sunday 14 May 11:00 AM –

Sunday 14 May 11:00 AM –

Midday, Kiwi Hall. $15

Midday, Kiwi Hall. $15

Jacquie Sturm, o en only known as James K. Baxter’s wife, emerged as an important literary voice in her own right. Based on her newly published collected works, Roger Steele considers her life and art with her friend, Renée, and academic Paul Millar

Jacquie Sturm, o en only known as James K. Baxter’s wife, emerged as an important literary voice in her own right. Based on her newly published collected works, Roger Steele considers her life and art with her friend, Renée and academic Paul Millar

Sunday 14 May 1:00 PM –2:00 PM, The Joy Cowley Room, The Royal Hotel. $15

Sunday 14 May 1:00 PM –2:00 PM, The Joy Cowley Room, The Royal Hotel. $15

Bill Pearson was a sensitive boy brought up as a working-class West Coaster, an academic, writer and gay man. His biographer Paul Millar will traverse Pearson’s fascinating life and controversial writings, including his iconic novel Coal Flat Pro ts from this session go to the Lydia Wevers Scholarship in New Zealand Studies.

Bill Pearson was a sensitive boy brought up as a working-class West Coaster, an academic, writer and gay man. His biographer Paul Millar will traverse Pearson’s fascinating life and controversial writings, including his iconic novel Coal Flat Pro ts from this session go to the Lydia Wevers Scholarship in New Zealand Studies.

In te reo with simultaneous English interpretations.

In te reo with simultaneous English interpretations.

The Hopfather – Most of this Actually Happened

The Hopfather – Most of this Actually Happened

Sunday 14 May 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Waimarie/RSA. $15

Sunday 14 May 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Waimarie/RSA. $15

Celebrating Queer Stories

Celebrating Queer Stories

Sunday 14 May 11:00 AM –

Sunday 14 May 11:00 AM –

Poet Laureate Chris Tse chairs a panel of graduates of the Whitireia Publishing Programme, Jasmine Sargent Madison Hamill and Callum Knight, who reveal the realities of editing and being edited. Bring your burning publishing questions!

Sci- can bring answers in through the back door long before science comes in the front. Danyl McLauchlan talks to sci- writer Gina Cole fantasy author Ryan Cahill and Quentin Wilson publisher of the late Phillip Mann’s last sci- novel.

Sci- can bring answers in through the back door long before science comes in the front. Danyl McLauchlan talks to sci- writer Gina Cole, fantasy author Ryan Cahill, and Quentin Wilson, publisher of the late Phillip Mann’s last sci- novel.

Midday, The Joy Cowley Room, The Royal Hotel. $15

Midday, The Joy Cowley Room, The Royal Hotel. $15 Be part of celebrating the creativity and contribution of our LGBTQIA+ writers and artists. Playwright and author Victor Rodger and art historian, biographer and non- ction writer Joanne Drayton explore queer art and writing with Poet Laureate Chris Tse

Be part of celebrating the creativity and contribution of our LGBTQIA+ writers and artists. Playwright and author Victor Rodger and art historian, biographer and non- ction writer Joanne Drayton explore queer art and writing with Poet Laureate Chris Tse

In his biography of Richard Emerson e Hopfather, Michael Donaldson tells the story of our pre-eminent brewer, o en lauded as the godfather of our cra beer industry. Hear from the man who built our modern beer scene and nd out how Michael made this tale of adversity and triumph into a book. Moderated by Ryan McArthur

In his biography of Richard Emerson, e Hopfather Michael Donaldson tells the story of our pre-eminent brewer, o en lauded as the godfather of our cra beer industry. Hear from the man who built our modern beer scene and nd out how Michael made this tale of adversity and triumph into a book. Moderated by Ryan McArthur

The Cruel Sea –Shipwreck Stories

The Cruel Sea

–

Shipwreck Stories

Sunday 14 May 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, The Joy Cowley Room, The Royal Hotel. $15

Sunday 14 May 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, The Joy Cowley Room, The Royal Hotel. $15

Cristina Sanders, author of Mrs Jewell and the Wreck of the General Grant, and John McCrystal, author of Worse ings Happen at Sea discuss their mutual obsession with tall ships, the people and treasure they carried, and how and where they were wrecked around our treacherous shoreline.

Cristina Sanders, author of Mrs Jewell and the Wreck of the General Grant and John McCrystal author of Worse ings Happen at Sea, discuss their mutual obsession with tall ships, the people and treasure they carried, and how and where they were wrecked around our treacherous shoreline.

Notes on the Page –Writing Music

Notes on the Page –Writing Music

Sunday 14 May 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Waimarie/RSA. $15

Sunday 14 May 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Waimarie/RSA. $15

Writer and broadcaster Nick Bollinger with Shayne P. Carter (Straitjacket Fits, Dimmer) and Featherston’s own Warren Maxwell (Trinity Roots, Little Bushman) discuss di erent approaches to writing music and making a life in music. A erwards, the Featherston Vinyl Club will spin some tunes to get your toes tapping and close out the Featherston Booktown 2023 Karukatea Festival in style.

Writer and broadcaster Nick Bollinger with Shayne P. Carter (Straitjacket Fits, Dimmer) and Featherston’s own Warren Maxwell (Trinity Roots, Little Bushman) discuss di erent approaches to writing music and making a life in music. A erwards, the Featherston Vinyl Club will spin some tunes to get your toes tapping and close out the Featherston Booktown 2023 Karukatea Festival in style.