Hot on the heels of the premiere poetry party of 2006 – April's unforgettable, record-setting soi 3 modern poets book launch party at West End's Avid Reader bookstore – Australasia's newest poetry publisher, papertiger media, contributed three poets towards an evening of literary excellence in the wilds of the Sunshine Coast hinterland – home, home on the range – in downtown Maleny!
Lovers of exceptional Queensland poetry headed for the hills (of Maleny), more specifically, to Steven Lang’s Maple Street icon, Rosetta Books, to catch five poetry powerhouses – Luke Beesley, B.R. Dionysius, Billy Jones, MTC Cronin, and Jaya Savige – together in an intimate reading, accompanied by fine wine and cheese, and a chaired discussion. Understandably, the event was completely sold out, and the punters did not go away disappointed. Here’s what our man on the scene, Luke Beesley, had to say:
A packed, carefully listening Rosetta Books crowd opened themselves to poetry for the first time since Rosetta began hosting their famous, always sold out, readings.
They did it in style too with arguably one of the strongest poetry line ups assembled in Queensland in recent times.
Billy Jones followed my own reading from Lemon Shark, and he read from Wren Lines with intensity and pithiness. ‘I’ll just let the poems speak for themselves,’ he declared. It was a typically disarming reading too with emotion and clarity.
Perhaps the evening’s highlight was Brett Dionysius who held the audience in the palm of his hand during a stunning reading of his darkly funny and moving poem ‘The Descent of Man’, and others from his inspired soi 3 modern poets title, Universal Andalusia.
Jaya Savige read from latecomers with the ease of a seasoned performer, also airing a new long poem for the first time. Margie Cronin was in a wonderfully irreverent mood – moving through a perky selection from her 11 or so publications.
With my duties out of the way early, I have to say I can’t remember enjoying a poetry reading as much as this one, all helped by the wonderful, intimate ambience created by Steven Lang and his Rosetta Books.
Indeed, gracious thanks to Steven Lang and his staff, Cameron Outridge and the reporters of The Range News, and University of Queensland Press, for much synergy and hard work. We should do it all again soon, don’t you think?
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