You may remember I recently attended the Auckland Zinefest. Here’s a little review I whipped up for the Sticky Institute in Melbourne:
“A rainy Saturday didn’t stop hordes of zinesters and DIY enthusiasts heading to Auckland’s 2010 Zinefest. Held in the gorgeous Neo-Greek surrounds of St. Kevin’s Arcade, the festival featured numerous stalls upstairs selling crafts, paper goods, and art; while downstairs the Wine Cellar hosted a zine library, workshops, and talks on a variety of subjects.
Presiding over the whole shebang from the volunteer-run info desk was a sneaker wearing Tyrannosaurs-Rex. Lovingly cast in glass, the Jurassic Zine Of the Fest trophy was a sweet carrot for a whole lot of zinesters to get their paper babies finished for the day. And finish they did! Zine highlights included: Health Wealth and Happiness (a great collection of local AKL found ephemera) and literary/art journal Potroast, with a resplendent full colour cover of hydrangeas. I also loved issue 11 of Cupcakemonsters and Radio As Paper.
Tes Clark’s screen-printing workshop was a winner with crowds of people learning and printing all afternoon long. Bryce Galloway of Incredibly Hot Sex With Hideous People’s talk on a Massey University zine was an insightful look at 20 or so zines made by curious fine arts students. It was interesting to hear him talk about the requirement to focus on distribution a central part of the ‘art’ process, which resulted in makers leaving zines on buses, pegging them to trees and anonymously mailing missives to high school art teachers.
In the evening the after party rocked into the wee hours downstairs at the Wine Cellar/Whammy Bar. Revellers were treated to fantastic performances from local bands like Hold Dear, Ghost Wave, Mothers Of Darkness and spoken word artists The Literatti. Resident postie Nich presented the ‘zine of the fest’ award in full friendly postman regalia, cycle shorts and all. The triumphant winners on the day were Ya-Wen Ho and Simon Fletcher for their mini illustrated zine.
Thanks must go to all attendees and the organisers for a great day out. Here’s hoping next year will be just as awesome; in the words of New Zealanders everywhere, and an apt response to zines – A++, would trade again!”
And here’s a terrible picture of my great collectible Zinefest tee! Love it.
The posters for the four books we’ve read so far at Book Club For Drunks! This is a mostly-monthly book club I host for people who enjoy the fine combination of reading and drinking. As this combination sometimes impairs memories, we provide notes for each meeting detailing the author’s life, cocktail recipes, how the book starts and key liquor infused quotes. (If you’re interested in reading a PDF of these notes please email me.)
Up next is F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Jazz Age novel, The Great Gatsby:
F. S. F.’s a bit of a babe, don’t you think?
My friend Tessa is running Auckland Zinefest again this year and thought you might be interested in getting involved:
Auckland Zinefest is a non-profit community event that celebrates and promotes DIY and self publishing in Auckland city. Previously it was held at Cross Street Studios in 2009. Before this, there was a zinefest about 4 years prior that was put on under the name “Small Print”. (Check out some photos from 2003 – friends, you all look so young!)
This year Zinefest will be held at St Kevins Arcade and Wine Cellar in Newton, Auckland. The after party will take place at Wine Cellar and Whammy Bar. Zinefest is run by volunteers who have a passion for community arts projects and zines.
AN A TO Z OF BAD CRUSHES
In the spirit of DIY and getting involved, I’m putting together a zine for this fine event. Some one very wise once said, “Write what you know”. While I am obviously an expert in the proposed topic, I do need some help. I’m looking for written pieces/lists/musings on hopeless romances, failed Facebook stalking and other examples of melancholic modern love. Bad crushes, oh yeah.
For example: C could be for Crabby Bartenders (oh, there’s been a few) or I, as in I Want Amber In An Iron Maiden under the sea (this story obviously needs publication)…
Deadline: July 1, 2010 – so lots of time!
If you’re interested: email me – amber@codeforsomething.com
One last thing: Anonymity is offered, should you require it!
I just wanted to show y’all my pretty poster:
by Amber on December 18, 2009 in Notebook
Hey Aucklanders! The crew at Cross Street are holding a MEGA garage sale next week on Tuesday December 22nd. There’ going to be some nice sounds, courtesy of: Dole Day Rage, Dr Octopuss, Swampy Tonk, Ivy Rossiter and Sam Hamilton.
Entertainment and fooding good times include a vegan BBQ, Dan’s Jerk Chicken Shack, the infamous Cross Street punch, Cleo from First Thursday’s jump rope play team, Mikey from Smoking Hot Bitch Fight’s rap workshop (do not miss this!) and a Cross Street ping pong tournament – MC’d by Damian from Stress Cadet. Phew! You can also bring a tshirt and get it screen printed with Tes.
But wait, there’s more! There’s the garage sale part with stalls and other fun treats in store for y’all. My darling friend Liss and I will be manning a stall of fine vintage goods, other treats – and of course will be facilitating some scintillating conversation with all the punters. Please come see us!
CROSS STREET STUDIOS 27 Cross Street | Tuesday 22 December, 4pm til late.
COME TO OUR SHOW! If you’re in Auckland on September 20, pop along for an evening of scientific education and enthrallment. It’s going to be incredible and I would love to see you all there!
The Happening is MOTAT on crack – featuring collaborative works from 10 of Auckland’s best video, sound and installation artists.
The Happening was born in summer 2001 as part of a series of interactive multi-media events, coordinated by Scotland’s The Forest arts collective. Featuring artists from around the world The Happening encourages its participants to transform the purpose and appearance of each venue into an experience best described as “Ultra Fuck”.
8 years and 7 Happenings on, original members Krumins and Boyd have gathered sound and video artists, performers, sculptors and assemblers from across the city to take part in the Auckland Happening at Cassette Number Nine in September.
The event will involve artists working for and against each other with the sole aim of flipping Cassette over. They’re yanking the tape from its belly and reveling in the opportunity to fuck with the space in ways you’ve never dreamed of.
Auckland participants include: Genista Jurgens, Jonas Besson, Josca Craig Smith, Mikel Krumins Timothy Boyd, Amber Parkin, Melissa Jenkins, Damian Golfinopulous, Sophie Watson and Imogen Taylor.
Previous participants include: Stefan Pavlakis (Athens), Dan Meth (NYC), Aaron Mcloskey (Vancouver), Miroslav Mitrovic, (Bosnia i Herzegovina), The Arctic Circle (Bristol), Dirk Markham (Berlin) and Ryan Van Winkle (NYC).
September 20 is your chance to experience the delightfully interactive Science Museum of Nothing.
Hello Aucklanders, just a quick heads up that in less than 2 weeks, the AKL Zine Fest is on! That means I have to get my act together quick smart and finish my zine, while you need to get it into your diary. The afternoon promises to be a lot of fun, with stalls, workshops and a great new zine library!
Auckland Zinefest – 15th August 2009, 12 till 5pm. Check out their site for all the vital programme details ❤
by Amber on November 10, 2008 in Notebook
Berlin based electronic duo Booka Shade are coming to AKL on the 21st of November 2008. Squee! Their myspace says ‘Get Booka Shade’ and yeah, we got ‘em!
Oft’ described as “the best live electronic act in the world today” you will most probably be familiar with their songs ‘Body Language’ and ‘In White Rooms’. I well recommend a listen if you haven’t heard them already. If you’re in AKL you can get tickets here.
Aussies: you can also catch them on their “The Sun & the Neon Light” world tour. On the 22 November they will play Brisbane Stereosonic in the afternoon, then again that evening in Sydney. On November 29th Canberra kids can see them at Transit in the afternoon, then at the Melbourne Stereosonic that night. Finally they are playing at the Perth Stereosonic on the 30th. Holy smokes, what a schedule! I’m glad to be seeing them while they are fresh.
Ahhhh can you tell I’m excited? It’s going to be a banger!
by Amber on October 31, 2008 in Notebook
If you’re in Auckland, this exhibition looks like a great way to spend a lunchtime in town. Skateboarding and photography? Never were there two more perfectly suited persuits.
by Amber on September 17, 2008 in Notebook
See Bionic Pixie & a few other darling musos play at the Kings Arms. I love the flier, the use of watercolour is so delicate.
Need to check them out before you go/or too far away to attend but keen for new music? Listen to Sharpie Crows, Pig Out and Mr. Hayday here!
