16 March 2013

Burley's First Birthday. A Papercuts review

| Barcham
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The best birthday wishes for Burley.

Many city-goers have probably walked past, sipped coffee near, or eaten delicious food next to Smiths Alternative Bookshop. Located on Alinga Street in the city centre, it is nestled neatly away, much like most prized reading nooks.

As I entered Smiths, the little book nerd in me stood up and took notice. A smattering of genres, styles and mediums of all things writerly and readerly adorned the walls. With this child-like glee, I took up residence at a small round table near the food and beverages and watched as this cozy little store made room for all who came. The table of party food and bubbly, coupled with the sporadic application of balloons, gave the event a birthday feel. The only things missing were the cake and silly hats.

Soon, more and more people crowded in through the front door to help celebrate the Canberran literary journal’s first year in the world. Copies of the new third issue attracted people like a beacon. Soon, a hodgepodge of personal style and culture collided in a mix of literary expression. The lineup of writers came together to share samplings of their birthdays past, or creations of their subconscious.

To begin the show, Raphael Kabo swiftly carried away the audience in an awe-inspiring reading of his birthday tale entitled Bushfire. Raphael was entrancing and his use of metaphors honestly transported listeners right back there with him, to the day of the Canberra bushfires, the day of his second 11th birthday party.

Burley took a leaf out of Willy Wonka’s book and placed golden tickets inside some of their new issues, a poem written, and this night recited, by a natural-born performer – Monica Caroll. She took us on a rather sensual ride, introducing us to the heart-fluttering art that is writing.

The night was brought to a close by Nigel Featherstone, who has his piece of fiction The People At The Gates published in this issue. Nigel regaled us with tales of his move from Canberra to Goulburn, his abattoir-working neighbours, and the impact (a good one he assured us) that his new home has had upon his writing. He left the crowd wanting more, but darted off to mingle upon reaching the end of his excerpt.

A+ from me, You Are Here Festival, a welcome introduction to what I’m sure will be ten days of Canberra’s best alternative art and underground culture.

Reviewed by Cas Le Nevez

Cas Le Nevez is submitting work to us as a part of the fantastic Papercuts program put together by the beautiful people at Scissors Paper Pen. The work and opinions belong to them, we are simply giving them a space to show their work.

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