Is there a better way to celebrate a fiftieth than an all-night party? The folks in charge of the Brisbane Writer's Festival 2012 sure don't think so. The all-night literary event will be a first for the BWF.
“It's the first time we've done 24-hour programming, so we're really pushing it. Everyone that is involved is really excited … we wanted to do something really fun and we thought we would try something different and attempt an all-night party. Maybe get some of the young folk out who would maybe not have come to the state library festival in the past.”
The night is packed with all sorts of acts, events and readings.
“It's going to start with a local singer/ songwriter called Liam Bryant. He is going to do a set of love songs, a mix of covers and originals. It should start the evening off really well. Then this act called Line & Notes will play. We're really excited to have them up from Melbourne. They have done three sellout shows at the Melbourne Writer's Festival and this is the first year they will be coming to Brisbane.
"They are going to do a tribute to David Bowie's 'The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars'. They allocate one track from the album to each of the performers and they reinterpret the track however they want to. They don't have to do a cover. So for instance someone might take the title of a song and write a memoir piece about it, or maybe sing a song that they have written about the first time they heard that track.”
It doesn't stop there though, the night will run right through to the not-so-small hours, with a prize for those that make daybreak.
“We have poets, writers, musicians and comedians involved all night long. The event runs from nine at night right through to eight in the morning so we have a lot going on. There is also going to be a poetry slam, spoken word artists will take on more traditional-style page poets in the 'ultimate battle'. We have movie screenings throughout and there will be will be a panel on crime writing and comic works. We will also be doing yoga at about three in the morning to keep everyone awake and keep the blood pumping. There will also be a panel on sex writing.
"Lastly, we have a cosmic sexual awakening lecture. It's all about opening up your chakra and your energy flows. For those that make it through there is also breakfast included in the ticket price.”
The all-night party is one of the highlights of a packed festival schedule that will include book launches from Australian and international authors as well as a raft of other events.
“If they [the audience] want a whole night of literary awesomeness they can head to the Great Debate before the 'Literary Love In', it's at QPAC. Germaine Greer and Bob Katter will be on the panel. The debate is 'Reading The Bible Is Good For You'. When that's finished they can make their way over to New Farm for 'Women Of Letters' and then party with us all night long.”
Other highlights will include Mark Watson.
“He is going to launch his book and the following day he will be talking about comedy writing as well. The former bishop of Edinburgh will be out here talking about his decision to leave the church, he is involved in the great debate which should make it very interesting.”
Brisbane's writing scene is as strong as ever and BWF are keen to involve as much local talent as possible.
“We've got some amazing local writers. Benjamin Law will be releasing his second book just before the festival, he is also in the Great Debate. You only have to look at the support for the Queensland Literary Awards to see that the writing community here is so strong and professional.”
'The Literary Love In' is at the Brisbane Powerhouse on Saturday September 8.
