Community Weathering Station (Cows)

The Open Mic Creek Walk was held in Black Gully on Anaiwan Country 12.30-2 on August 20 as part of the Winter Blooming Festival. This was an experiment in form bringing together the creek walk (a FAMILIAR feature of environmental arts And RESEARCH practice globally in the last decade or so) and the classic performance event the Open Mic NIGHT. Lacking the SOCIAL lubrication of alochol or THE shading of the Night’s Darkness, it was unclear whether people in the (VERY) broad light of day would be willing to share so openly. It took a slow walk down one side of the creek to get the process started.

The creek walk is An activity that it is grounded in place and proximate to water. It’s healing and lovely to be outside in a group. But in a settler colonial country place is complicated. And part of The objectives of this WALK was creating a way to both enjoy place together, and also think about the layers of historical violence at the same time. The Open Mic is a kind of random and chaotic format that can bring so much to the surface. In an open mic event curatorial control is surrendered for the collective to co-create the event. The two forms together produced an incredible experience of openness, mutual connection and sharing. The readings (and one Song and one improvisation) were variously playful, serious, political, heartfelt, Queer.

I also Planned to archive this EVENT. Both Creek Walks and Open Mics are fleeting events but I am interested in what people bring to the table when the open mic has a bit of a theme. So In addition to being super grateful that so many people stepped up to the Mic to Read, I gathered people’s contributions to include here. Thanks also to Craig Johnson for helping with the Mic and Speaker Tech.

ARCHIVE of Contributors and their Contributions:

1. Christina Kenny, Wild Geese by Mary Oliver
2. Paul Smith, 19/6 by julie koh
   • WALKING >>>>>>>>>>>
3. Ruby Mountford, Horse Polo Tounge Swallow by Freya Daly Sadgrove
4. Jennifer Hamilton, Matlidas by Jennifer Hamilton
   • WALKING >>>>>>>>>>>
5. Merrin Wake, Jay’s Voice SQUAD by Merrin’s son
6. Kathryn Harris, municipal gum by Oodgeroo Noonuccal
   • WALKING >>>>>>>>>>
7. William Weller, beloved freak by garbage (it is about people who don’t feel they fit in and masking ourselves to try to fit in)
8. Amy Irwin, untitled poem (about a juicy life) and Untitled Poem (about culture spreading like weeds) by Amy Irwin
9. Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli, Walking with MK Improvised by Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli
   • WALKING >>>>>>>>>>
10. paul Smith, I remember by Stephen Sondheim (Sung)
11. Jennifer Hamilton, Three Pink Love Hearts and Three Green Love Hearts by Jennifer Hamilton