We're back!

Like most of Auckland, the Ockham Collective has been in hibernation over the Christmas/New Year period but now we're back, with a whole new crew of Collectivites itching to get started. We're going to be announcing the full line up after our launch next month, but a couple of them have already got events booked – so it seems fitting to introduce them now.

First up, meet Louise Evans (pictured left) – fiddle player and devotee of Trad Irish music. Louise is kicking off fortnightly Tuesday Irish Sessions at The Nix. These will take place on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of every month, starting at 7:30pm. Says Louise, "The session is instrumental-based, and we welcome everyone to share the craic, including observers. BYO snacks and drinks."

For more information, refer to the sessions' Facebook page or contact Louise on 021 0221 5067.

Next up is Tim Heath (pictured right) – former school principal, multiple poetry-slam winner and author – whose memoir The Accidental Teacher was published to much acclaim in 2021. Tim will be kickstarting his new project Poetry For Pensioners at The Nix on the morning of Monday 13 February.

"It does seem that many poetry events these days are full of the noise, the angst and immediacy of youth," Tim explains. "This is great, but I long, at times, for something quieter and more reflective. For this reason, entry to this group is limited to Gold-Card holders. I want people who apply to join this group to have a long-standing love of poetry, a love that they want to develop and explore."  

If this sounds like you, drop Tim an email telling him a little about your interests and poetry background. Numbers are limited.