This was the first year I have been free to attend the QPF delights on the Saturday and Sunday and this was fortunate given I was performing on both days! The sense of community and spirit around the festival were the aspects I enjoyed the most. From the artist meet ‘n greet at kerbside, to just relaxing on the couches at the Judy chatting in between shows – I met so many wonderful poets and poetry lovers and made many friendships.
Saturday I started the day by catching Brenda Saunders and some of Charmaine Papertalk Green’s performances in ‘To Count the Breathing’ before dashing off to make sure I caught most of Nathan Curnow’s set in the shopfront. Following this it was Misbah Khokar, Cameron Hindrum and Geoff Lemon in ‘An Accidental Grace’. At 4pm I caught Jill Jones, Nicola Easthope and Robert Adamson in ‘The Phrasebook of Silence’ before moving on to something a bit different via the Going Down Swinging showcase ‘Smashing the Sunset’ featuring MC Mantra, Eleanor Jackson and Felix Nobis.
Evening brought with it ‘A Million Bright Things’ and my first foray on stage as part of the showcase event. Opening with a song from Holly Throsby and the debut of a.rawlings’ Gibber project – the showcase featured one poem from every artist on the bill – the result one magnificent open mic session! I read ‘Tough Love’ from Confessional Box and thought it came across well on debut 
I hope A Million Bright Things is retained by the festival moving forward – it is such a treat for poets and poetry lovers or even curious potential poetry lovers to gain a snapshot of so many different styles all in the one show.
Totally agree – A Million Bright Things MUST STAY