On Wednesday the 30th of October we had our Halloween-themed ‘Spooktakular’ Night at Sundowners! Our last event there before it moves to its new venue in the town centre. They had decorated up to the nines, with spiders, skulls, pumpkins and all kinds of spooky treats for the eyes, was the perfect place for out supernatural extravaganza!
It was a very intimate night Although quite small, the energy and support for the performers was phenomenal. Host Emma Robdale began us off with an introduction upon why Neurodivergent+ individuals might connect strongly (and more empathetically) with the ghouls and ghosts of Halloween – characters which are often (liturally) demonized and isolated. She suggested claiming Halloween as day when ‘forbidden’ voices could collect and be heard… safe within supported covens! This lead into her own performance which included some of her surreal paintings that combine themes around space, sea and earth. Many of which had stories or poems behind them which were also shared.
She was followed by Lunar Bloomer, who, read aloud from a prose poem on Hecate (a swamp witch reimagining of the Maiden, the Mother, the Crone), that had been published in Magical Woman’s (ADHD/Autistic Creatives) zine earlier that year.
In our break, instead of having an audience poem, we decided we’d have a ‘spooky story’ which participants and audience members were encouraged to write one line of…which would be read at the end.
Host Alice Riley hit off the second section with her speech upon learning to identify as an autistic woman, and a number of the reflections and trials she has encountered.
Following her was Aaron Kay, he performed a piece that he had written on one of Emma Robdale’s creative writing workshops, ‘Creative Writing in the Park’, which encouraged participants to connect with natural themes and the lives of animals and insects. Aaron performed a lovely children’s story he had written about a butterfly exploring its landscape by colour, touche and sent when it lands upon things… and had the whole audience joining in!
After the break, we had some surprise guests! – Our welcoming environment encouraged two audience creatives to speak up and have a go! A fantastic poet, and an improvisational slice-of-life piece that involved audience questions to lead its theme and direction.
… One thing was left.. to read the Audience Poem! – A mystery story involving an owl, a haunted house… and a bit of rhyme… a terrific and truely chilling night!
Setlist:
Emma Robdale – introduction to the theme and how ND+ people might connect strongly to halloween then an exploration of her own Art and Poetry
Lunar Bloomer – Did a dramatic reading of prose poem ‘The Crone is Crowned’ upon Hecete ( Maiden, Mother Crone).
Alice Riley- Speach upon her journey and insights as an autistic woman.
Arron Kay – Read his children’s story of a butterfly exploring its surroundings.
Sign up 1: Poetry.
Sign up 2, Julia: Experimental conversation with the audience encouraging questions and reflection.
Audience’s spooky story was read!
