Upcoming events
Lost the Plot! The WORD Quiz night
Thursday Sep 3, 6pm
Have you got what it takes to be the WORD Lost the Plot champion of 2026? Join your effervescent host Claudia Jardine for a fun quiz like no other. Gather your team together for an evening of joyous competition and WORDy antics. Who doesn’t love a quiz? Book for your team of 4 to 6 people or come alone on the night – the choice is yours.
Past events
Autumn 2026
May 29
Mim Jensen The Muse EP Release Tour
With support from Goodbye Starlet
Space Academy, CHC
Summer 2025/26
December 6
Kentucky Fried Children – Return of the Colonel
With support from Goodbye Starlet & St Peter’s Thursday
darkroom, CHC
Spring 2025
September 12
Goodbye Starlet Te Waipounamu Tour
Goodbye Starlet, SWIPERS & soft boi noise
Inch Bar, DUD
September 13
Goodbye Starlet Te Waipounamu Tour
Goodbye Starlet & SWIPERS
Hector Black’s, TIU
September 20
This Dog
With support from Goodbye Starlet
Space Academy, CHC
October 3
Goodbye Starlet Te Waipounamu Tour
Single Release Party
With Secret Admirer & Big John’s House
Space Academy, CHC
November 7
Late Night Poetry Hour
With Doc Drumheller and Regan Kupu Stokes
Emcee
Little Andromeda, CHC
November 13
Dirty Talk: A Smutty Spoken Word Soirée
Featured poet
darkroom, CHC
Winter 2025
June 12
Short | Poto edited by Michelle Elvy & Kiri Piahana-Wong Book Launch
Contributor & reader
Scorpio Books, CHC
June 24
Terrier, Worrier by Anna Jackson Book Launch
Support poet
Scorpio Books, CHC
July 10
Sick Power Trip by Erik Kennedy Book Launch
Launch speaker
Scorpio Books, CHC
July 17
Throwing Pains: Poems by Claudia Jardine and Friends
With Amber Esau and Sophie van Waardenberg
Basement Theatre, AKL
July 18-19
Booksellers Aotearoa Conference 2025 & Salon
Emcee
Parked Up & AUT campus, AKL
August 2
Show You’re Working Out by liz breslin Book Launch
Support poet
Te Wā, CHC
August 10
Hans Pucket
With support from Goodbye Starlet
Space Academy, CHC
August 24
In Praise of Living Poets with Jubilate Singers
Panelist and participating poet
The Piano, CHC
August 27
WORD Christchurch
Lost the Plot! The Word Quiz Night
Emcee
Tūranga, CHC
August 30
WORD Christchurch
This Band Could Be Your Life
With Damien Wilkins, Brannavan Gnanalingam, Pohlen Newbery and Claudia Jardine, hosted by Kiran Dass
Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū
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Love At First Line: A Poetry Dating Show
With Erik Kennedy, Claudia Jardine, Josiah Morgan and Una Cruickshank, hosted by Chris Tse
Tūranga, CHC
Autumn 2025
March 7
Ray Shipley’s Late Night Poetry Hour
With Tarn Wright
Featured poet
Little Andromeda, CHC
April 15
Mad Diva by Cadence Chung Book Launch
With Emily-Jane Stockman, Amelia Kirkness and Cadence Chung
Guest poet
Little Andromeda, CHC
May 8
Parker (AU)
With support from Amber Carly Williams and Goodbye Starlet
darkroom, CHC
May 31
Echo Chamber: Local Music Community Celebration
With Anand, Big John’s House, Bin Day, The Bohemian Bunglenuts, Charlotte Crone, Electric Starfi, Goodbye Starlet, The Mulls and Velveteen
darkroom, CHC