It is said that change is the
spice of life. Flinders Speakeasy has a standard and successful formula of two
events on campus, and two off campus. Thrown into this mix was a new endeavour
undertaken by the Speakeasy team as the club hosted an additional event
off-campus in November last year. Held at the Onkaparinga Arts Centre in Port
Noarlunga, the event offered a new venue, and a new atmosphere. Readers were
able to showcase their writing talents not only to other Flinders students, but
also to some of the locals who showed up. The locals were not just observers at
the Speakeasy, as a reader was even included from their number.
This event was one to test out
the skills of the Speakeasy team in new and unique ways as the club branched
out to attempt something new. It took the club out to a new place and showcased
the skilled Flinders writers in a foreign environment – what would have been
less obvious is that the smooth running of the event was testament to a
successful team operating a well-oiled machine. The only problem that occurred
throughout was the late arrival of the pizzas. Missing pizzas are certainly the
sort of thing to haunt many people’s nightmares, but a follow-up call later and
everyone was enjoying their pizza. There are just some things you can’t prepare
for.
The readers showed as broad a
scope of works as ever with nearly every form of prose present and a good
helping of poetry to go with it. The latest Speakeasy zine was on show at the
door, looking stunningly designed in its eclectic style. (I picked up a
sepia-toned one that looks a beautiful Tolkienesque map, but there are also
more colourful options).
The people at the Onkaparinga
Arts Centre provided a great space, well set up for the readings. A bus was
provided to take everyone from the university down to Port Noarlunga, and then
return. The bus trip leant a convivial air to the already inviting event. The
event itself was such a supportive one that even the most anxious of people
would be sure to feel at least a little warmed to the idea of speaking. It is
this good-natured camaraderie that has seen the club manage to achieve the
successes it has.
This new undertaking offered the
club the chance to show off the talents of the undergraduate Flinders students
in a brand new way. Whether there will be more events of this sort remains to
be seen, but one can only hope there will be other new and original things in
the new year of Speakeasy. The club’s horizons were pushed out a little further
with this event to thorough success so hopefully there will be many more
opportunities of this sort in the future.
Words by Liam McNally
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