Almanac Books: ‘If I Could …’ – Matt Zurbo Book Launch (July 20)

 

FUN, DANCING, STORY TELLING, MULTI MEDIA, LIVE BANDS, COSTUMES, COMEDY, CARTOONS, WHIMSY! (July 20)

You are invited to Matt Zurbo’s book launch for ‘If I Could …’. A free Sunday show full of colour and fun for kids and adults alike.

 

 

 

It was a grind. Track building put us in motion – my wife, Elena, our one year old daughter, Cielo, and I, making our way across the continent and back, all our belongings crammed in the back of the ute. Tree arbouring, hacking through the wait-a-while vines above Mossman Gorge doing bio security, oyster farming through the winter of Tassie’s bottom tip, more track building on the clifftops of the Three Capes, hard, dangerous jobs, while perpetually searching for a places to live. It seemed the perfect time to express my love of our kid.

 

I decided to write a children’s book a day, for a year, and give them away for free, as an ode to Cielo. A gift, of imagination, and one day, when older, of commitment to task. Two stints in hospital, a seat-of-our-pants trip to Venezuela, in tropical wet seasons, in Tassie snow, driving through the Outback, averaging 3 hours sleep a night for a year, not a story was missed.

 

Two thirds through, each story averaged between 1-3 views, it was a slog, but so what? A promise made is a promise kept.

 

Then the NYT did a three page spread on it. Suddenly, each entry was read by thousands around the world.

 

And the jobs and the motion rolled on.

 

For the 365th tale, I simply poured my heart onto the page about my love for Cielo, about the awe and wonder she inspired in me. That kids inspire in us.

 

This month, MacMillian USA, are publishing that story under their Roaring Press banner, five years after I wrote it – lots of long, hard days in the bush.

 

To celebrate, we are holding a book launch in the Merri Creek Tavern. Readings Bookstore was an option, but I play footy for the Merri Creek Tavern Bats in the Renegade Pub League when in Melbourne. I dunno, the place is full of stories for me, which is what it’s about. The fit seemed right.

 

The venue has a wonderful, warming little theater/band room, with stage, where, like the book itself, I plan to give, give, give.

 

Robert Gott, author of the WILLIAM POWER MYSTERIES, will open proceedings, followed by Sid O’Niel from Vasco Era doing a few solo songs dressed as Elvis. Then a reading of the book, with me in a costume, with Sid backing on his guitar, while the big screen projects pages of the book on us. A brief ode to storytelling by me, then an acting out of one of my more fun books, Fred the Croc, backed by a wonderful indi pop band, Plastic Cheeses, cartoons, slides, illustrations, silliness, WHIMSY! Nibblies for the kids. Finishing with a guest musician, and then everybody dancing to Plastic Cheeses, with kids-friendly songs.

 

All for free, of course.

 

A thank you to the joy of storytelling.

 

An event that, hopefully, when you describe it to someone, you will be telling them a story. The stuff of books.
Come along. Kids or no! With grandkids or not! Invite a friend, or someone with kids you know. Wear a costume if you’d like. Life is short, let’s have fun! Be a part of this book’s mythology!

 

There might even be a few famous footballers there! Haha.

 

Any Knacker presence, or friend of Knackers, would be a gift!

 

Cost: A smile.

111 High Street, Northcote. Sunday 20th July, 1pm-3pm.

 

More from Matt Zurbo HERE.

 

To return to the www.footyalmanac.com.au  home page click HERE

 

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