Conversare in the Adelaide Fringe festival now under way

Yes, the inaugural event was held last Friday 22 February 2013. (The next two are 1 and 8 March). See also page 73 of the printed Fringe program.

What is the primary measure of success of any enterprise?  That it happened!

And well it did, indeed, according to host Tim Walsh who reported:

“There was an odd number present which made perfect sets of 2s as I was able to be a participant. There was a little hesitancy at the start as to which couples of strangers would pair up over the meal. Once that was settled
‘the audience being the show’ was off and running. And all seemed to feel relaxed and comfortable.

Some had booked through the Fringe ticket office and others had just turned up. It would be helpful to the venue if those who have not booked would call ahead so that the catering arrangements can be made accordingly.

The place was quite full and some of the patrons thought the whole room was the Conversare!

I think all participants will promote the event for next week and in general.”

Host Tim Walsh – on rhs – with four participants who had joined to share their experience of having a meal with a stranger

This brings us back to the essence of the enterprise which is about engaging in conversation with people previously unknown to each other purely for the joy of the encounter. Which reportedly often brings with it long lasting memories and unexpected learnings – both about ‘the other’ and about oneself.

The purpose of the events is to ‘bring conversation to life’ and, through experiencing the delight of this, be a reminder to ‘bring conversation into life’ as talking is what makes us human. How to regain – and retain – our humanity in our era of ever increasing cyber babble and associated distractions?

I wonder if you recognize that it is “a huge challenge to create space for conversation in a world where the amount of stimulus is rising exponentially.”
Richard Farson

And while these events take place in discrete physical locations with a few intrepid spirits there are people all around our little planet, 3^rd from the sun, who are keen supporters of the enterprise and eager to learn of its unfolding.

One of these, a great friend of mine who lives near Seattle, wrote recently:

“Delightful to think … you have arrived at the brink of the Adelaide Fringe festival, and are ready to introduce Conversare to the World Open Space on Open Space (WOSONOS) in May 2013.

What resonates for me? The idea of conversation for its own sake and the sake of the bond it forms in the moment. And that it is important even though you and your conversation partner may never meet again.

Reminds me of a rainy afternoon [in a town where I live]. I had finished my long list of errands, and stepped into my favorite coffee shop for a cup of coffee before heading home. As I climbed onto a high stool at the coffee bar, the spoon fell off my saucer and hit the floor. The man on the next stool picked it up, walked to the counter and brought me back a clean spoon. We struck up a conversation and were soon deeply engaged, talking with some excitement, scribbling diagrams on a napkin. Finally he realized that he had been away from his business long enough. He stood up, introduced himself, mentioned his wife and family (who had moved here with him from Colombia), told me what his business was, and said, “We will probably never meet again. But someday you can tell your grandchildren, ‘One day I sat with someone in a coffee shop and really talked, talked about what was
important.’ ”

I loved that he recognized the importance of the moment, of the deep conversation. There was no hint of flirtation or salemanship, just the exhilarating exchange of ideas, values, feelings.

This was not a facilitated conversation, but I think it captures the feeling of Conversare very well.

Go well, hope Conversare is dramatically successful at the Fringe!”
Joelle Everett

Would you wish to tell your grandchildren that you were a participant in the first ever conversational events held in a festival of the arts? And to relate your story with the recall of the kind of encounter reported by Joelle? <smile>

Looking forward

Alan Stewart
Social Artist
Adelaide