THE SPOKEN WORD  -  poetry; these  have always been a key component of the Arts Alive offering, and 2008 is no exception. This year, the Newtown precinct will once again, play host to a wide range of artistic genres and variations of poetry from around the African continent – Angola, Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Further afield, the Arts Alive Speak the Mind poetry sessions will host artists from Trinidad & Tobago and the United States.   Set to take place on September 13th at the Bassline,  the Arts Alive Speak the Mind session is s a one-night only performance.

Arts Alive's  Speak the Mind poetry sessions never disappoint – gathering an eclectic collective of wordsmiths from around the world, the artists for this years edition have a common thread in that they all use their art as a form of activism. Leslie Tongai, also known as 'Outspoken'  is a Zimbabwean underground MC, social activist and spoken word poet, and speaking truth to power his countryman Cosmas Mairosi,  explaining what led him to poetry,  says "I have now been teaching for seven years but the financial returns have been so low that I have not been able to do anything for my aunt and mother. This provides the root of my protest poetry".

American artist Georgia Me (GA Me),  also known as Queen of the Spoken Word, will deliver her trademark, tell-it-like-it-is gems at Speak the Mind.  Her past performances include the Vagina Monologues in Edinburgh's Royal playhouse, performances alongside Danny Glover Jeffrey Wright at the Souls of Black Folks 100th Anniversary at Columbia University. She's also a regular feature at the Def Poetry Jam sessions. Providing a Lusophone perspective to the sessions,  Angola's Nastio Mosquito thinks of himself somewhat of a psychologist and teacher, using poetry as a form of self-expression. 

If there was ever such a thing as Spoken Word Royalty, Roger Bonair-Agard is surely its King – this Trinidad & Tobago born, Brooklyn-based poet was named the Nuyorica Poets Café Fresh Poet of the Year in 1998, and earned the title of national Individual Slam Champion in 1999 and 2000. Bonair-Agard is also an author, artistic director and co-founder of the louderArts Project,  an organization dedicated to the evolution of poetry through the craft of writing and performance. Like his U.S compatriot George Me, he is a favourite on the Def Poetry Jam circuit.  Needless to say, this 11 year veteran of the performance poetry circuit is a definite must-see at the Speak the Mind poetry night!

South Africa is ably represented at Speak the Mind with a range of poets who reflect our diverse nation, and interestingly, hip-hop features strongly– lyricist Ntsiki Mazwai, aka MaMiya will be using music to enhance her offerings, the multifaceted Bianca Williams deftly blends poetry with music and rapping in her performances,  and hip-hop head, slam poet and graffiti writer Creamy Ewok Baggends will also feature at the session this year, which will be hosted by slam poet and MC Thabo 'Flo' Mokale. 

The Khoi Khonnexion collective, comprising of Jethro Louw, Glen Arendse and Garth Erasmus deliver a uniquely African performance, using indigenous Khoisan musical bow and arrow as a trance musical instrument in harmony with guitars, reggae-dub rhythms and backing chants to enhance the poetic delivery.  Phillippa Yaa de Villiers, Professor Pikita Ntuli, Matodzi 'Gift' Ramashia round up the Mzansi representation at Speak the Mind,  which will also feature musical offerings from DJ Khenzero, Pops Mohammed and Kwani Experience in an unplugged session. 

So - Newtown's Bassline is the place, the 13th of September is the date – tickets are available at the Computicket and venue on the night.   The line up clearly demonstrates, that once again, Arts Alive's Speak the Mind Session will deliver a fresh, stimulating evening of word wizardry, music and beats – a festival within a festival served up courtesy of wordsmiths from around the world.

Tickets are available at Computicket for R50 and R40 at the venue.

•    Arts Alive Speak the Mind Session is taking place on September 13th at the Bassline. 
•    The Arts Alive International Festival takes place in September 2008, from September  4th – 27th, and comprises Visual Arts, Theatre, Poetry,  Music, Dance, Comedy, Film, exhibitions and Workshops.

                                                                                                                                                                                                       
For more information, visuals and interviews, please contact:
Lungi Hlatshwayo
Tel: 011 234 8650
Cel: 082 968 7755
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Or:
Marang Setshwaelo
Tel: 011 234 8560
Cel: 082 559 1802
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