Fifth Annual Quest for the Voice Send Off at Walker

 

Fifth Annual Quest of the Voice Youth Poets ‘SEND OFF’

Thursday • July 2nd • 7pm @ the Walker Art Center

 

Minnesota’s finest poets from across the Twin Cities embark on a trip to Chicago, Illinois to represent Minnesota at the Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Festival, July 14th – 18th. Come witness the poets in full flair in an evening of high energy spoken word, poetry, foot stomping, music and dance. The evening will feature the 2009 Quest for the Voice team, El Guante, Khary Jackson (6 is 9), B-Girl Mona Lisa, Dancing Dave, DJO and more. This all ages event will be hosted by e.g. bailey + Sha Cage. The event is free but you must get tickets at the front desk. Tickets will be released at 6pm. Come early, it may sellout as it has in past years.

 

For more information on the series see www.myspace.com/questforthevoice or contact sha.mnswa@gmail.com .

 

In Da Tradition Institute Showcase

Free Closing Night Peformance

All Ages • Friday • June 26th • 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Showcasing Teacher + Student Collaborations, along with special guests

I Self Devine, e.g. bailey + Sha Cage, Chantz Erolin, Dancing Dave,

the Quest for the Voice Youth Team and others.

 

Coffman Union • The Whole • 300 Washington Avenue • University of MN

 

presented by MN Spoken Word Association + the University of MN’s English Department

 

FREE Closing Night Performance 

All Ages • Fri June 26 • 7-9pm

Showcasing Teacher and Student Collaborations + 

Special Guests I SELF DEVINE  • e.g.bailey & Sha Cage • Chantz  • Dancing Dave • Quest For the Voice Youth Team

Coffman Union ‘In the Whole’  –300 Washington Avenue

 

In Da Tradition Spoken Word + Hip Hop Institute ‘09

‘IN Da TRADITION’

Spoken Word & Hip Hop Institute 2009

June 22-26, 2009

Presented by the MN Spoken Word Association and the U of M’s Department of English 

 

Quick Overview:

This is the second Spoken Word and Hip Hop Institute hosted by the MN Spoken Word Association (MNSWA) and the University of Minnesota’s English Department. This summit will bring together a number of distinguished Hip Hop and Spoken Word practitioners, scholars and poet-scholars from the Twin Cities and the Midwest. Highlights of the summit include networking, classes and workshops, a citywide performance showcase/finale, and open discourse around the practice, integration, and possibilities of spoken word poetics and hip hop in classes, research, community work, and curriculum. MNSWA’s E.G.Bailey has presented similar classes and institutes in other cities in the past and facilitated the institute last year alongside University of MN’S Geoff Sirc. This institute has become an annual event that nurtures strategy and discourse on the usage of these urban art forms.  

Summit Instructors:

E.G. Bailey (MN Spoken Word Association) and Geoffrey Sirc (University of MN) in addition to guest instructors.

Summit Facilitators:  Shá Cage (MN Spoken Word Association) and Terri Sutton (Uof MN- English Department ) 

What Should I Generally Expect:

The summit will incorporate a combination of lectures, performance demos, listening sessions, interactive activities, pedagogy, and discussion. Instructors should leave the institute with clear ideas and support around integrating and reaching students through urban arts in the classroom as well as pathways to brining MNSWA artist educators into their schools and classrooms. Students will be encouraged in experimentation and practice of writing and cultural and historical analysis. Each day participants will meet in a communal space on campus then move to identified classes for each session. Larger performances will be held in the auditorium, and community members from the wider Twin Cities/Midwest may be invited as guests.

Dates/Time: Monday June 22nd – Friday June 26^th | Sessions are 9am-3 pm daily. The finale concert is on Friday June 26th at 7pm and engages participant performances and guest performances. 

Attendees:

Ideal participants include high school student leaders who are highly  interested in learning more about the history, culture, and practice of these arts forms as well as middle and high school k-12 teachers who are interested in the usage of these art forms in secondary education, whether for the purposes of creative writing or for academic research, analysis, and writing. The institute serves as both a platform for the University of MN to introduce students to post secondary education……. in addition to inviting educators and schools interested in bringing MNSWA’s programs into their schools-as a solid first step towards introducing new ways to stimulate their student’s learning. Preference will be given to students and teachers who did not participate in 2008. 

Location: Sessions at the U of M. Selected applicants will receive maps once registered. 

Food:    Water and light lunch will be provided for breaks each day.

 

Urban Griots Awards 2009: Nominees + Winners

URBAN GRIOTS AWARDS 2009
Nominees + Winners

After the participation of over 1000 people, including over 175 nomination ballots and over 30 judges in the spoken word and spoken word related communities in Minnesota and beyond, ranging from artists to organizers to promoters to press, and noted artists in the field, the winners of the 2009 Urban Griots Awards were announced at the Awards ceremony on April 3rd at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis. With an audience of over 300 artists and fans, including a number of noted groundbreakers in the community, the Awards show was a resounding success. Votes were cast from locales as distant as Asia, Australia, Central America, Europe, and many parts of the U.S., for 32 categories, with Peoples Awards and a Judges Awards being presented for each category, with the exception of the Hall of Fame categories, where there votes were combined to determine the inductees. In addition, a special Outstanding Contribution category was created and awarded to e.g. bailey, for all his work and efforts to create and organize the Urban Griots Award.

The historic night was full of energy and excitement. The evening was hosted by Tiyo Siyolo and e.g. bailey. DJ Mix.well kept the crowd entertained throughout the evening. Performers included Bao Phi, Ibe Kaba, Kyle ‘El Guante’ Myhre, Ed Bok Lee, Chantz Erolin, Kyra Calvert, Palabristas (Rodrigo Sanchez-Chavarria + Lorena Duarte), Edupoetic Enterbrainment (Frank Sentwali, Tiyo Siyolo + Queen Drea), St. Paul Slam Team, Mpls Slam Team, Marie Chante + Sol Testimony, J. Otis Powell! + Autumn Compton, Moira Pirsch, Poetic Assassins, and Voices Merging. There were also a surprise guest performance by 4-time National Poetry Slam champion, Patricia Smith. We also had a special presentation of the Two Tongues Award by noted I Self Devine. The evening was capped off with a headlining performance by Hyder Ali.

We want to thank all of you that supported the Awards and the process, including the artists, the judges, the voters, the performers, the promoters, and especially the community as a whole. We also want to thank the Varsity Theater, and all our sponsors, KMOJ and KFAI, along with the Liberator Magazine. In addition, we want to give a special thanks to Tousue Vang, who created the graphic animations for the evening, and also to Shadi Mahboubi who created the flyers. Most of all, we want to thank the Organizing Committee for all the work and input to help make the Awards happen.

We look forward to the next Urban Griots Awards, and look forward to making the Awards even stronger with new developments and reaching out to even more artists, judges and voters. We are also looking for folks that are interesting in helping out with the Organizing Committee and the Awards process, and helping us to further develop and evolve the Awards.

Below are the list of categories, the nominees and the winners for both the Peoples Awards and the Judges Awards. For more information about the Urban Griots Awards, or are interested in participating in the Awards process, or if you have any questions, please email mnswa.mail@gmail.com.

Thank you all once again for your support.

MN Spoken Word Association
& the Organizing Committee

“Elevating community through the art of Spoken Word”

ARTIST CATEGORIES

• SPOKEN WORD ARTIST OF THE YEAR (The most accomplished Spoken Word artist, as an artist, as a producer, as an organizer, or all of the above.) (This can also include artists from past years, as far back as 2000, even artists that may not be as active currently as they once were.)

• MALE (MN)

JUDGES AWARD: TRUTHMAZE
PEOPLE’S AWARD: BAO PHI

Nominees:
1. Khary ‘6 is 9′ Jackson
2. Ibe Kaba
3. Kyle ‘El Guante’ Myhre
4. Bao Phi
5. Rodrigo Sanchez-Chavarria
6. Truthmaze

(A select list of other nominees included: Bobby Wilson, J. Otis Powell!, Frank Sentwali, Ed Bok Lee, Wonder Dave, Tiyo Siyolo, B.U.G.S., Christopher Schillock, Jamie Wynn, Diego Vasquez, Rush Merchant, Tou Saiko Lee, Rodney ‘October’ Dixon, Emmanuel Ortiz, David Mura, Matthew Rucker, David La Terre, Louis Alemayehu, Michael Mlekoday, Robert Karimi)

• FEMALE (MN)

JUDGES AWARD: SHA CAGE + TISH JONES (TIE)
PEOPLES AWARD: SHA CAGE

Nominees:
1. Sha Cage
2. Desdamona
3. Lorena Duarte
4. (i am) Isis
5. Tish Jones

(A select list of other nominees included: Younique, Dessa Darling, Sierra DeMulder, Cynthia French, Divinewords, Marie Chante, Maryama Green, Sarah Agaton Howes, Juliana Hu Pegues, Edye ‘Dekaag’ Howes, Sol Testimony, Verse, Katie Ka Vang, Laura Winton, Jen Smiley Face, Black Pearl, Brittany Delaney, Christy NaMee Eriksen, Madame Mimi, Moira Pirsch, Mankwe Ndosi, Karma the Oddesst Goddess, Yaya)

• MALE (NATIONAL/INTL)

JUDGES AWARD: TAALAM ACEY
PEOPLES AWARD: SAUL WILLIAMS

Nominees:
1. Taalam Acey
2. Ainsley Burrows
3. Leonard Cohen
4. Paul Flores
5. Shane Koyczan
6. Giles Li
7. Anis Mojgani
8. Dwayne Morgan
9. Adam Pergament
10. Saul Williams

(A select list of other nominees included: Carl Hancock Rux, Marc Pinate, Black Ice, Stephen Bor, Edwin Torres, Buddy Wakefield, Amir Suliaman, Zell Miller III, Colin Ehara, Mike Ladd, Kevin Coval, Tshaka Imhotep, Tyehimba Jess, Beau Sia, Casey Denagen, Doug Kearney, Dennis Kim)

• FEMALE (NATIONAL/INTL)

JUDGES AWARD: ISHLE PARK
PEOPLES AWARD: QUEEN SHEBA

Nominees:
1. Jessica Care Moore
2. Mayda Del Valle
3. Rachel McKibbens
4. Ishle Park
5. Sunni Patterson
6. Queen Sheba

(A select list of other nominees included: Jayne Fenton Keane, Suheir Hammad, Karen Gibson, Liza Garza, Kay Barrett, Patricia Smith, Vanessa Hidary, D’Lo, Shannon Leigh, Dasha Kelly, Leticia Hernandez, Destiny 7 Manifest, Rha Goddess, Ursula Rucker, Dana Bryant, Anna Savage)

• SPOKEN WORD COLLECTIVE/BAND OF THE YEAR (MN) (The most accomplished Spoken Word collective or band.) (This can also include artists from past years, as far back as 2000, even artists that may not be as active currently as they once were.) (Examples: Ancestor Energy, Palabristas, Arkology, NOW!, Poetic Assassins, The Poet Tree, etc.)

JUDGES AWARD: ANCESTOR ENERGY
PEOPLES AWARD: PALABRISTAS

Nominees:
1. Ancestor Energy
2. Arkology
3. Edupoetic Enterbrainment
4. Palabristas
5. Poetic Assassins

(A select list of other nominees included: The Poet Tree, Invisible Jazz, Rock Star Storytellers, Talk Ugly to Me, Lit 6, Voices Merging, Making Oral History, NOW!, Talking Roots Crew)

• SLAM POET OF THE YEAR (MN) (The most accomplished Slam poet.)

JUDGES AWARD: KHARY JACKSON
PEOPLES AWARD: KYLE ‘EL GUANTE’ MYHRE

Nominees:
1. Sierra DeMulder
2. Homeless Ryan K
3. Khary ‘6 is 9′ Jackson
4. Michael Mlekoday
5. Kyle ‘El Guante’ Myhre

(A select list of other nominees included: Toussaint Morrison, Wonder Dave, Shane Hawley, Cynthia French, Diego Vasquez, Matthew Rucker, Bao Phi, Rodney ‘October’ Dixon, Ibe Kaba, Michael Shaeffer, EZRA)

• YOUTH SPOKEN WORD ARTIST OF THE YEAR (MN) (The strongest youth Spoken Word artist that is under 21)

JUDGES AWARD: DANEZ SMITH
PEOPLES AWARD: BRITTANY DELANEY

Nominees:
1. Chantz Erolin
2. Brittany Delaney
3. Maryama Green
4. Danez Smith
5. Kelsey ‘Pyro’ Van Ert
6. Berato Wilson

(A select list of other nominees included: S’Sence, Kyra Calvert, Younique, Chopstix, Andrew Thomas, Jeremy Levinger, Jake Virden, Sydney Arnold)

• NEW SPOKEN WORD ARTIST OF THE YEAR (MN) (The strongest new Spoken Word artist in the community. They cannot have been a part of the Spoken Word for more than 1 year.)

JUDGES AWARD: AIMEE RENAUD
PEOPLES AWARD: COLE ‘INK TEA’ SARAR

Nominees:
1. Kyra Calvert
2. Aimee Renaud
3. Cole ‘Ink Tea’ Sarar
4. Jake Virden
5. Adrian Waters

• TWO TONGUES AWARD (MN) (The most noted Spoken Word + Hip Hop artist that most fluently navigates between the Spoken Word + Hip Hop art forms.) (Examples: Truthmaze, Desdamona, El Guante, Chantz Erolin, Dessa, Slug, Maria Isa, Toki Wright, Younique, Tish Jones, etc.)

JUDGES AWARD: DESSA + TRUTHMAZE
PEOPLES AWARD: DESDAMONA

Nominees:
1. Desdamona
2. Dessa
3. El Guante
4. Tish Jones
5. Truthmaze

(A select list of other nominees included: Maria Isa, Younique, Chantz Erolin, Karma the Oddest Goddess, Toki Wright, Tou Saiko Lee, Slug)

• EVENT PRODUCER OF THE YEAR (MN) (The individual or organization noted for the quality and/or quantity of Spoken Word events they produce in the community.) (Examples: Frank Sentwali, Desdamona + Kevin Washington, Bao Phi, Matthew Rucker, Wonder Dave, Cynthia French, Jamie Wynn, e.g. bailey + Sha Cage, etc.)

JUDGES AWARD: FRANK SENTWALI
PEOPLES AWARD: BAO PHI

Nominees:
1. e.g. bailey + Sha Cage
2. Desdamona + Kevin Washington
3. Bao Phi
4. Frank Sentwali
5. Wonder Dave + Allison Broeren

(A select list of other nominees included: Matthew Rucker, Rodrigo Sanchez, Tou Saiko Lee, Laura Winton, Sarah Agaton Howes, Carolyn Holbrook, Tom Cassidy, Voices Merging, Tish Jones, Torianno Sanzone, Ibe Kaba, Isis, Vibin Collective, Mary Tinucci)

• MUSIC PRODUCER OF THE YEAR (MN) (The most noted musical producer who works most consistently with Spoken Word artists.)

JUDGES AWARD: TOM SCOTT
PEOPLES AWARD: SEE MORE PERSPECTIVE

Nominees:
1. Brandon All Day
2. Father Time
3. Platinum Mind Entertainment
4. See More Perspective
5. Tom Scott

(A select list of other nominees included: Ben Durrant, Cedric Bolton, Rush Merchant)

• INNOVATOR AWARD (MN) (An artist that has innovated the Spoken Word art form and/or the community in significant ways.)

JUDGES AWARD: J. OTIS POWELL!
PEOPLES AWARD: SHA CAGE

Nominees:
1. Sha Cage
2. Carolyn Holbrook
3. Bao Phi
4. J. Otis Powell!
5. Truthmaze

(A select list of other nominees included: Chris Schillock, Tou Saiko Lee, Isis, Terry Folz, Juliana Hu Pegues + Tatiana Ormaza, Desdamona, Laura Winton, Ed Bok Lee, Marcie Rendon, Scott Helmes, Louis Alemayehu, Ndosi, Robert Karimi, Roy McBride, Frank Sentwali)

• COMMUNITY ORGANIZER AWARD (MN) (An artist that has mobilized the Spoken Word community in significant ways.) (Examples: Carolyn Holbrook, J. Otis Powell!, Bao Phi, e.g. bailey, Sha Cage, Tou Siako Lee, etc.)

JUDGES AWARD: E.G. BAILEY + SHA CAGE
PEOPLES AWARD: E.G. BAILEY + SHA CAGE

Nominees:
1. e.g. bailey + Sha Cage
2. Carolyn Holbrook
3. Tou Saiko Lee
4. Bao Phi
5. J. Otis Powell!

(A select list of other nominees included: El Guante, Mankwe Ndosi, Julie Bates, Rodrigo Sanchez, Desdamona, Laura Winton, Ed Bok Lee, Cole ‘Ink Tea, Sarar, Reggie Harris, Emmanuel Ortiz, Laurie Carlos, Rodney ‘October’ Dixon, Diego Vasquez, Matthew Rucker, Moira Pirsch)

• ARTS ACTIVIST AWARD (MN) (An artist that is committed to activism through Spoken Word)

JUDGES AWARD: JULIANA HU PEGUES
PEOPLES AWARD: KYLE ‘EL GUANTE’ MYHRE

Nominees:
1. Juliana Hu Pegues
2. Bao Phi
3. Tou Saiko Lee
4. Kyle ‘El Guante’ Myhre
5. Rodrigo Sanchez-Chavarria

(A select list of other nominees included: Palabristas, Sha Cage, Tish Jones, Sarah Agaton Howes, B.U.G.S., Lydia Howell, Ibe Kaba, Bobby Wilson, Julie Bates, Louis Alemayehu, Wonder Dave, Poetic Assassins, Karma the Oddest Goddess, Emmanuel Ortiz, Reggie Harris)

• CULTURAL AWARD (MN) (An award to recognize artists that are honoring, celebrating and/or influencing their cultural/community through the art of Spoken Word.) (Examples: Ibe Kaba, Rodrigo Sanchez, Bao Phi, Palabristas, e.g. bailey, etc.)

JUDGES AWARD: IBE KABA
PEOPLES AWARD: PALABRISTAS

Nominees:
1. Ibe Kaba
2. Tou Saiko Lee
3. Palabristas
4. Bao Phi
5. Bobby Wilson

(A select list of other nominees included: Sha Cage, Lorena Duarte, Rodrigo Sanchez, Juliana Pegues, Madame Mimi, Truthmaze, Sarah Agaton Howes, Ed Bok Lee, Maria Isa, Katie Ka Vang)

• BEST DJ AWARD (MN) (The most noted DJ who works most consistently with Spoken Word artists and/or spoken word events.) (Examples: DJ Stage One, DJ Mix.well, DJ Fundamentalist, DJ Last Word, DJ Francisco, etc.)

JUDGES AWARD: DJ FUNDAMENTALIST
PEOPLES AWARD: DJ MIX.WELL

Nominees:
1. DJ Drea
2. DJ Fundamentalist
3. DJ Mix.well
4. Thuyet Nguyen
5. Tiyo Siyolo

(A select list of other nominees included: DJ Stage One, DJ Last Word, DJ Trinidad, DJ Jennifer, DJ Francisco, DJ Chamindika)

• SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD (MN) (An award to recognize artists and contributions that don’t easily fit into any category.)

JUDGES AWARD: LAURA ‘FLUFFY SINGLER’ WINTON
PEOPLES AWARD: MINNESOTAMICROPHONE.COM

Nominees:
1. Dancin’ Dave
2. Juanita Espinosa
3. MinnesotaMicrophone.com
4. Moira Pirsch
5. J. Otis Powell!
6. Laura “Fluffy Singler” Winton

(A select list of other nominees included: Chris Schillock, Marcie Rendon, Birchbark Books, Carolyn Holbrook, Ruth Stevens, Ancient Traders, Louis Alemayehu, Bruce Axelrod, Sha Cage)

EVENT CATEGORIES

• EVENT OF THE YEAR (MN) (The most noted Spoken Word event of the year, that stands out in terms of concept, production and performance.) (Examples: Sekou Sundiata’s 51st Dream State, Poet’s of the City Final Blowout, Singers of Daybreak Conference, 2002 National Poetry Slam, Def Poetry Jam on Broadway, etc.)

JUDGES AWARD: SEKOU SUNDIATA’S 51ST (DREAM) STATE (WALKER ART CENTER)
PEOPLES AWARD: ?NATION OF IMMIGRANTS? CD RELEASE PARTY (BAO PHI/LOFT)

Nominees:
1. National Poetry Slam 2002 (SASE: The Write Place/Poetry Slam Inc.)
2. Nation of Immigrants CD Release Party (Bao Phi/The Loft)
3. Nu Griots Showcase (The Givens Foundation)
4. The Final Word!: The Poets of the City Super Show (Frank Sentwali/Sentwali Entertainment)
5. Sekou Sundiata’s The 51st (Dream) State (Walker Art Center)
6. Singers of Daybreak Spoken Word Conference 2001 (MN Spoken Word Association (MNSWA))

(A select list of other nominees included: Def Poetry Jam on Broadway, MNSWA’s Environmental Slam, EQ’s Queer Asian American Show, Edwin Torres at U of M, Late Nite (with Black Ice and with Kim Thompson), Mizna Show with Pangea)

• BEST OPEN MIC, SLAM OR SPOKEN WORD SERIES (MN) (The most noted Spoken Word regular or seasonal/periodic open mic, or Spoken Word series.) (Examples: Soapboxing (Artist Quarter), Slam MN Series (Kiernan’s), Poet’s Groove (Blue Nile), Poets of the City (Various Venues), Equilibrium (The Loft), Voices Merging (U of M), etc.)

JUDGES AWARD: POETS GROOVE (DESDAMONA + KEVIN WASHINGTON/BLUE NILE)
PEOPLES AWARD: EQUILIBRIUM (BAO PHI/THE LOFT)

Nominees:
1. Equilibrium Series (Bao Phi/The Loft)
2. Poets Groove (Desdamona + Kevin Washington/Blue Nile)
3. Quest for the Voice Youth Slam Series (MN Spoken Word Association (MNSWA)/Various Venues)
4. Soap-Boxing (Matthew Rucker/Artist Quarter)
5. Voices Merging Open Mic (Voices Merging/U of M)

(A select list of other nominees included: Slam MN (Kiernans), Late Nite (Pillsbury Theatre), Tha Remix (Capri), Coffee Gallery Open Mic, People’s Open Mic (MNSWA), Anodyne Coffee Shop Open Mic, Patrick’s Cabaret, Mellow Mondays (Favor Cafe), Poets of the City Series, El Cafe Burrito Open Mic, ICE Open Mic, Balls Cabaret (Southern Theatre), Riot Act Reading Series, Ibe’s Open Mic)

• BEST RADIO SHOW AWARD (MN) (The most noted Spoken Word or Spoken Word related radio show, and or podcast, that is dedicated to showcasing Spoken Word artists and work.) (Examples: Urban Griots Radio Show (KMOJ), Tehuti: From the Griot to the MC (KFAI), Write On RaDio (KFAI), etc.)

JUDGES AWARD: WRITE ON RADIO! (KFAI RADIO)
PEOPLES AWARD: URBAN GRIOTS AWARD (KMOJ RADIO)

Nominees:
1. Con Safos Radio (Hamline University)
2. Electric Arc Radio Show (The Current)
3. Tehuti: From the Griot to the MC (KFAI Radio)
4. Urban Griots (KMOJ Radio)
5. Write On RaDio! (KFAI Radio)

ART WORK/CREATIVE WORK CATEGORIES

• SPOKEN WORD ALBUM OF THE YEAR (The most noted Spoken Word album of the year.)

• (MINNESOTA)

JUDGES AWARD: AMBER PEOPLE – SHA CAGE
PEOPLES AWARD: AMBER PEOPLE – SHA CAGE + ?NATION OF IMMIGRANTS? – VARIOUS ARTISTS (TIE)

Nominees:
1. Amber People – Sha Cage
2. Desconocidos – Rodrigo Sanchez-Chavarria
3. Refugeography – Bao Phi
4. Nation of Immigrants – Various Artists
5. Words Will Heal the Wound (Volume One) – Various Artists

(A select list of other nominees included: Theology: Love + Revolution – J. Otis Powell!, The Source – Desdamona, Patriotic Duty – Edupoetic Enterbrainment, Expansions + Contractions (Psoems 1:1) – Truthmaze, Home Cookin’ – Rush Merchant, Invisible Jazz – Chris Schillock/Tabitha, El Guante’s Haunted Studio Apartment – El Guante, Allwhere – Ancestor Energy)

• NATIONAL/INTL

JUDGES AWARD: APOTHECARY RX – CARL HANCOCK RUX
PEOPLES AWARD: BROKEN SPEAK – I WAS BORN WITH TWO TONGUES

Nominees:
1. Amethyst Rock Star – Saul Williams
2. Apothecary Rx – Carl Hancock Rux
3. Broken Speak – i was born with 2 tongues
4. Code Blues – Taalam Acey
5. Dead Man Walking – Amir Sulaiman
6. Saul Williams – Saul Williams
7. The Message – Queen Sheba
8. Underground – Broadcast Live

(A select list of other nominees included: Longstoryshort – Sekou Sundiata, Mixed Greens – Dasha Kelly, Evidence of Silence Broken – Zell Miller III, Soul Searching – Daniel Allen Vaughn, Supa Sista – Ursula Rucker, Welcome to the Afterfuture – Mike Ladd, Work is Love – Ishle Park, The Inevitable Rise of Niggy Tardust – Saul Williams, Strange Fruit – Mums the Schemer)

• SPOKEN WORD SONG/TRACK OF THE YEAR (The most noted single Spoken Word recording of the year. It must be a track that has been recorded and released, even if it is independently or DIY release.)

• (MINNESOTA)

JUDGES AWARD: 17 – EDUPOETIC ENTERBRAINMENT (FROM 17 (SINGLE))
PEOPLES AWARD: THE SECRET TO LIFE IN AMERICA – ED BOK LEE (FROM ?NATION OF IMMIGRANTS?)

Nominees:
1. 17 – Edupoetic Enterbrainment (from 17 (Single))
2. America – e.g. bailey (from America (Single))
3. My Words – Sha Cage (from Amber People)
4. North Side Blues Song – Truthmaze (from Expansions + Contractions (Psoems 1:1))
5. The Secret to Life in America – Ed Bok Lee (from Nation of Immigrants)
6. Write On! – Younique (from Real Spit)

(A select list of other nominees included: Momma I’m Hungry – Marie Chante, Under the Table – Juliana Hu Pegues + Tatiana Ormaza, These Hands – Rodrigo Sanchez, Two Tongues – Bao Phi + Truthmaze, Grand Suns – Bobby Wilson, Red Queen – Lorena Duarte, My Sunshine – Chadword)

• NATIONAL/INTL

JUDGES AWARD: POETRY DOES NOT BELONG TO YOU – QUEEN SHEBA (FROM THE MESSAGE) + FEB. 4 ‘99 (FOR ALL THOSE KILLED BY COPS) – MIKE LADD (FROM WELCOME TO THE AFTERFUTURE)

PEOPLES AWARD: OM NIA AMERICAN – SAUL WILLIAMS (FROM AMETHYST ROCK STAR)

Nominees:
1. Feb. 4 ‘99 (For All Those Killed by Cops) – Mike Ladd (from Welcome to the Afterfuture)
2. I Got the Blues (125th Street Blues) – Asheena McNeil (from People’s Poetry Gathering)
3. All I Wanted Was To Be Love Aloud – Tshaka Imhotep
4. Magic Bullet – Sekou Sundiata (from Longstoryshort)
5. My Pen (Original) – Rha Goddess (from Soulah Vibe)
6. Om Nia American – Saul Williams (from Amethyst Rock Star)
7. Poetry Does Not Belong to You – Queen Sheba (from The Message)
8. Song for Trent Lott… – Roger Bonair Agard (from 5 Past 13: a little bit LOUDER (Volume One))

(A select list of other nominees included: Black Stacey – Saul Williams, Beautiful Poem – Ise Lyfe, The Word – Regie Gibson, Five Women – Taalam Acey, Han – i was born with 2 tongues)

• BEST SPOKEN WORD FEATURE ON AN ALBUM (MN) (The most noted guest Spoken Word feature on an album. This is a feature that is an independent track on an album, rather than a guest spot on a song. An example is Ursula Rucker’s features on the Roots albums, which are independent tracks on the albums, not guest spots on a Roots song. It can be an album of any genre of music)

JUDGES AWARD: NOMI ON KING PHILIP (FROM POWER STRUGGLE’S ARSON AT THE PETTING FACTORY)
PEOPLES AWARD: DESDAMONA ON PRESS REWIND (FROM CHEAP COLOGNE’S SOMETHING RANDOM)

Nominees:
1. Desdamona on Press Rewind (from Cheap Cologne’s Something Random)
2. Douglas Kearney on A Word From Our Sponsor (from Nazirah P. Mickey’s Nazirah’s Playhouse)
3. Nomi on King Philip (from Power Struggle’s Arson At The Petting Factory)
4. Mark Murphy on Out Loud (from Wookiefoot’s Domesticated: The story of nothing and the monkey)
5. Slug on Pride’s Paranoia (from Varietals (Volume One) Compilation)

• BEST SPOKEN WORD FEATURE ON A TRACK (MN) (The most noted guest Spoken Word feature on a song/track. It can be a track of any genre of music. It must be a track that has been recorded and released, even if it is independently or DIY release.)

JUDGES AWARD: RHAPSODE ON PLANET REMIX (FROM DESDAMONA’S THE LEDGE)
PEOPLES AWARD: TRUTHMAZE ON MOVING ON (FROM LEROY SMOKES’ LOVE HUSTLE THEATER)

Nominees:
1. Douglas Kearney on Crossroads of Convenient Stores (from Bao Phi’s Refugeography)
2. Madame Mimi on The Last Poet (from e.g. bailey’s America (Single))
3. Emmanuel Ortiz on Painkillers (from Big Quarter’s Cost of Living)
4. J. Otis Powell! on This Cat is Out (from Donald Washington’s This Cat is Out)
5. Rhapsode on Planet Remix (from Desdamona’s The Ledge)
6. Truthmaze on Moving On (from Leroy Smoke’s Love Hustle Theater)

• BEST SPOKEN WORD/HIP HOP THEATRE PRODUCTION (MN) (The most noted Spoken Word/Hip Hop Theatre production created and/or produced by a Minnesota based Spoken Word/Hip Hop Theatre artist.) (Examples: Karma the Oddest Goddess’ Waking Up Ghetto, LP’s Patriot Acts, Soulistic Playhouse’s The Remix, Poetic Assassins, etc.)

JUDGES AWARD: LP’S PATRIOT ACTS (PANGEA WORLD THEATRE’S BRIDGES PROJECT)
PEOPLES AWARD: POETIC ASSASSINS (POETIC ASSASSINS)

Nominees:
1. 2704 (Pangea World Theatre’s Bridges Project)
2. LP’s Patriot Acts (Pangea World Theatre’s Bridges Project)
3. Poetic Assassins (Poetic Assassins)
4. for colored girls and black boys: the remix (Soulistic Playhouse)
5. Waking Up Ghetto (Karma the Oddest Goddess/Soulistic Playhouse)

• BEST SPOKEN WORD/THEATRE PRODUCTION (NATIONAL/INTL) (The most noted Spoken Word/Hip Hop Theatre production created and/or produced by a national Spoken Word/Hip Hop Theatre artist, that has been produced in Minnesota.) (Examples: Sekou Sundiata’s 51st Dream State, Marc Bamuthi’s The Break/s, Zell Miller III’s The Evidence of Silence Broken, Universes’ S’language, Def Poetry Jam on Broadway, Chicano Messengers, etc.)

JUDGES AWARD: SEKOU SUNDIATA’S THE 51ST (DREAM) STATE (WALKER ART CENTER)
PEOPLES AWARD: RUSSELL SIMMON’S DEF POETRY JAM (HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST)

Nominees:
1. Sekou Sundiata’s The 51st (Dream) State (Walker Art Center)
2. Marc Bamuthi Joseph’s the break/s (Walker Art Center)
3. Chicano Messengers of Spoken Word (Chicano Messengers/Macalester College/Tru Ruts’ Freestyle Theatre/The Loft’s Equilibrium Series)
4. Russell Simmon’s Def Poetry Jam (Hennepin Theatre Trust)
5. Zell Miller III’s The Evidence of Silence Broken (Tru Rut’s Freestyle Theatre/Pillsbury House Theatre)

• BOOK OF THE YEAR (MN) (The most noted book, chapbook and/or collection. of poetry, released by a Spoken Word artist.)

JUDGES AWARD: FEAR, SOME – DOUGLAS KEARNEY
PEOPLES AWARD: REAL KARAOKE PEOPLE – ED BOK LEE

Nominees:
1. Bridge Across the Atlantic – Ibe Kaba
2. Fear, Some – Douglas Kearney
3. Outside the Lines – Palabristas
4. Real Karaoke People – Ed Bok Lee
5. Shotgun Samurai Vampire Hip Hop – El Guante

(A select list of other nominees included: Spiral Bound – Dessa Darling, On the Other Side of the Eye – Bryan Thao Worra, Soapboxing Chapbook (2008), Never Said – Katie Ka Vang, Koi + Crufixes – Chadword, Surviving the Translation – Bao Phi)

• BEST SPOKEN WORD RECORD LABEL (NATIONAL/INTL) (The most noted Spoken Word and/or Spoken Word related record label. The label needs to have produced more than one Spoken Word or Spoken Word related release.) (Examples: PoetCD.com, Tru Ruts/Speakeasy Records, Strange Famous Records, etc.)

JUDGES AWARD: OZONE MUSIC
PEOPLES AWARD: TRU RUTS/SPEAKEASY RECORDS

Nominees:
1. Ozone
2. Oya Exclusive
3. PoetCD.com
4. Shaya Records
5. Strange Famous
6. Tru Ruts/Speakeasy Records

• OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION (MN) (Outstanding contributions to the spoken word community. A special award created to honor the work and efforts of e.g. bailey.)

JUDGES AWARD: E.G. BAILEY

# # # # #

• MN SPOKEN WORD HALL OF FAME

Minnesota has a long history and tradition of Spoken Word that should be recognized and highlighted. This category is to honor that tradition and those that have laid the foundation for the community today. The artists nominated for this category must have been working the in Spoken Word community for at least 7 years, and have made significant contributions to the Spoken Word community in Minnesota and/or beyond. The national Spoken Word movement also has a long tradition that should be recognized and highlighted. Because Minnesota has a long standing focus on the history and tradition of the art form, we included this category in order to recognized artists that have made significant contributions to the development of the Spoken Word art form.

• MN SPOKEN WORD ARTISTS

2009 INDUCTEE: J. OTIS POWELL!

Nominees:
1. Louis Alemayehu
2. Carolyn Holbrook
3. David Mura
4. J. Otis Powell!
5. Marcie Rendon

• NATIONAL SPOKEN WORD ARTISTS

2009 INDUCTEES: AMIRI BARAKA + THE LAST POETS

Nominees:
1. Amiri Baraka
2. Allen Ginsberg
3. Gil Scott Heron
4. The Last Poets
5. Patricia Smith
6. Marc Smith
7. Sekou Sundiata
8. Anne Waldman
9. Bob Holman

 

Voting for the Urban Griots Awards Now Open

VOTING FOR THE URBAN GRIOTS AWARDS NOW OPEN
NOMINEES AND VOTING BALLOT ANNOUNCED
AWARD CEREMONY 3 APRIL 2009 @ VARSITY THEATER (MPLS)

Quick Link to the Urban Griots Awards Voting Ballot: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/118841/urbangriotsawardsvoting

Quick Link to the Urban Griots Awards Show at the Varsity:
- Myspace: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=60157230&blogId=480280
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/business/dashboard/?ref=sb#/event.php?eid=64617956274&ref=mf

You may have heard the buzz about the Urban Griots Awards, or the ads on KMOJ + KFAI radio stations. An awards show celebrating the spoken word community in Minnesota and beyond, and presenting the first MN Spoken Word Hall of Fame, the Urban Griots Awards will be taking place on April 3rd at the Varsity Theater. With a packed evening of performers, and over 30 categories presented, the Awards ceremony will be a night not to miss.

To bring you this celebration, we sent over 175 nomination forms to folks in the spoken word and spoken word related communities––locally, nationally and globally––to determine the finalists in each category. The categories cover the breadth of the spoken word community in Minnesota, including some national categories. They not only celebrate artists but also events, community organizers, artist activists, producers, and creative work ranging from albums to theatre productions to radio shows to books released by spoken word artists. Plus we honor those that have laid the foundation for the community and art form today with the MN Spoken Word Hall of Fame. The project is supported by noted and respected artists in the community from Jessica Care Moore, Amiri Baraka, J. Otis Powell!, Taalam Acey, Carolyn Holbrook, David Mura, Kevin Coval, and others.

With the Urban Griots Awards we are doing something a little different, we are presenting two awards per category. There will be a Peoples Award and a Judges Award. Also we are providing samples and excerpts of work of nominated artists, and artistic work, for as many categories as we can, right in the voting ballot. We have also included, where possible, information about the artists, including highlights and special recognition, and artistic information and statements from the artists themselves, about their work or the project. This way voters can become familiar with as many of the nominated artists and work as possible, so they can make a more informed decision about each of the categories. We also hope that you will be introduced to an artist or a work that you may not be familiar with.

For the Judges Award we have sent information to over 30 judges in the spoken word and spoken word related communities. We’ve selected a wide range of judges, with knowledge and expertise in the field, from artists to organizers to promoters to press, and including noted artists from around the globe and in Minnesota.

For the Peoples Award we are coming to you, the People. We are asking you to cast your votes for the Awards, Now, so your voice can be heard. We also ask that you spread the Word, and pass on the information to your lists, networks and friends. The voting is open to anyone, anywhere. You do not have to live in Minnesota or in the U.S. The spoken word community is wide and vibrant, and we want to hear from you. This is why we have provided work samples and excerpts, and nominee information, so you can make the most informed decision as possible, regardless of where you are based.

* The only limit with the voting is that you can only vote once per IP address, this is to protect against multiple voting by a single person. We realize this may limit folks in certain situations but we feel this is the best way at this time to protect the integrity of the online voting process.

To cast your vote, you can go to this link:

If you have any questions, or would like more information, please contact us at mnswa.mail@gmail.com.

We hope that you will join us as we celebrate the Spoken Word community and art form. We thank you for your time and your support. All the best.

Sincerely,

Urban Griots Organizing Committee
& MN Spoken Word Association

# # #

Note: The response to the Urban Griots Awards have been great. We have included some of them below. Your kind words are greatly appreciated.

“Thank you for nominating me for such a amazing award. It is always a great honor to be recognized for ones work.”

“Wow, what an honor!! I’m deeply humbled receiving this finalist nomination, especially from MNSWA, an organization which does so much arts organizing in many communities.”

“Wow, I’m speechless! It never even occurred to me that I might be considered for this august award.”

“Thanks so much for doing this whole thing and for the nomination. What a great thing for spoken word and slam in the Twin Cities.”

“i think this is a great idea and kinda interested in learning what you all do and maybe trying to do it in chi as well somewhere down the road.”

“Thanks for all the great work you do for the community.”

“Thanks for doing this. Hopefully it can give spoken word in MN a much needed shot in the arm.”

“With an initiative like this I do see it succeeding well”

“Oh wow! How amazing! I am so honored and humbled!”

“This is is wonderful news. I am working on my responses right now!”

“I am speechless and truly honored.”

 

Urban Griots Awards at Varsity Theater • April 3rd

The MN Spoken Word Association Presents

The URBAN GRIOTS Spoken Word Awards Celebration
An 8 Year Retrospective Honoring One of the Nations Most Vibrant Communities
The Official National Poetry Month Kick-Off!
Friday, April 3, 200

WHAT: An evening of historic recognition, noted nominees, awards, music and dance highlighting the magnitude of the celebrated Spoken Word community in the Twin Cities and beyond. Not to be missed performances by Twin Cities finest spoken word artists, bands, and DJs. The official 2009 National Poetry Month kick off, this evening is one of the most culturally diverse artistic gatherings held this year. A night to Celebrate and Remember!! Be sure to check out Twin Cities + National Spoken Word artists on your Spoken Word radio shows –– Tehuti: From the Griot to the MC (KFAI, 90.3fm/106.7fm, www.kfai.org, Sundays 11pm – midnight), Spoken Soul (KMOJ, 88.9fm, www.kmojfm.com, Saturdays, 10pm – midnight) and Write On RaDio! (KFAI, 90.3fm/106.7fm, www.kfai.org, Thursdays, 11am – noon).

“What you all have here is special…don’t ever forget that.” –– Amiri Baraka (2008)

“I’ve been saying for years, the Twin Cities Spoken Word Community is one of the most advanced, and innovative, in the country, and a number of artists here can stand toe to toe with many of the top artists nationwide. It just usually doesn’t get the attention it deserves.” –– e.g. bailey (MN Spoken Word Association/Tru Ruts)

WHEN/WHERE:
Friday, April 3, 2009. Doors at 8pm. Event at 9pm. The Varsity Theater.
308 Fourth St. S.E., Minneapolis.

COST:
$3 Before 9:30pm, $5 After 9:30pm
Advance Tickets Available at www.varsitytheater.org

RESERVATIONS:
Group Reservations are being taken now for reserved seating via email at mnswa.mail@gmail.com

ABOUT THE EVENING AND ARTISTS:

Master of Ceremony: Tiyo Siyolo
Music By: DJ Mixwell
Awards: Over 20 categories of awards, ranging from Spoken Word Album to New Artist of the Year to launching Minnesota’s Spoken Word Hall of Fame.

Performances By: J. Otis Powell, Truthmaze, Bao Phi, Edupoetic Enterbrainment (Frank Sentwali, Tiyo, Queen Drea), Hyder Ali, Ibe Kaba, Palabristas, Ed Bok Lee, Poetic Assassins, MPLS and St. Paul Slam Teams, Marie Chante, Guante, Chantz, Tish Jones, Lady Lit, October, Karma, Niyah Bengai and other surprise guests.

SPONSORS: KFAI Fresh Air Community Radio, KMOJ Radio

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:
Interview opportunities, digital photos and video are available upon request.

PRESS CONTACT:
Sha Cage, MN Spoken Word Association
(612) 288-9491 or sha.mnswa@gmail.com

MN Spoken Word Association (MNSWA) is one of the premier Spoken Word organizations in the nation with programming solely dedicated to spoken word and urban arts. It strives to empower youth and community through leadership, literacy, and spoken word! Programming includes: workshops and residencies in schools and community centers, regional/national travel, social justice work, area slams, radio shows, consulting and producing projects, youth leadership groups, and sustainable partnerships.

# # #

 

Jessica Care Moore Kicks off Summer Tour with MNSWA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: May 24, 2003

Contact: Sha Cage 612-746-1500 x2
sha@mnspokenword.org

MN Spoken Word Association & Kairo Communications present
Jessica Care Moore
(Def Poetry Jam, Slam Nation (documentary),
Underground Voices (documentary), SLAM (film),
Nas’ CD “Nastradamas”, and many other projects)

Alphabet Verses The Ghetto Tour
featuring BLACK Elephant (of Milwaukee) and Twin Cities spoken word artists

Saturday June 21st at U of M Campus, Coffman Memorial Union (CMU) Theatre, 309 Coffman Memorial Union, 300 Washington Avenue S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455. 7pm doors, 8pm performance; $15/$12 in advance/$10 students; All Ages. Call 612-746-1500 (x3) or email info@mnspokenword.org for ticket locations.

The MN Spoken Word Association proudly presents the kick off tour of Spoken Word artist, Jessica Care Moore also featuring BLACK Elephant and Twin Cities female spoken word artists, on Saturday June 21, 2003 at the University of Minnesota’s Coffman Memorial Union (CMU) Theatre.

The only five-time winner of the famed ‘Showtime at the Apollo’ Amateur Night competition, Jessica Care Moore has performed on the same stage as CeCe Wynans, Sonia Sanchez, Gil Scott Herron, The Last Poets, Mos Def, Ossie Davis, Nikki Giovanni, Roy Ayers and others. A main character in the documentary Slamnation, Jessica left audiences in awe with her one-woman play There Are No Asylums For Real Crazy Women, the story of Vivienne Eliot, the late first wife of famous poet T.S. Eliot. Ms. Moore is the founder and president of Moore Black Press, a publishing company founded to give access to the works of up and coming poets and spoken word artists. Jessica was featured on the first season of Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry on HBO and will appear on an upcoming episode of the sophomore season of the acclaimed HBO series. She has performed her poetry in London, Scotland, Berlin, Paris and Amsterdam. Recently completed a production of her new theatre work Alphaphobia, about a black girl who thinks the alphabet is trying to kill her.

A multifaceted writer, publisher, and international actor, Care Moore hits home with her soulful sound, rapid-fire lyrics and hardcore appeal. Author of the best selling poetry collection, The Words Don’t Fit In My Mouth, she is no ordinary poet-she is one of the hottest young book authors in the country. ” Monica Scott

Jessica Care Moore and her poetry were featured in Born to Sing Mama 3, as well as in the documentaries Underground Voices and SlamNation, and the feature film Slam, which won the 1998 Sundance Film Festival. She has been featured on several TV talk shows, and her poetry has appeared in both mainstream and alternative publications. Moore currently teaches poetry and publishing workshops to high school students in New York City and is CEO at her publishing company, Moore Black Press. She is currently editing The Poetry of Emcees, anthology of poetry by hip hop artists.

Jessica Care Moore in Concert marks the fifth occasion in which The MN Spoken Word Association has hosted a national artist of her caliber, recognition, and artistry. “The success of last summer’s Singers of Daybreak Spoken Word Conference that featured the legendary Last Poets and the fiery ensemble, i was born with two tongues, showed how excited audiences are for quality Spoken Word. The community has made it pretty clear in their overwhelming support that they want to see cutting edge performances that cross and connect local and national borders,” said e.g.bailey, Artistic/Executive Director of The MN Spoken Word Association. The organization is proud to lead as the ‘premiere’ presenting organization in the Twin Cites for quality Spoken Word performances, he adds.

Tickets for Jessica Care Moore in Concert are priced at $15/$12 advance/$10 students, and are available in advance by calling 612-746-1500 or info@mnspokenword.org. The Coffman Memorial Union (CMU) Theatre is located in 309 Coffman Memorial Union at 300 Washinton Avenue S.E. in Minneapolis.

Note To Press: For more information, promotional photos, or to request an interview, please contact Sh Cage at (612) 746-1500 (x2) or sha@mnspokenword.org.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
The MN Spoken Word Association is dedicated to bringing the spoken word community into a stronger alliance while serving as a primary presenter and resource center. Our concentration is both regional and national. We wish to nurture and elevate the community by acting as a focal point for collaborative efforts between artists, venues, and organizations.

 

El Ritmo Del Corazon (The Rhythm of the Heart) featuring Miguel Algarin

For Immediate Release

May 25, 2003

Contact: Sh Cage 612.746.1500 (x2)
sha@mnspokenword.org

The MN Spoken Word Association presents
“El Ritmo Del Corazon (The Rhythm of the Heart)”
An evening of Hip Hop, Poetry, Spoken Word, and Music
featuring the infamous Nuyurican Poets Café founder, poet and activist MIGUEL ALGARIN
along with Los Nativos (Rhyme Sayers Collective),Tatiana Omaza, and Emmanuel Ortiz
on Saturday, June 7th at Pillsbury House Theatre, 9:00 p.m.

Curated by Laurie Carlos and e.g.bailey as part of the Non English/ Speaking Spoken Here Late Nite Series, the event will be an unprecedented evening of poetry, DJing, and electrifying Hip Hop layered with Spoken Word bringing together Miguel Algarin from New York with Twin Cities artists, Los Nativos, Tatiana Ormaza, and Emmanuel Ortiz.

Headlining the evening Miguel Algarin, one of the most nationally and internationally recognized poets of his time and founder of the Nuyorican Poets Caf in New York City where he has nurtured the spoken and written word for nearly three decades and provided a blueprint for the development of the international slam poetry movement that first surfaced in Chicago. A distinguished poet and critic with eight collections to his credit and professor at Rutgers University, Algarin, along with the emerging artists of the Nuyorican Poets Café, bring their talents to the forefront, dazzling audiences with vibrant presentations; mixing the traditional arts of oral story telling and classical poetry with the edgy raw rhythm of the hip-hop influenced streets creates the soulful heartbeat which is the Café.

Featured in several films and documentaries including Poetry In Motion, Anthem and the critically-acclaimed Pinero, about his longtime friend and fellow poet, Miguel Pinero. Algarin’s innovative style culminates in a massive new piece of literature he will be sharing for the first time in the Twin Cities, entitled Dirty Beauty, which deals with religious, political, erotic and psychological themes.

Annointing the mic and recently returning from tour, Los Nativos has been receiving critical acclaim for their latest album. From the nationally recognized Rhymesayers Collective (the hip hop ensemble) is captivating on stage, as they navigate from English to Spanish hip hop flowetry leaving audiences begging for more.

Colombian desendent and chidren’s rights advocate Tatiana Ormaza launches from deep roots in poetry, struggle and survival while Guerilla Wordfare’s Co-Founder Emmanuel Ortiz’s work is grounded in activism and the political consciousness of our times. They will both perform new works of poetry that canvas the spectrum of identity, kinship, and culture.

El Ritmo Del Corazon (The Rhythm of the Heart) will take place on Saturday, June 7rd 2003 Pillsbury House Theatre (3501 Chicago Ave. So. Mpls, MN). This is an all ages event. Doors and Free Spanish Dinner at 8:15pm. Event 9:00pm-11:00pm. Tickets are $8 (students $5) 16 and unde, Freer. For more information call 612.746.1500 or email info@mnspokenword.org.

 

Singers of Daybreak + Carl Hancock Rux: Spoken Word Comes of Age

Singers of Daybreak + Carl Hancock Rux: Spoken Word Comes of Age
by Lydia Howell

Through hip-hop, poetry and the many strands of oral traditions, have permeated pop culture. Minneapolis is ground zero for the first national symposium of spoken word performance, SINGERS OF DAYBREAK. The two-day conference is a whirlwind of dialogue, jams, workshops, video, and film showings, capped by an exhilarating evening of performances.

“Spoken Word is a long-practiced form, most recognized in the griot tradition of Africa, the bardic tradition of Europe and the Middle East, Tamil poets of India, and the cantos singers of South America,” says e.g. bailey, co-founder of the Minnesota Spoken Word Association, initiating the historical weekend of events. “Spoken Word today grows out of these traditions, an American prodigy: from the Harlem Renaissance and Blues singers, the Beat Generation poets of the 50s rebelling against conformity to poets of the Black Artist Movement of the 60s. The art from married Jazz in the 50s and gave birth to hip-hop, continuing to evolve in the 80s and 90s.”

bailey knows his stuff, as former co-producer of KFAI’s Write On RaDio! program and various performance groups including Arkology. SINGERS OF DAYBREAK continues his mission to create opportunities for emerging and established artists to explore and express themselves in a fully empowered way. The conference features a myriad of workshops for developing skills, taught by local artists with a body of work. SINGERS OF DAYBREAK is the outgrowth of the Spoken Word community over the last five years.

The artists leading dialogues and teaching workshops will also perform at First Avenue, Sunday August 19, at First Avenue. Truthmaze gives an Introduction to Spoken Word, with bailey; novelist Alexs Pate explores Writing and Publishing; J. Otis Powell! (who premiered his poetic-performance piece STIGMATISM at Intermedia Arts last month) explores Spoken Word and Music. Sha Cage, Minnesota Spoken Word Association co-founder, and co-creator of Mama Mosaic theatre group, teaches career development with the astounding Desdamona and Frank Sentwali.

You can get in the groove at an open-mic performance Saturday evening at 7pm at Sabathani Community Center. Closing out day-one of the event is an outdoor dusk showing of the feature film SLAM, which follows the open mic.

“We’re looking for participation from youth to long-time performers,” said Sha Cage. “This is a community-building event.” (Scholarships are available).

Leading a master class workshop and headlining the Sunday, First Avenue concert (backed by the local jazz group Moveable Feast) will be NYC luminary Carl Hancock Rux. This Bronx-born performer has toured from Paris to Africa, blowing minds along the way. His debut CD, RUX REVUE, included Rux jamming with singer-songwriter Toshi Reagon, and shatters boundaries: Delta blues meets hip-hop and the frontiers of Jazz as does his live performance.

Spin Magazine observed that Rux’s “baritone bends like a willow switch.” The NY Times called him a “secular preacher and hip-hop provocateur.” To this writer’s ears, he is an urgent whisper, an authentic shout of the unbound spirit. He expresses a tender lyricism with gritty truths. His performance is a don’t miss event. Slam champion, local poet Bao Phi, will perform pieces from his new fiery CD, FLARES. Congo transplant, Sister Mimi; dancer Leah Nelson; singer and founder of Java Noire Café, Anika, and spoken word collectives Edupoetic Enterbrainment and The Poet Tree, among others, join Rux for a spellbinding night.

For complete schedule: www.mnspokenword.org. 612-288-9491. Sat. Aug. 18: 10am-4pm Opening Ceremony & Panel Discussion, Workshops; 7pm Open Mic, Screening of SLAM at dusk. Sun. Aug. 19: Noon-4pm Master Class, Workshops at SABATHANI Community Center, 310 E. 38th St., Mpls. (Check website for details and prices)

Carl Hancock Rux and Twin Cities performers, Sun. Aug. 19 6pm ($10) First Avenue, Mpls.

First published in 2001 in The Twin Cities Pulse

 

Singers of Daybreak 2001 featuring Carl Hancock Rux

Press Release:

July, 27, 2001

Contact:
Rachel Joyce
612.874.7931

MINNESOTA SPOKEN WORD ASSOCIATION PRESENTS
THE FIRST SPOKEN WORD SYMPOSIUM: SINGERS OF DAYBREAK
TWO DAY DIALOGUE TO FEATURE SONY SPOKEN WORD RECORDING
ARTIST CARL HANCOCK RUX

The art of spoken word is an ancient art form rooted in the oral tradition recognized in the griot tradition of Africa, the bardic tradition of Europe and the Middle East, the itinerant Tamil poets of India and the cantos singers of South America. Spoken word as it is practiced today is a rhythmically based performance of poetry that is steeped in influence of these traditions. Recognizing the rise of spoken word as an art form in the community in the last 10 years, the Minnesota Spoken Word Association presents the Twin Cities first symposium dedicated to the art of spoken word.This two-day dialogue, August 18 &19, will feature panel discussions, workshops, screenings of spoken word films and videos, and youth activities. The event concludes with Carl Hancock Rux headlining an evening of spoken word, music and dance in First Avenue’s Mainroom. Featuring two stages, the evening will include a performance by jazz group Moveable Feast, spoken word collectives Edupoetic Enterbrainment, The Poet Tree Collective, the Brutist, a performance by rising hip hop artist Slug (of Atmosphere) and along solo spoken word artists including J. Otis Powell!, Bao Phi, Divine Words, Doug Kearney, Sister Mimi, Toki Wright, choreographer Leah Nelson, and others. The evening will culminate with a performance by Carl Hancock Rux.

Selected by The New York Times Magazine as “One of Thirty Artists Under the Age of Thirty Most Likely to Influence Culture Over the Next Thirty Years” (New York Times-1994) and featured on the cover of The Village Voice as one of “Eight Writers on the Verge of Impacting The Literary Landscape…” (Village Voice-June 1998), poet/performer Carl Hancock Rux crosses the disciplines of poetry, music, dance and theater. Having recently published an experimental collection of poetry and prose, Pagan Operetta (Fly By Night Press), Rux has also published poetry, fiction and experimental dramas in numerous journals and anthologies internationally. Musically, Rux has performed his work in collaboration with a variety of artists, including Vernon Reid, Mark Batson, Toshi Reagon, Nona Hendryx, as well as alternative rock bands, trip-hop DJ’s, Latin orchestras, and West African drumming ensembles. Rux has also performed on world stages with The Alvin Alley American Dance Theater (with Jamaican multi-percussionist Junior Gabbu Wedderburn), The Urban Bush Women (featuring an original composition by the avante-garde jazz musician David Murray), and Movin’ Spirits Dance Theater (with Tony award nominated choreographer of “Rent”, Marlies Yearby). He has also performed his work throughout the U.S., Europe, West Africa, Indonesia and Scandinavia. Rux’s debut album, Rux Revue (Sony/550 Music), pairs the artist with some of popular-alternative music’s most inventive composers to date, including Beck/Beastie Boys producers, The Dust Brothers, Elliot Smith producers, Tom Rothrock and Rob Schnapf, newcomer Alan Elliot, and acclaimed folk rock singer/songwriter, Toshi Reagon. Rux Revue is available now.

The reputation of the Twin Cities as a rising spoken word community was recently acknowledged by the naming of Minneapolis as the location of the 2002 National Slam Competition. The community has fostered the talents of several nationally acknowledged performers including Bao Phi who has won at the Nuyorican slam competition (one of the strongest in the country) twice. He has also placed highly at the National Slam Competition two years in a row. And the local performance community is poised for international acclaim with the upcoming release of a CD featuring the spoken word of Desdamona produced by legendary Jamaican producers Sly & Robbie. Additionally, Village Blues, the spoken word film by spoken word artist e.g. bailey and filmmaker Ayesha Adu has been shown in several festival and venues including the Juneteenth Film Festival, MMAAC First Film Festival, and MNTV, a showcase of Minnesota independent films. And it received a silver award at the Worldfest Flagstaff International Film and Video Festival. A group of Minnesota spoken word artists including Mankwe Ndosi, Truthmaze, Sister Mimi, Desdamona performed Sleeping God at the first Hip Hop Theatre Festival in New York under the direction of dancer and choreographer Leah Nelson. Edupoetic Enterbrainment has performed regionally at various venues, and member Tiyo Siyolo placed in top 10 (out of 120) at the Def Jam Slam Competitions in Chicago.

The mission of MN Spoken Word Association is to foster and support the community of spoken word artists in Minnesota, and to facilitate programs and events that will further the work of the artists and advance the art of Spoken Word. MnSWA creates programs and workshops for spoken word artists, develop and facilitate grants, and promote their work. It would also serve as a center for information and networking within the spoken word community.

This activity is made possible, in part, by funds provided by Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC) from an appropriation by the Minnesota Legislature. Also funded in part by the Jerome Foundation.

Singers of the Daybreak is co-sponsored by SASE: The Write Place, Intermedia Arts, KFAI, The Loft, Flatland Gallery, Ricochet Kitchen, Rhymesayers Entertainment, First Avenue, World Beat Video, Borders Book Stores, Insight News, Radio K, Pangea World Theatre, Sgt. Preston’s, Sound Unseen/Undercinema, Ashe & Spencer, The Archie Givens Sr. Collection, The Givens Foundation, Minnesota Center for Book Arts, First Fridays, Sabathani Community Center, Pillsbury House Theatre and Backdrop Productions.

Artist biographies and a complete schedule of symposium events follows. For more complete information about Singers of Daybreak or MN Spoken Word Association, please check our website www.mnspokenword.org.