Stellar line-up for Arts Alive poetry sessions
JOBURG - POETRY lovers can look forward to a mixed bill of "literary giants, revolutionary wordsmiths, and contemporary musicians" at this year's Speak the Mind poetry sessions.
The ninth edition of the sessions, the Johannesburg Arts Alive International Festival’s main spoken word programme, will have as its theme “20 years of democracy”.
“The line-up celebrates the 22 years of the Arts Alive festival with previous show headliners. The selection process took into consideration artists that would best echo what the 20 years of South African democracy mean and articulate that on stage,” said spokesperson Ashveer Kewalpershad.
One of the headlining acts will be Jamaican Rastafarian dub poet, Mutabaruka.
“The Dis Poem lyricist, known for his frank and provocative social and political commentary, is not afraid to get intimate or didactic with his audience, which makes him special to watch,” he said.
Another session highlight will be Dr Mongane Wally Serote, who was part of the ’70s generation of black South African writers called the Soweto Writers, and whose early work contributed to the foundations of the Black Consciousness movement.
“Lebo Mashile and Tumi Molekane represent a generation of significant post-apartheid voices, and both came up as part of the collective called Perm in creative spaces like the Jungle Connection in Doornfontein in the early 2000s,” said Kewalpershad.
“Both global in their own right, Mashile and Molekane are powerful writers and leaders in their craft… They will be joined by younger and exciting poets such as Gratitude Fisher and Mandi ‘Poefficient’ Vundla.”
The sessions will also feature a performance by experimental band Soul Housing Project, founded by Bokani Dyer and Sakhile Moleshe, a rap and afrojazz collaboration between Swazi vocalist Jazz P and Zimbabwean multi-instrumentalist Josh Meck.
Nigerian spoken word artist and writer Efe Paul-Azino, New Yorker Queen GodIs, and local DJ Kenzhero will also appear at the event.
The Speak the Mind sessions will take place on 5 September at The Mandela at Joburg Theatre, corner of Simmonds and Stiements streets, Braamfontein, at 7pm.
Details: www.arts-alive.co.za; Computicket 0861 915 8000; www.computicket.com
