Slam with Your Mother Tongue at Open Book Poetica

Poetry Potion | September 3rd, 2014 | poetry seen | No Comments

After stelar ticket sales in 2013, the Open Book Poetry Slam returns for the second time. It is part of the Poetica programme at Open Book Festival this September. Open Book Poetry Slam showcases poetry in performance and this year, the focus will be on the Mother Tongue.

“This year, we’ve decided to grow the slam beyond the festival itself – we want to use the platform to encourage poets to write and perform in their mother tongue,” says Poetica curator, Toni Stuart.

The programme kicked off in August with three workshops hosted by well known poets, Khadijah Heeger, Jitsvinger and Lwanda Sindaphi in English, Afrikaan and Xhosa respectively. The poetry slam has three preliminary rounds – one hosted by InZync in Stellenbosch, one by Lingua Franca and a third round will be hosted by Poetica at Central Library. The third round will feature UK poet and performer, Francesca Beard, thanks to British Council ConnectZA. She will also run a workshop on slam techniques before the final slam, and will share a feature performance during the event.

InZync Poetry Slam

Venue: Amazink, Stellenbosch Date and time: Thursday, 4 September from 7pm – 10pm

Poetica Slam

Venue: Central Library, Cape Town Date and time: Saturday, 13 September from 12pm – 3:30pm Slam techniques workshop by Francesca Beard: 12pm – 1pm Poetica Slam featuring performance by Francesca Beard: 1.30pm – 3.30pm

Open Book Poetry Slam

Open Book Poetry Slam Final

Venue: the Fugard Theatre Studio Date and Time: Poetica, Open Book Festival, Saturday, 20 September from 8pm – 9:30pm Featured performances by Adrian Different Van Wyk, Khanyisile Mbongwa and Hakkiesdraad The workshops and preliminary rounds are free to enter and attend while the Open Book Poetry Slam final will be a ticketed event at the festival.

“We’re excited to see and hear the work that Cape Town’s poets will bring to the slam this year. We’re really hoping to see more Xhosa and Afrikaans poets competing at all of our events,” says Stuart.

The Open Book Poetry Slam is in collaboration with Slipnet’s InZync Poetry Session, Lingua Franca Spoken Word Movement and Cape Town Central Library and is made possible through sponsorship from Taurus Associates. 

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