What’s a Slam?
An Olympic Style poetry competition. Poems have a 3 minute time limit and are scored by a panel of judges. No props or musical instrument can be used. The crowd is often wildly excited! Of course, with youth poetry, MNSWA takes the focus off the competition and more towards the celebration of poetry, writing and literacy as empowerment!

PUTS MN YOUTH ON THE MAP

Middle School and High School poets will perform original works alongside Twin Cities luminaries Villa Rosa (Maria Isa and Muja Messiah), Truthmaze, DJ Stage One, Crescent Moon (of Kill the Vultures), DJ Elsewhere and others in a fiery day of poetry, spoken word and hip hop at the annual Say Word! Youth Poetry Festival presented by the MN Spoken Word Association in collaboration with Plan-It-Hennepin. The event is the first of its kind in the state and aims to impact literacy across Minnesota while putting Youth on the Map! Don’t miss Finals on Saturday April 21, 2012 at the New Century Theater at 615 Hennepin Avenue, in downtown Minneapolis (3:00-5:00pm for Middle school and 7:00-9:00pm for High School Finals). Tickets are only $2 and can be reserved online in advance.

The MN Spoken Word Association in partnership with Plan-It-Hennepin Presents
the Annual Say Word! Youth Poetry Festival

April 21, 2012
New Century Theater • Downtown Minneapolis

12:00 – Middle School Prelims
3:00pm – Middle School Finals

12:30pm – High School Prelims
7:00pm – High School Finals

Say Word! Youth Poetry Festival is a one day youth spoken word event celebrating the youth poets of Minnesota, with sidewalk dance ciphers, a non-competitive open mic, workshops, networking, guest performances and a marathon of slam competitions aimed at crowning the 2012 Say Word! Champions. Slam teams feature middle school and high school youth, however the slams are also open to any individual youth poet, of middle school or high school age between 13-18 years old, can create a independent team of 4-6 poets to participate in the festival, whether they are enrolled in school, part of an after school program or just youth in the community. Teams will compete in a series of slams with the four remaining teams competing in the Finals; there will be a Middle School Finals and a High School Finals. There is limited space in the workshops; please arrive early to sign up. The community at large is invited to come witness, participate and support the youth. Poetry will be all-age appropriate.

What’s a Slam?
An Olympic Style poetry competition. Poems have a 3 minute time limit and are scored by a panel of judges. No props or musical instrument can be used. The crowd is often wildly excited! Of course, with youth poetry, MNSWA takes the focus off the competition and more towards the celebration of poetry, writing and literacy as empowerment!

Tickets: $2 Donation.
More information at email mnswa.mail@gmail.com.

SPEAK!

‪MN Spoken Word Association presents
WRITE ON!: MNSWA/QUEST FOR THE VOICE BENEFIT SHOWCASE
Sunday · June 17th · 6:00pm

Rarig Center (University of MN)
330 – 21st Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55455

featuring Ed Bok Lee, Ibe Kaba, Sam Cook,
Quest of the Voice 2011 Slam Team + others

co-sponsored by U of M’s Theater + Dance Dept.

An intimate evening of our closest supporters and community, featuring some of the finest spoken word performers in the Twin Cities, celebrating 10 years of being in existence. Music, silent auction and amazing performances. The event culminates the 2011 Write On! Spoken Word + Hip Hop Institute, and spotlights the Quest for the Voice 2011 youth voices. Door donations accepted, plus free will offering.

Rarig Center (University of MN)
330 – 21st Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55455

featuring Toki Wright (Rhymesayers), Rafael Casal (Bay Area),
Speakers Under the Sun, Rojelio + others

co-sponsored by U of M’s Theater + Dance Dept.

Twenty of MN’s finest youth poets bout it out. The MN Spoken Word Association produces this inspiring series, now in its 7th year. Youth finalist will represent MN at the Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Festival in San Francisco, CA this July. Expect laughter, tears, heavy applause and celebration.

“This program is one of the most beautiful programs for youth across the country. To hear young people tell their stories (some for the first time), is truly life-changing.” – M.P.

For more information: www.mnspokenword.com or mnswa.mail@gmail.com or sha.mnswa@gmail.com.

Two weekends:
Fri May 20th – Sun May 22nd
Fri June 10th – Sun June 12th

10:00 – 2:00pm
Rarig Center (University of MN)
330 – 21st Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Facilitators + Guests: J. Otis Powell!, Rafael Casal (Bay  Area), Khary Jackson (6 is 9), Chantz Erolin, Tou Saiko Lee, E.G. Bailey, Sha Cage, Danez Smith, Brittany Delaney + more

WRITE ON! Final Showcase & Anniversary Benefit:
June 12th · 6:00 – 8:00pm · $10
Rarig Center · Rarig Thrust Theater
(ASL interpreted for the deaf + hearing impaired)

WHAT TO EXPECT: Now in its 4th year, the Institute brings together distinguished hip hop and spoken word practitioners, academics and scholars from the Twin Cities and beyond, alongside artists, students and interested teachers. Highlights include networking, workshops, a performance showcase and open discourse around the practice, integration and possibilities of spoken word poetics and hip hop in classes, research, community work and curriculum.

The MN Spoken Word Association’s E.G.Bailey + Sha Cage have presented similar classes and institutes in other cities and at other universities. They facilitate the institute annually alongside accomplished instructors. The institute has become an annual event that nurtures strategies and discourse on the usage of urban art forms, and gives teachers basic tools and ideas of integrating new ways to engage students. It allows students to go deeper in their interests and make important social justice connections. The MN Spoken Word Association has a 10 year history, and is Minnesota’s premier Spoken Word organization dedicated to urban arts and literacy programming for youth year round.

For more information: www.mnspokenword.com. There is limited space, and registration closes May 14th. Register via email to: mnswa.mail@gmail.com or sha.mnswa@gmail.com.

SATURDAY • MAY 7th 2011
Minneapolis Central Library
300 Nicollet Mall, Downtown Minneapolis, 55401
1:00 – 5:00pm • FREE

Featured performers include: Members of Youth Amplified!, B-Girls + B-Boys, Brit Brat (Voices Merging), Ray Matthews (Fairview Health Ambassadors) and more. Music by TWENTYTHIRTEEN.

Say Word! Youth Poetry Festival is a one day youth spoken word event with sidewalk dance ciphers, a non-competitive open mic, workshops, networking, guest performances and a marathon of slam competitions aimed at crowning the 2011 Say Word! Champions. Slam teams feature Youth ages 13-19. Any youth 19 and under can create a team of 4-6 poets to participate in the festival, whether they are enrolled in school, part of an after school program or just youth in the community. Teams will compete in a series of slams with the four remaining teams competing in the Finals. There is limited space in the workshops; please arrive by Noon to sign up. The community at large is invited to come witness, participate and support the youth. Poetry will be all-age appropriate.

More information at www.mnspokenword.com or email mnswa.mail@gmail.com.

Co-sponsored by Minneapolis Central Library

Poets you only need to come to one: April 23rd or April 27th.

Congrats again on becoming a finalist. YEA!!!

What’s important now is that we connect with you on important information about events, fundraising, Finals, the trip to San Francisco and answer questions you have so everyone is on the right page moving forward. We have two meetings scheduled for you to choose between coming to. One is on a weekday and the other is on a weekend. We will be going over schedule, steps moving forward, expectations, etc. (super important material). Parents & guardians are invited.  Please RSVP to sha.mnswa@gmail.com asap about which you will be at, and we will have your materials folder there. Please take the time to RSVP as well as arrive on time. Look the venues up, via Mapquest, if you are unfamiliar. Email any questions to sha.mnswa@gmail.com. See you soon.

NOTE: DATES HAVE BEEN MOVED BACK to accommodate people’s schedules.

QUEST FOR THE VOICE MIXER & INFORMATIONAL MEETING #1

Option #1
Sat. April 23rd – 11:00-12:30pm
Golden’s Deli  – Downtown St. Paul
Address: 275 East 4th Street, Suite 102, Saint Paul, MN 55101
(just around the corner from the Black Dog Cafe in the historic Northwestern Building
and kitty-corner to the Farmers Market space.
Note: Lots of construction down there.
If you get lost:  651-224-8888.

Option #2
Wed. April 27th – 5:00-6:30pm
Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Downtown Mpls, MN
Room TBA
RSVP via sha.mnswa@gmail.com.

‘These poets are incredible.’ • ‘If semis are this amazing-FINALS are going to be INSANE.’ • ‘These are some of the best ever Quest poets.’

These are all some of the comments from last night’s incredible night of youth poetry. Over 200 people came out to support the youth and to say the least…..the NEXT generation ‘came with it.’ The judges (Mike Lipset, D’Allen White, Saymoukda Vongsay, Bruce Axelrod, and Farrington) had their hands full.

Finals will be held in May 2011 – the exact date and venue to be announced soon. If ever the energy of this series had dipped – gone are the days. There was shouting, roaring laughter, foot stomping, and cheering all night long. We anticipate a sold out house for finals. MNSWA announced changes in the series this year…and from the looks of it…things are hotter than ever.

MNSWA was in the HOUSE! along with VM hosts (Brit Brat and Laurine + DJ Mixwell) keeping the night driving. Thanks to all who made it out for this magic evening.

Congratulations to these 20 Finalists (in no particular order):

Michelle Erdman, Zak Warsame, Kayla Stewart, Hassani Harris, Herbert Abrams, Talia Tepinsky, Antoine Duke, Kevin Yang, John Larkins-Williams, Donte L-Collins, Emily Nuckols, Johanna Olsen, Madelyn Roseen, Aiden Morzenti, bDarius Gray, Alese Robinson, Jonathan David Allie, Matt Carlyon, Damien Mcbrier, Emily Christiansen.
……………………………………………………………………….

These 20 poets have made a commitment to work together in a training intensive, building circles, fundraising, and performances. Fulfilling this commitment qualifies them to continue forward to qualify for the May 7th finals. Finals will have 2 rounds. In Round one all poets will read one poem. Round two will advance the top Twelve poets. The 6 highest scoring poets will represent the MN team at the national Brave New Voices conference July 20-23rd.

In the MNSWA tradition of rotating judges each year and building on the previous year’s relationships with strong mentors – we are excited to welcome 2011 coaches Farrington Starnes and Abdi Phenomenal. Their work with MNSWA over the past 2 years and with nurturing development and mentorship in the Somali community has been impressive and continuous from MNSWA’s first workshop ignited with Bedlam over 3 years ago working specifically & poetically with the Cedar Riverside Somali community. Sha Cage and E.G. Bailey will assist in the leadership and development component of the program this year.
……………………………………………………………………….

Next up is the SAY WORD! one day Youth Poetry Fest: May 7

Teams/groups/crews of poets from across the Twin Cities come together in a half day marathon of poetry, music, workshops, and performances. Held on Saturday May 7th from 12:00-5pm at the Minneapolis Central (Dwtn) Library. Music provided by the band 2013. Youth groups ages 13-19 can participate. Four original (clean) poems are needed from each team. This is a FREE event / fun for the whole family. Winners walk away with the 2011 title + prizes.

Did we hear someone say…YOUTH POETRY IS on FIRE!

MNSWA – Keeping Poetry, Literacy, and youth literacy ALIVE in MN!

Please Join Voices Merging & the MN Spoken Word Association for the
2011 Quest For The Voice
Youth Poetry Slam Semi-Finals!
*An evening of some of the Hottest Youth Poetry on the Scene*

Monday, March 21st 6:30pm

Announcements begin at 6:00pm
(Poets must arrive by 5:30 • Poets check in cut off by 5:50)
Moos Tower Room 2-620
500 Washington Ave SE, Mpls
(Enter at the intersection of Union St SE & Washington Ave SE & go down)
Students $3/Adults $5
Hosted by Voices Merging’s own Laurine Chang & Brit Brat
(the evening typically runs 3 hours)

The MN Spoken Word Association produces this inspiring series now in its 6th year. Youth poets as semi-finalists will represent the state of MN in the Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Festival in San Francisco, CA this July!

*Expect Laughter, Tears, Heavy Applause, and Celebration*
“This program is one of the most beautiful programs for youth across the country. To hear young people tell their stories (some for the first time), is truly life-changing.” M.P.

For more info, email sha.mnswa@gmail.com

2011: Partners: Golden’s Deli, Canvas Teen Center, Perpich Performing Arts School, Washburn High, Cahoots Coffee Shop, South High, Oak Park Community Center, 42nd Avenue Station

BECAUSE THE NEXT GENERATION CAN SPEAK FOR ITSELF!

‘Empowering Youth and Community Through Leadership, Literacy, and Spoken Word’ MN Spoken Word Association

WHAT’s up NEXT: A State-wide One Day Youth Poetry Festival titled SAY WORD! in MAY