Word N Sound All-Stars

THE INNAUGURAL WORD N SOUND ALL-STARS SHOW

Hot on the heels of the introduction of three new shows to the ever-expanding roster of Word N Sound events, we take a step back to look at how far we’ve come over the past four years, by handing the stage over to the crop of talent that has taken the Johannesburg poetry landscape by storm since coming to prominence on the Word N Sound stage. It really is gonna be an All-Star weekend.

Word N Sound All-Stars
4 Seasons, more than 25 Episodes and 375 poems later; the Word N Sound Series has left an indelible mark on the Johannesburg, and South African Poetry scene. One of the major highlights of the Series, is the Open Mic Poetry League, which at the end of every episode, leaves one competitor with the coveted title of King/Queen of the Mic.

In all this time, and in the aftermath of all these battles and vying for glory, there have been some faces that have stuck with, and become part of the Word N Sound family. Having taken their craft beyond this stage to engage audiences as far afield as Cardiiff, and as quintessentially South African as Cape-Town, some of the stars of these shows return once again to the Word N Sound Stage to give us all a taste of what enabled them to stay the course.

The inaugural Word N Sound All Stars Show will feature the talents of Afurakan, Andrew Manyika, Mandi Poeffecient Vundla, Xongani Maluleke, Mutle Mothibe, Masai Dabula, Bonga Ndziweni and Mpho Khosi. This is one for the history books, don’t miss it.

Elysium Garcia
From the ethereal realm known as the shadows, the Showcase Act of the day will be the winner of the inaugural “Salm for Your Life” competition. Kagiso Tshepe, who has now adopted the moniker “Elysium Garcia”, was a top competitor in the Open Mic Leauge that ran throughout 2013, even making it to the top 5. This accomplished writer has been on such stages as the Word N Sound Festival, and TEDx Johannesburg.

His poem “Manufacturing Kings” also allowed us a foray into the mind of a poet who also works as a graphical designer. Along with fellow Vaal native Mutle Mothibe, their use of video as a complement to the poetry itself, has begun to open up new possibilities in terms of exploring the two art forms. Elysium Garcia, on the strength of “Manufacturing Kings” was nominated for and won the Word N Sound Perfect Poem Award. So, any show that he headlines is guaranteed to be out of this world.

The show happens on the 5th of April from 13:00 at the Market Theatre Laboratory, tickets are sold at the door for R50.00. See you there.

Information from :http://wordnsound.wordpress.com/