Culture

Slam poets – writers who perform.

Slam poets –wordsmiths who craft powerful verse and breathtaking stories.

Slam poets – spoken word artists who believe words, music and pictures can make a difference.

Slam poets – use voice as art to tackle core issues like gender, identity, inequality, humanity.

Slam Poetry with Philip Wilcox (Aus) + Ian Keteku (Canada) + Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa (Aus) + Arielle Cottingham (USA) + DJ.

There’s something about hearing a poem performed that feels like listening to music: the delivery, pitch, and rhythm are tailored to hit you in a specific way. Whether it’s first love, the worst job, death, social injustice, global peace or gender inequality – the themes are endless but the fact is slam poets use language and voice like no one else.

Spoken Four is a cutting-edge and exciting event that happens at The Joan on Friday 13 October, 7.30pm. It brings together some of the world’s best slam poets, right here in Penrith!

Spoken Four is hosted by Philip Wilcox, multi award-winning poet and Australian Poetry Slam Champion 2015. – and true believer in “the microphone only tells the truth.” He has slammed in major events including Sydney Writers’ Festival, Wollongong Writers’ Festival and Newtown Festival where he performed for a crowd of over 8,000.

Be uplifted by this vital and energetic form of self-expression. Be part of it - not only as literary or performative masterpiece, but also as a political event. Come and listen as these poets reach out to you by relating what they say to how you might have felt but never had the courage to say.

The faces of Spoken Four!

Philip Wilcox

Wilcox is always ready to challenge an audience with his strong mix of humour and political insight, steering distinctly clear of the didactic or prescriptive. He causes people to howl, scream and leap to their feet cheering with thoughts echoing in their heads, like “Wait? Shouldn’t I be upset? He’s actually talking about me?”. Amid all the applause, he always gracefully returns his smoking microphone to its melting stand and burns into our imaginations like a poetic brand.

Ian Keteku

The 2010 World Poetry Slam champion, two-time Canadian slam champ, poet, author, artist and musician Ian Keteku headlines Spoken Four. Keteku has showcased his poetry and art all over the world and shared stages with some of the biggest names in music and literature. He uses his voice to inspire messages of peace, action and critical thought. His poetry is an articulation of a generation’s heartbeat.

Can art really bring about positive social change, help break down barriers, and raise awareness about local and global issues? Ian Keteku sure thinks so.

Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa

Melbourne-based Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa is a spoken word artist, workshop facilitator, actor, producer, MC and human rights reformer. Born and brought up in Perth, Khalsa is a first-generation Sikh storyteller of raw honesty who won the hearts of Australia when she appeared on Australia’s Got Talent with her poetry slam tackling core social issues like gender inequality, identity crisis and feminism.

Arielle Cottingham

Arielle Cottingham is a poet and performance artist out of coastal Texas, now based in Melbourne and current Australian Poetry Slam Champion. Behind the mic her poetry ranges from raw vulnerability to provocative politics, exploring how the personal influences the public, and vice versa. In addition to writing and performing, Cottingham is one of the creative producers for Slamalamadingdong.

Venue: The Joan Friday 13 October at 7.30pm.

For more information and to book your tickets call box office 4723 7600 or visit: http://thejoan.com.au/whats-on/spoken-four-2/

Featured Image: Ian Keteku, 2010 World Poetry Slam champion, two-time Canadian slam champ, poet, author, artist and musician.

Slider Image: Arielle Cottingham, current Australian Poetry Slam Champion and one of the creative producers of Slamalamadingdong.