Executive Director - e.g. bailey
Artistic Director - Sha Cage
Youth Programs Associate - Moira Pirsch
Youth Liberation Poets Ensemble (Youth organizing board)
We work with various Spoken Word artists in Minnesota, nationally and internationally.
To join our artist database or learn about teaching/mentor opportunities email mnswa.mail@gmail.com
Influences
The Last Poets. Amiri Baraka. J. Otis Powell! June Jordan. Nikki Giovanni. Allen Ginsberg. Carl Hancock Rux. Ursula Rucker. Saul Williams. Sonia Sanchez. The Beats. Mark Smith. Bob Holman. Sekou Sundiata. Jessica Care Moore. Kalamu Ya Salaam. Ancestor Energy. David Mura. Alex Pate. Etheridge Knight. Carolyn Holbrook.
Sounds Like
See above.
Type of Label
Major
MNSWA: QUEST FOR THE VOICE FINALS @ Ritz - Tonite's Latest Blog Entry
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Welcome to the MN Spoken Word Association, a spoken word organization created to foster and support the spoken word community in Minnesota. The MN Spoken Word Association (MNSWA), co-founded by e.g. bailey, Shá Cage and Leah Nelson, and spearheaded by many of the leading spoken word artists in Minnesota, came together to develop the first ever spoken word conference, Singers of Daybreak, a two day dialogue on the art, craft, history and significance of the spoken word movement.
The vision of the MN Spoken Word Association, is to inform and help to develop the art form of spoken word in Minnesota, and to bring the spoken word community into a stronger alliance (locally and nationally) while serving as a primary, innovative presenter and resource center, to enhance the understanding and spread the reach of the art form. The mission is to impact literacy, youth leadership, and social awareness through the urban arts.
Through our endeavors, we hope to continue to develop the spoken word community and help evolve the art form, not only in Minnesota, but also in other parts of the country and the world. And will help to bring attention to this vital art form and community.
The Minnesota Spoken Word Association is one of the premier spoken word organizations in the country. Founded by spoken word artists to serve as a resource and service organization for the spoken word community in MN, and beyond, it has worked to help build the spoken word community and to elevate the art form through its mission, programming, and education programs on the tradition. It has developed the Singers of Daybreak spoken word conference for 2 years; the Urban Griots radio show which fuses spoken word, hip hop and conscious music; along with numerous open mics, projects and collaborations. It has worked with or featured such artists as The Last Poets, Carl Hancock Rux, Jessica Care Moore, Miguel Algarin, J. Otis Powell!, Mike Ladd, Ursula Rucker, Truthmaze, i was born with 2 tongues, Bao Phi, Zell Miller III, Slug (Atmosphere), Desdamona, Talaam Acey, e.g. bailey, The Poet Tree, Toki Wright (The C.O.R.E.), Queen Sheba, Shá Cage, Slam MN, Edupoetic Enterbrainment, David Mura, Eyedea and Abilities, Sister Mimi, the National Poetry Slam and many more.
Some of our current and past programs and projects include the Urban Griots radio show (KMOJ 89.9 Saturdays 10pm), the People's Open Mic ('02-'06), the Say Word! Youth Slam League, RYOT (Revolutionary Youth of Today) youth entity and its G.O.T. Mic? youth open mic series, the Youth Liberation Poets (YLP), def poetics Quest For the Voice youth slam series to take youth from Minnesota to the Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam Festival, The annual summer Spoken Word and Hip Hop Institute, Write On school residencies (8yrs). We also conduct workshops, travel, residencies, projects and collaborations.
Our office is a loft studio located in Northeast Minneapolis. We keep posted office
hours Mon-Friday year around with limited time in office summers, September, and December which are dedicated to travel, outreach, and community projects.
1224 Quincy Street. Suite 140, Minneapolis, MN 55413
MNSWA Newsletter: newsletter@mnspokenword.org
or mnswa.mail@gmail.com to Join our newsletter and stay connected with spoken word and hip hop events happening in the Twin Cities, the Midwest, and the spoken word community, national and international. It is one of the most respected spoken word + hip hop newsletters in the country.
VIDEOS FROM YOUTH SLAM LEAGUE BOUTS! Check out the amazing work by these young poets that participated in the 2006 Youth Slam League season. For more videos you can check out the Youth Slam League myspace page below. Or link to MNSWA's WORDtube channel. More videos to come. Thanks to Mandy P (of HSRA) for shooting the YSL videos. Big ups!
THE SHELTERING HOME CHRONICLES:
CELEBRATING 87 YEARS OF CHILD SHELTERING IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS - PHOTOS + POETRY. Created by residents, Wing Young Huie + MNSWA. Runs through November 10 at Homewood Studios. 2400 Plymouth Avenue, Minneapolis, MN.
MNSWA YOUTH PARTICIPATE IN 'PASSING THE MIC' SERIES in Madison, WI. Tish Jones, Pyro + Brittany Delaney represented Minnesota. Big up to Heiruspecs rocking the house on closing night. Kevin Coval, Mayda del Valle, Linton Kwesi, Dasha Kelly + so much more.
MNSWA: QUEST FOR THE VOICE FINALS @ Ritz - Tonite's Friend Space (Top 37)
MNSWA: QUEST FOR THE VOICE FINALS @ Ritz - Tonite has 1267 friends.
check out www.myspace/machouseenterprises and www.machouse.webs.com for info, videos, pics. Also, tune into Diamond Mind Radio Every Monday 4pm-6pm. Just call 917-803-4197 to listen from your phone. Hosted by yours truly Rodney "October" Dixon. Thanks and Blessings!
Get your copy of ARC AND HUE at Willow Books Poetry and Aquarius Press online at 20% off before 9/1/09. Available on Amazon soon.
ARC AND HUE will be available at the NYC book party on Sunday, Sept. 20, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Bowery Poetry Club, 308 Bowery, New York, NY 10012. Between Houston & Bleecker, near the F & 6 trains.
ARC AND HUE will also be available at the Chicago book parties: 10/1, 8:30 p.m. Katerina’s, 1920 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL 60613 10/2, 8 p.m. The Silver Room, 1442 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60642
ARC AND HUE will be available at the Aquarius Press 10th anniversary celebration on 10/3/09, 6-9 p.m. at Fellowship Chapel, 7707 W. Outer Drive, Detroit, MI.
ARC AND HUE will hit stores soon. Pre-order your copy for 20% off before 9/1/09. http://lnk.ms/007ZN Look out for the NYC and Chicago release parties in September & October! There will also be a book of lesson plans based on the book. Educators, look out!
June Issue of Undagroundz Magazine Available Now ! Check it out on our myspace page or @ www.undagroundz.com
Hey MNSWA: QUEST FOR THE VOICE FINALS @ Ritz - Tonite , How have you been. We are still on the grind trying to Help Indie Hip Hop artist get there shine. if you get a sec. check out the June issue of the magazine . you can veiw it on our myspace page or @ www.undagroundz.com
Follow Us ON TWITTER www.twitter.com/undagroundz
If you know any Independent Hip Hop Artist Looking for Exposure tell them to contact us.
special promotion ! Half off Full Page Ads. This Week Only ! 4 Info goto http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=97117344&blogId=492307910
May Issue of Undagroundz Magazine Available Now ! Check it out on our myspace page or @ www.undagroundz.com
Hey MNSWA: QUEST FOR THE VOICE FINALS @ Ritz - Tonite , How have you been. We are still on the grind trying to Help Indie Hip Hop artist get there shine. if you get a sec. check out the may issue of the magazine . you can veiw it on our myspace page or @ www.undagroundz.com
Follow Us ON TWITTER www.twitter.com/undagroundz
If you know any Independent Hip Hop Artist Looking for free Exposure tell them to contact us.
This is from Maturation by J. Otis Powell! I once thought of you as water Constantly flowing on your way to Some wet function; salt water, a composted organism. Then I reckoned you as air – free and meandering. I’ve yet to see you rooted anywhere Your roots reach upside down for sky And particles of cosmic funk You are acrylic music making your way Without drying – dancing your story without ink. You often phone from within the wind To tell me you’re blowing in it, and me; I rest between your verbs and gypsy paragraphs Waiting for my cue - I gasp, before sucking whatever is available Exploiting a sense of urgency like time's running On a clock with only a second hand And daily issues run too, like Out Like rhythm. ~J.OP!~
Hey Luv! Poetic Flows (Open Mic)is the place where every Poet/Spoken Word Artist, Rapper,Singer should be Friday nights at 10pm - 12pm cst. You can go to our page to listen to the show and the hot ass after party, read the reviews,and so much more! So come kick it with us @ www.blogtalkradio.com/poetic-flows See U Fri.....
<br />Much Love Poetic Flows.
<br />
heyy! i just wanted to come by and say "thank you" for just being our friend. come by and say "hi" whenever you can!
thanks again, and take care. -chris, give em war!
ps. if you're anywhere close to brainerd, minnesota-- if not, disregard this whole part... i failed social studies in high school like four times. XD-- come to the medium on march 14 and see us, hollow face and cuddle cult all support in pursuit of tomorrow and the release of their new ep (cd)! it's only $5 (you could also come if you don't mind driving a while, own a private airline, or enjoy power-walking!!!!) :D
Do you remember the "Golden Age" of hip hop? Alicia Leafgreen from Minneapolis Minnesota does, and she is taking it back to the roots of hip hop, retro style. As an old school influenced hip hop emcee she has gathered followers with her "old school-new style" hip hop, and retro linguistic flow. Her style is reminiscent of the golden days of the hip hop era, influenced by both East and West coast styles. Alicia sounds like an emcee rocketed forward in time from 1992 and tactfully preserved.
After recently rocking a sold out stage for Hip Hop against Homophobia at the Nomad and opening for national lesbian hip hop duo YO! Majesty, Minneapolis based emcee Alicia Leafgreen announces the release of her new EP titled "The White Lesbian Rapper EP".
The five song EP with bonus track is currently available for purchase at Twin Cities and San Francisco retail locations and online via Alicia's Myspace page.
CD Release Party Event March 7th, 2009 DinkyTowner Café 412 1/2 14th Ave, Minneapolis MN 55414 Doors at 9pm, 18+ event
Hosted by Tish Jones Performers include: Alicia Leafgreen with DJ Ajent Orange, Katana, Izzy Dunfore, Tori Fixx, and Autumn Compton and the Most Wanted.
Event Sponsored by Rigged Outfitters, Culturebully.com , and Urban Lights Music
Seeking musicians (ages 14 – 18) to score films inspired by Andy Warhol. Selected musicians will work with young filmmakers to compose new original works to be performed live during the screening of the film. To enter, please submit your music sample to teenprograms@walkerart.org by Friday, December 12. Call 612.375.7628 for more info.
Seeking musicians (ages 14 – 18) to score films inspired by Andy Warhol. Selected musicians will work with young filmmakers to compose new original works to be performed live during the screening of the film. To enter, please submit your music sample to teenprograms@walkerart.org by Friday, December 12. Call 612.375.7628 for more info.
Check out my Latest Poetry Blog "Pretty Lady" and tune in to my poetry reading on Sunday, Have a Great Weekend my friend Benitez aka BRM www.Blogtalkradio.com/BRM August 31st 6 pm CST"
