EVENT: Leaders of the Old Skool

MANDiNKA and ONiT! PR present Leaders of the Old Skool Beyond 2000, A Return to the UK's Roots Sunday 3rd July 2011 Plan B, Brixton | 6:30pm Every scene has its originators and Spoken Word is no different. New and emerging artists constantly sprout from a genre which some believe to be just a few years old, but look beneath the surface, and you'll find an array of poets, lyricists, spoken word artists and story-tellers who've set the scene and paved the way for generations to come... ...meet the Leaders of the Old Skool 7 of the UK's Pioneering artists who've carved and moulded a sub-culture of entertainment that speaks to generations Compere Kat Francois Guests Best Kept Secret [AmeN NoiR | OneNess | ShaKaRa | TuggS.t.a.r] Beyonder David J the Pugilist Inua Ellams Tshaka Campbell Zena Edwards Prepare yourself for greatness as these trailblazers remind you of where spoken word came from, introduce you to how far it's reached and show you why its possibilities are endless. Leaders of the Old Skool Sunday 3rd July 2011 Doors: 6:30pm Show: 7:30pm Music til 11pm Plan B, 418 Brixton Road, LONDON SW9 7AY Tickets: £7 in advance / £10 on the door MANDiNKA: 07873 813 466 / ONiT! PR: 07971 481 956 Get your ticket sharpish, this show will be a roadblock!

FEATURE & COMPETITION: StreetFest 2011

Imagine a kaleidoscope of disciplines consisting of art, creativity, pure skill and talent, channelled into one space; sounds good doesn’t it? StreetFest, London’s number one Live Art Street Festival, returns to Shoreditch this bank holiday weekend.

Hearn Street Car Park in London’s East End, will host the niche festivals biggest event to date; with 10 hours of jaw dropping interactive entertainment planned, the live showcase is set to spoil you with, art, music, dance, film, skate, in-line skate, BMX, food, drink and a street market.

This years festival, which will include a live P.A from Wretch 32, has a surprising added bonus; a Spoken Word Story-Telling stage. The new platform, produced by Music Is Remedy, will feature stellar artists including G.R.E.Ed.S, Inua Ellams, Phresh Mentality, Shakka, XO Man and Dean Atta, to name just a few. Those familiar with the inspirational works of these artists will agree that you’re in for more than a treat.

ONiT! PR caught up with Music Is Remedy’s Daniel Braithwaite, to find out what he thinks spoken word will add to the festival. “Its [spoken word] being recognized as a very strong art form. Streetfest is known for being a diverse festival, there’s very much going on, and for them to say that spoken word is as respected as the other art forms, it’s definitely adding a very strong element of art to the event.”

Braithwaite, co-founder of staple event, Writers Block, which has been running successfully for three years, believes the London spoken word scene is evolving and capturing new audiences. “There’s a YOTP (year of the poet) sort of mantra; a lot of Poets are saying it’s their time now, that it’s time to step up and do something. It’s definitely diversifying itself.”

Streetfest, especially with the addition of a spoken word element, is set to be an artistic, creative, fun-filled, action-packed day for all ages. So, whether you’re into the thought-provoking sounds of spoken word, rhythmic dance to get you to your feet, or the fast paced adrenaline rush of extreme BMXing, there’ll be something to get everyone’s heart racing, foot-tapping and mind ticking.

Words: Cassandra Genevieve Clark

Streetfest 2011 takes place on Sunday 29 May 2011 13:00–23:00 Hearn Street & Hearn Street Car Park, Shoreditch, London EC2A 3LS

Tickets: £10 Available from TicketWeb: http://tinyurl.com/3gnjcrz
Further Information: StreetFest Website

**WIN**

Win tickets to StreetFest 2011 by answering the following question:

Q: StreetFest brings together Creatives of various artforms, name three.

Email your answer to: info@onitpr.co.uk The first correct answer to be received (including full name & contact number) will receive free entry for 2 at the festival. Competition closes at 12:00 BST on Saturday 28 May 2011.

POEM of the DAY: Of all the boys of Plateau Private School | Inua Ellams

Today's 'Poem of the Day, is 'Of all the boys of Plateau Private School' by Inua Ellams, followed by an interview with Kayo Chingony.

For information on Inua Ellams, check out the link(s) beneath the video and if you like what you see and hear, get ONiT! and let her know!

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