MANDiNKA (CLOSE UP) and ONiT! PR present their first collaborative project
A night of live entertainment for the discerning Spoken Word lover!
Imagine, if you will, a selection of the finest lyricists, spoken word artists and story-tellers to come out of the UK...
Imagine a stage, filled with such premier talent, that you don’t know what to do with yourself...
Imagine experiencing such excitement that you gasp, watch in awe, clap, click your fingers, stomp your feet or scream at the top of your lungs, as each headline artist graces the stage...
And finally, imagine that collectively, these 8 pioneering artistes are going to blow your mind with words, rhythm, power and sound...
...this ain’t new... we’re taking you back... back to the early days...
...back to when passion was currency and creativity the motive... when poetry was always powerful, stood for a cause and moved you... when art was love and love was art...
Ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys, fellow creatives and lovers of words, we present to you Leaders of the Old Skool.
Date: Sunday 3rd July 2011 | Time: Doors: 6:30pm | Show: 7:30pm | Music: til midnight
Venue: Plan B, 418 Brixton Road, LONDON SW9 7AY
Tickets: £7 in advance / £10 on the door | In Person from ONiT! PR & MANDiNKA
**Full details to be released on Sunday 12 June – stay tuned!**
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 WordStory-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 201113:00–23:00Hearn Street & Hearn Street Car Park, Shoreditch, London EC2A 3LS
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.
There is so much talent in the UK, in terms of all types of creative arts, but as you know, we specialise in performance poetry and spoken word, so starting today, we thought we'd take a moment to share an artists work with you, every day.
Today's Poem of the Day is by Suli Breaks and it's called 'RIP'. The video is a promo one for an event that took place last year, but feel free to check out Up Shot TV too, they're doing tremendous things for the community both here and abroad.
For information on Suli Breaks, check out the links beneath the video and if you like what you see and hear, get ONiT! and let him know!
Name: Tshaka Campbell Birthplace: South East London Lives: Kent Poetry Debut: Nuyorican Poetry Café in NYC
Q&A
Hot off the press, following on from his interview in The Voice Newspaper (19 April 2010) ONiT! caught up with King of Spoken Word, Tshaka Campbell...
How long have you been performing Spoken Word? Writing since 95 - performing since 2001
Who would you cite as your influences? Ben Okri, Langston Hughes, Claude McKay, Octavia butler, ainsley burrows, Saul Williams, LIFE How would you describe your style as a performance artist? I try to connect with my audience as I ask them to engage in the works as much as I engage in them – listen different… we all have something to say so I want time with them to be fruitful and something they can take away with them….. in a few words Thick, passionate, integrity,
In order to fully love and appreciate the love of another, we know that you must first love yourself. How would you define self-love?Self love is the understanding that we all are beautifully flawed. Once we understand where we have come from we will appreciate who we are collectively and individually and will have no choice but to love ourselves…
What can the audience expect from you at a performance? Fun, integrity, a perfectly crafted melange of language painted on a blank canvas peppered with imagery and a touch of a reincarnated west African griot [laughs] we will just enjoy each others company.
What poem/film/song says 'Love...Sex...Sensuality…' to you? De Angelo "Untitled", Prince’s “Adore” or if “I was your girlfriend” and Donny Hathaway “Love you more than you’ll ever know”
Complete these sentences: Love is...the secret of life. Sex is...best when sweaty and wet. Sensuality is...a feather tip touch of a finger across a throbbing, pulsating... The wiggle back speck of thighs after the thrust of movements in 4/4 time.
What performances/projects do you have coming up?
Raising my daughter :o) New York and CA - May Wales – Oct Working on one man show Working on new digital album
You can hear Tshaka Campbell live on air with D'Nyce on the Soul-D-OutShow, TONIGHT (22 April) on BANG Radio 103.6fmhttp://www.bangradio.fm/ at 19:00 BST
Further info: http://www.naturalkink.com/ http://www.reverbnation.com/tshaka http://www.twitter.com/pappatshak http://www.myspace.com/Tshakaisnaturalkink
Name: Kat Francois Birthplace: At home, on the stairs, before the ambulance made it, Mablethorpe Road, Fulham, London Lives: West London Poetry Debut: Weekend Arts College , when I was really young. First time, very emotional but liberating and wonderful experience. Awards: BBC3 TV Slam (1st person to win a televised Slam) and World Slam Championships 2005, in Rotterdam, head to head against Poets from all over the world.
Q&A
ONiT! is excited to see that you're on the line up for Love…Sex…Sensuality…, the forthcoming celebration of all things sensual. We’d love to hear your answers on the following:
Can you tell us how you got involved in this exciting new show? I was recommended to the organisers, as I host my own show, Word4Word at the Theatre Royal Stratford East.
How long have you been performing Poetry/Spoken Word? I’m going to really show my age now! I believe I am in my 10th year of performing and my sixth year of doing this on a professional basis. Teaching poetry in the day, performing at night, hosting shows, etc, so yeah, six years since I decided to do this full time.
Who would you cite as your influences? People around me, my Mum, my upbringing, my people, my black people, the things that we go through on a daily basis, our struggles, triumphs, our successes, they motivate me. The Colour Purple by Alice Walker, an amazing book, one of the first I read as a youngster, which blew me away. A recent book and film, Precious written by Sapphire, which I watched a long time ago. The young people I work with, who keep me on my toes, who challenge, motivate and inspire me, and make me want to get up in the morning and teach, pass on my inspiration for words. I’m also influenced by how my life has been fulfilled, by poetry, writing books, writing plays and performing, I’m a happier person for it.
How would you describe your style as a Performance Artist? Depends on what mood you get me in! I can be very intense, dealing with some very intense and challenging subjects. I can be comedic, and very funny. I’m a Gemini, I think I very much have a split personality, so it depends when you catch me, what mood I’m in, as to what you’re going to get. But I like to think that I always give high energy performance and give all of myself.
In order to fully love and appreciate the love of another, we know that you must first love yourself. How would you define self-love? Treating yourself good and doing what you have to do for yourself to make sure you can look after everyone else around you. Recognising when you’re in relationships; personal or otherwise, that are negative, or as Oprah likes to say, that are toxic, it’s important to recognise that. Also, do things in your life that make you happy; there are lots of things that I do, but two that I do, just for me. I run, just for me – that’s about no body else. I like to put on my trainers and get out and run.
Just about to do my 2nd marathon, I completed an 18 mile run the other day, it’s really important that I do things that I like. I also ride a little Vespa, but there are a lot of people around me that aren’t too impressed about that, my Mum, my partner, but it’s something that I do just for me, for Kat. I love riding it, especially when the weather is warm, it is just amazing, that speed, being out in the open. I think that’s why I like running too, being out in the open. I love the elements, not too cold, not too much rain. To me, that’s what self-love is, doing things that pleases yourself, that are selfless, not selfish.
What can the audience expect from you on the night? Kat in all her full and utter glory! I will be hosting, holding the night together, and introducing fantastic acts. So they can expect a high energy host, who will keep them entertained, who’s going to make them laugh, but also who is going to open their eyes to a few things!
Is there a particular piece you are looking forward to performing at ‘Love…Sex…Sensuality…’? Yes! I’m not going to give away all of my secrets yet… but I’m working on a very special piece at the moment that I will perform on the evening. Which poem/film/song says 'Love...Sex...Sensuality…' to you? Oh gosh… erm… Love Jones cos it has the poetry in it, so that for me is a love film. Things like Love & Basketball, but I don’t really watch too many soppy films though, I’m not really a romantic, romantic person when it comes to films like that!
Complete these sentences:
Love is... the ability to give of yourself unconditionally, but also the ability take without being too selfish
Sex is... total freedom, abandonment, comfortability, expression of sexuality, without inhibitions, uncomfortableness or self-consciousness.
Sensuality... the right to express yourself, whether it’s through food, music or poetry and show the best of yourself. Whether that’s dressing up in some funky, sexy underwear, massage, feeding your partner with fruit, whatever that is, sensuality is expressing that side of you and not being afraid to do that. Men can be sensual too.
What other performances/projects do you have coming up? A tour called The All Stars with people like Crisis, Kate Tempest and Charlie Dark, which will be touring the country in the coming months. I’ll be at the Latitude Festival this year, also hosting again at the Glastonbury Festival. I’m also working on publishing as a small publishing press, focusing on publishing a few peoples works, as well as my own collection including a collection for young people as well as a second adult collection.
I’m working on securing some funding for my new one woman play ‘Raising Lazarus’ which is a play about West Indian soldiers who came over to fight for England in the First World War. Not forgetting Word4Word, every third Sunday of the month. Building up Intimates, really trying to create an intimate space at the Poetry Café, for poets to come, perform and converse with the audience, because we don’t always get a chance to do that. Really looking to break into the Comedy market during the year or so, I’m really interested in developing that side of my personality. Working more with music too, and take some singing lessons, because I really can’t sing! I’m looking to work with music a little more and put poetry to music.
*Join Kat Francois as she's interviewed by Vanessa Walters on the Colourful Life radio show, this Thursday 1st April at 12:00 noon GMT. Log on via: http://www.colourfulradio.com/ or on DAB Radio*
You can see and hear Kat Francois Host and Perform live, at Love…Sex…Sensuality… on Saturday 24th April.
Tickets: Limited early bird tickets available now at the following outlets, priced £8, £10 thereafter
Online: http://www.accessuktickets.co.uk
Supertone Records (Brixton) 020 7737 7761 | Everbody’s Music (Tottenham) 020 8802 0146 | Maestro Records (Peckham) 020 7635 7299 | Dub Vendor (Clapham) 020 7233 3757 | Hawkeye Records (Harlesden) 020 8961 0866
ONiT! PR is a new Public Relations, Events, Marketing and Management Company.
Established in late 2009, we specialise in providing services to, as well as supporting and representing, the Performance Art, Live Music and Spoken Word/Poetry scene. We offer targeted public relation, promotional and marketing campaigns as well as event booking management services for Performing Artists and Event Organisers/Promoters.
Our Motto
SAYiT. BEiT. DOiT. ONiT!
At ONiT! PR, we believe that everyone has the ability to be all that they desire or dream to be, and beyond. The most successful people in life are go-getters who make conscious movements towards their dreams and desires, hence our motto;
SAYiT.
Don’t be afraid to speak up or speak out about what you want. The first step to obtaining your goals, achievements and desires is to realise what they are and speak about them.
BEiT.
Actively be the person you want and aspire to be. Even if only a little at a time, every action and effort made is a step towards your overall goal or achievement.
DOiT.
Don’t just talk about it – do it! If you follow through with what it is you want to do, your successful achievements will empower you and keep you going.
ONiT!
Saying it, being it and doing it are all steps in the right direction. However, to truly achieve your goals and make your desires reality, enthusiasm, dedication, hard work and tenacity are key, so get ONiT! and make it happen!
Our Aims
ONiT! PR aims to extend opportunities within the performance community and beyond, via our links with some of the most prolific Live Event Promoters in London and the surrounding areas. Our objectives are to enhance the London Live Music and Entertainment Scene, whenever and however we can, thereby pushing UK talent as far as possible and increasing the social calendar of Londoners looking for quality events to attend.
We also aim to offer a cost effective and efficient means of promoting events and artists via our established network of industry contacts, whilst continually building industry links and audience mailing lists.
ONiT! PR work with both Artists and Event Organisers/Promoters across a wide range of genres, including, but not limited to:
If you’re a Performing Artist who would benefit from assistance with sourcing and managing bookings, negotiating booking fees, promoting and marketing yourself as a brand, building your fan base or recording your work in order to elevate yourself to a wider audience, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the team.
Event Organisers/Promoters:
If you’re an Event Organiser/Promoter who would be interested in working in partnership with ONiT! PR to promote and elevate your event to a wider audience, to gain and maintain a greater media presence, or if you require Performing Artists (e.g. Singers, Rappers, Poets/Spoken Word Artists, Comedians, etc) for your events, assistance with managing your event (e.g. Event Assistants, Door Staff, etc.) please do not hesitate to contact a member of the team.
In the meantime, please stay blessed and remember, SAYiT. BEiT. DOiT. ONiT!
ONiT! PR is a Public Relations, Events, Marketing and Management Company.
We specialise in raising the profile of Performance Art, in London and the surrounding areas of the UK, with particular attention to Spoken Word and Performance Poetry, in addition to other genres, such as Song, Rap, Comedy and general Live Entertainment.
Working with Independent Artists and Event Organisers/Promoters alike, we deliver targeted PR, promotional and marketing campaigns, alongside event booking management services and administrative support to individuals, organisations and companies.
With our vast range of contacts within the UK Live Performance arena, ONiT! PR are ideally equipped to assist UK Artist seeking support with securing bookings and fees, Overseas Artists seeking performances in the UK for a planned trip or Event Planners requiring enhanced visibility and increased numbers at events.
So don’t just SAYiT. BEIT. DOiT. Get ONiT!
For full details of our service options, please visit: http://www.onitpr.co.uk
Enquiries: info@onitpr.co.uk | +44 (0)7971 481 956
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