Poetry festivals in Joburg and Cape Town

"As always, the Southern African Arts Exchange has scouted far and wide, both locally and internationally, searching for the best most talented, and relevant poets and artists for South African audiences," said Roshnie Moonsammy, executive director and founder of Urban Voices and its mother body the Southern African Arts Exchange (SAAE).

This years' festival poetry and theatre festival will feature international award-winning artists from hip hop theatre and performance poetry eclectically influenced from Asia, the US, Puerto Rico, and South Africa. "Urban Voices 2010 continues with our programmes of mutual learning with Africans in the diaspora talking with artists and people in South Africa. This is particularly important as we consolidate some of the gains of global events, such as the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and others that present opportunities for people to connect, to enjoy and work together to build solidarity through culture and the arts for a just world, a vibrant and democratic Africa with informed citizens," Moonsammy said.

International hip hop theatre

Lemon Andersen in County of Kings, produced by Spike Lee.
County of Kings is set during one of the most influential cultural movement of our time: the birth of hip hop. County of Kings was written and performed by Brooklyn-born Puerto Rican poet Lemon Andersen, who gives a tough and moving biographical account of a good kid growing up in an unforgiving environment. Mixing difficult drama and occasional humor with his own brand of urban poetry, Andersen uses his unique perspective and talent to bring his true, own coming-of-age story to life.

Performances of County of Kings

16 October: Market Theatre Lab, 3 President Street, Joburg. 3pm.
21 and 22 October: Market Theatre Lab, 3 President Street, Joburg. 8pm.
28 October: Baxter Theatre, Cape Town. 8pm.
Poetry Festival
Saturday, 23 October: Bassline, Newtown, Joburg. 8pm.
Wednesday, 27 October: Baxter Theatre, Rondebosch, Cape Town. 8pm.

Urban Voice Poetry Festival once again features performers who are entertaining, inspiring and original from South African and overseas. From New York, African-American Patricia Smith is an established writer, performer and academic who has received several international literary awards including being a finalist for the 2008 National Book Award. Smith is the author of ?ve poetry volumes and several other books and is also a four-time individual champion on the National Poetry Slam.

Tony award-winning poets featured include Lemon Andersen, as well as Asian-American poet Beau Sia, who will poetically engage on issues that affect the personal and the social landscape.

South African performers will include: Lisa Combrinck, Natalia Molebatsi, MC Likwidskillz and various others on the Joburg and Cape Town stage.

Website: www.urbanvoices.co.za
Facebook Group: Urban Voices Festival
Email: az.oc.egnahcxestra@ofni
Bookings: Computicket/the door.