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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.
Performances, workshops, residencies:
sha.mnswa@gmail.com | 612-288-9491
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.
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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!
HSRA student, YAYA, performs at a YSL bout.
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MN SUR SEINE + MNSWA PRESENT UMAR BIN HASSAN + BROTHER ALI
19 October 2006. Fine Line Music Cafe. www.surseine.org for more info.
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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.
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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.
