Tonight: Activism & Feminism in Spoken Word Poetry

Spoken word poetry has become, and is traditionally based on, activism. It's a tool utilized mostly by younger generations to express their opinions and tell their own stories. Spoken word is the poetry of people who have been repressed in some way; it has been an important aspect of the feminist, anti-war and anti-discrimination movements (among many others).



Tonight we'll feature works and stories from some amazing men and women of Spoken Word. Below are some links and videos to works and interviews from some of the artists that we'll be discussing on the show tonight:



Sonya Renee - What Women Deserve



Alix Olson - Cunt Cuntry



Lauren Zuniga - Girl:Exploded





Sunni Patterson - We Made It





AlJazeera's One on One : Suheir Hammad

A wonderful feminist spoken word piece

Lauren Zuniga performs a poem for the Oklahoma legislators that are trying so hard to take away women's reproductive rights. The bill in question will require women to receive an ultrasound and listen to the baby's heartbeat before an abortion.







Thanks to Lemon of Choice for telling me about this video!

Feminist Recommendations for the Calgary Spoken Word Festival

Calgary’s Spoken Word Festival is on right now! And there are at least three events that seem very woman-related and of interest to feminists. Check them out! (The best part is they’re all $10 or less!)



Gutsy Gals Do Lunch

Join two edgy gals and do lunch the way lunch should be done. This event will feed your mind and satiate your senses – and may we add, cultivate your inner wild-child.

Wednesday, April 21

Cathedral Church: Corner of 7th Ave & 1st Street SE

Noon

Free



Unveiling the Breath

Listening to the voices of Muslim men & women who have experienced an Islamic country will diffuse the myths, and create breathing space for myths and misconceptions to be over-written by truth, transparency and common understanding.

Saturday, April 24

Big Secret Theatre, Epcor Centre

2:00 pm

$5 plus GST



Story Circle Woman Song

Each year we gather to celebrate the strong voices of dynamic women of diverse cultures and ages! Good Goddess: Listen to the earth! Amplified!

Sunday, April 25

Big Secret Theatre, Epcor Centre

1:00 pm

$10 plus GST

Tonight: Black Histroy Month on YWSS -The Past, Present and Future of Black Hair

It's Black History Month and we are celebrating it with a special presentation on tonight's episode. Yeah, What She Said teamed up with Ellipsis Tree Theatre Collective member and fellow CJSW personality/co-host of Breaking Techniques, Monice Peter, to bring you a fascinating look into the past present and future of Black Hair

We review Chris Rock's Good Hair while exploring black "hair culture" and how black women identify with one another through their experiences with their hair.

Here it tonight at 8:30pm (MST) on CJSW 90.9 FM or stream it live from cjsw.com. Remember you can now subscribe to the Yeah, What She Said Podcast via iTunes!

Tonight's Show : Poetic Musings with Anushka

Tonight, Geea and I will sit down with Calgary ex-pat/poet/feminist friend and SLAM! Poetry finalist, Anushka. She's back in the CGY just until the end of summer and she's been kind enough to make an appearance on Yeah, What She Said before she flees back to Victoria. We'll ponder all things creative, chatting about life, feminism, the globe, the art of poetry, and most importantly, we'll delve into some live rhymes from Anushka herself.

It will be a cozy little get together and a wonderful way to wind down on a Monday night. Join us at 8:30 PM (MST) on CJSW 90.9 FM and stream it online at http://www.cjsw.com/

Young Men Give Props to Women

This is a beautiful and touching "Slam Poem" that gave me chills. These young men were National Youth Poetry Slam finalists in 2005 with this piece.

My favourite line? "If you don't believe in abortion, don't get one, you asshole. And don't you ever call my women murderers for wanting control over their bodies. Besides, our current welfare system couldn't feed a family for a weekend."

Props to these talented, intelligent young men.

Story Circle Woman Song at the Spoken Word Fest

The Calgary International Spoken Word Festival is coming soon! I was just checking out the events listing and found one that looks awesome for all those Calgary feminists out there!

Story Circle Woman Song is a celebration of the dynamic voices of women of all cultures and ages. It is presented in part by our friends at Sexual Health Access Alberta, and it features some amazing women including Vancouver's favorite feminist indie darling, Kinnie Starr!

Event Details:
Sunday, April 05, 2009 – 11:00 AM – $10
Central Library – John Dutton Theatre – 616 Macleod Trail SE
Visit the website for more information.