Day poetry spoke on Goethe stage
By FEMI SALAWU
DAILY SUN, Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Despite the huge number of acclaimed poets in Nigeria, performance poetry as an artform is a less patronized genre. But a recent move to revive this art was demonstrated at an event tagged Word Slam, held at Goethe Institut, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Kindred spirits and lovers of the art including Amb. Segun Olusola, Odia Ofeimun and Arne Schneider defied the downpour that initially threatened what the organizers called A Feast of Poetic Flights. The evening featured poetic presentations with dance and musical accompaniment from artistes including Ropo Ewenla, Jojo Body Beats, Akeem Lasisi, Sage Has.Son, Muri Amulegboja, Iquo Eke, Edaoto, Awoko, Jumoke Verissimo, Dagga Tolar and Conerstone.
The choice of Ropo Ewenla, a respected poet as compere was not a mere coincidence as he often spiced the evening with Ijala, Yoruba traditional hunters’ chant.
The highpoint of the event was the performance by Sage Has.Son. The Kaduna- born artiste who has been a promoter of performance poetry thrilled the audience with presentations such as Rage of the Sage and Who Am I. Has.Son poetry well plotted rhyme schemes which provoked audience participation at intervals and ultimately earned him the highest ovation of the evening.
African culture also came into play in Correct Pricing, a presentation by award-winning poet, performer and journalist, Akeem Lasisi of the Iremoje fame. The satirical piece presented in Ijala and spiced with English language lamented the incessant fuel hike in the country.
Speaking on the purpose of the event, Jahman Anikulapo, representative of The Culture Advocate Caucus (CAC), organizers of the event explained, “we are in a kind of environment where written poetry is very popular. But what we are trying to do with this event which we intend to hold quarterly is to make the public appreciate performance poetry as a serious art.”
“What many don’t know is that a lot of what goes on in hip hop, rap and contemporary music generally is rooted in poetry. But those musicians would be the last to agree with the fact,” Anikulapo added.
While commending the organizers of the event, leading poet, Odia Ofeimun noted that although the art is yet to gain prominence in Nigeria, the event, according to him would impact positively on the development of poetry on the art scene.
In his comments, Sage Has.Son, one of the artistes said, “There are only a few fora where poets like me can express themselves but I am glad that with Jahman Anikulapo joining the fray, the much expected awareness which the art of performance poetry deserves will come gradually.”
DAILY SUN, Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Despite the huge number of acclaimed poets in Nigeria, performance poetry as an artform is a less patronized genre. But a recent move to revive this art was demonstrated at an event tagged Word Slam, held at Goethe Institut, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Kindred spirits and lovers of the art including Amb. Segun Olusola, Odia Ofeimun and Arne Schneider defied the downpour that initially threatened what the organizers called A Feast of Poetic Flights. The evening featured poetic presentations with dance and musical accompaniment from artistes including Ropo Ewenla, Jojo Body Beats, Akeem Lasisi, Sage Has.Son, Muri Amulegboja, Iquo Eke, Edaoto, Awoko, Jumoke Verissimo, Dagga Tolar and Conerstone.
The choice of Ropo Ewenla, a respected poet as compere was not a mere coincidence as he often spiced the evening with Ijala, Yoruba traditional hunters’ chant.
The highpoint of the event was the performance by Sage Has.Son. The Kaduna- born artiste who has been a promoter of performance poetry thrilled the audience with presentations such as Rage of the Sage and Who Am I. Has.Son poetry well plotted rhyme schemes which provoked audience participation at intervals and ultimately earned him the highest ovation of the evening.
African culture also came into play in Correct Pricing, a presentation by award-winning poet, performer and journalist, Akeem Lasisi of the Iremoje fame. The satirical piece presented in Ijala and spiced with English language lamented the incessant fuel hike in the country.
Speaking on the purpose of the event, Jahman Anikulapo, representative of The Culture Advocate Caucus (CAC), organizers of the event explained, “we are in a kind of environment where written poetry is very popular. But what we are trying to do with this event which we intend to hold quarterly is to make the public appreciate performance poetry as a serious art.”
“What many don’t know is that a lot of what goes on in hip hop, rap and contemporary music generally is rooted in poetry. But those musicians would be the last to agree with the fact,” Anikulapo added.
While commending the organizers of the event, leading poet, Odia Ofeimun noted that although the art is yet to gain prominence in Nigeria, the event, according to him would impact positively on the development of poetry on the art scene.
In his comments, Sage Has.Son, one of the artistes said, “There are only a few fora where poets like me can express themselves but I am glad that with Jahman Anikulapo joining the fray, the much expected awareness which the art of performance poetry deserves will come gradually.”
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