SPONSORS

A L E W Aa P . O . E . T . S e v e n t

2/10/2011

AL

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A L E W ATHE REBIRTH OF SPOKEN WORD BLACK & WHITE EDITION

ConceptAlewa is the Ghanaian word for a locally homemade candy. It is very colourful and the makers are creative enough to blend the colours and the ingredients in a way that makes it attractive and sweet, so is Spoken Word Poetry, where words are blended to paint an attractive picture that the observer, reader, or listener appreciates. The “Alewa” has been acronymously coined by the organisers of this show, which means and as well describes the artistes performing on the show: Art Lovers, Entertianers, and Wordsmiths in Action. ALEWA is proudly Ghanaian

A L E W Aa P . O . E . T . S e v e n t

2/10/2011

AL

EW

A

A L E W ATHE REBIRTH OF SPOKEN WORD BLACK & WHITE EDITION

Copyright © 2012 P.O.E.T.SAll rights reserved. This book or any portion thereofmay not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoeverwithout the express written permission of the publisherexcept for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

All pictures by GERARD NARTEY PHOTOGRAPHAll reviews by LIMELIGHTGHANA.COMDesigned by RHYMESONNY

E33 Manet Court, DTD East Airport, ACCRA- GHANA

+233246419861+233207568620

ISBN 0-9000000-0-0237

www.facebook.com/alewawww.twitter.com/poequalthoughtswww.facebook.com/groups/peopleofequalthoughtswww.peopleofequalthoughts.com

Mission Statement

To promote poetry in the Ghanaian Society and the world, creating an environment where poets and poetry lovers can write, share and perform their work, through shows, formation of poetry clubs, nurturing of talent and engaging the various generations through the evolution of poetry.

Slogan: We are not creating forever but forever creating

People Of Equal Thoughts & Spirit

OFFICIAL ALEWA LOGO 1Designed by Rhymesonny/ Stone

SWEETIES LOUNGEoff the Spintex Road. flower pot junctionnear Lister Hospital

VENUE

MUTOMBO DA POET O’ZIONN

M.O.I RHYMESONNY KYEKYEKU POETRA

PERFORMERS

MISS NDABI

KWAME WRITE YOM POET NFOJOH SELIKEM NANATSITO

MIZ AKWELE DK OSEI YAW MONALISA

PERFORMERS

ALBA KONADU SUMPRIM

ALBA KUNADU SUMPRIM

Alba has been writing for as long as she can remember and regularly flips through, with a wry smile, the stacks of notebooks that contain what can only be described as the melodrama of her teenage years.

She graduated from Escuela International de Cine y Television (EICTV), the Cuban film school, as an Editor and worked on several short and independent film projects in Cuba and London before moving back to Ghana, where she now earns her living writing screenplays, television programs, producing and directing television commercials.

She has been on the writing and editing team of the BBC WORLD SERVICES TRUST Radio drama, ‘Story Story, Voices from the Market,’ for over six years. She was a writer and director for the BBC WST television drama, entitled, 'Wetin Dey!'Her successful weekly social commentary column – The Imported Ghanaian – has been running for ten years in The Daily Dispatch newspaper, Accra.

She lives in Accra, where she is regularly accused of being a citizen of other countries but her own country

ALEWA GUEST AUTHOR

MARISKA ABA TAYLOR

MARISKA ABA TAYLOR

An African woman who is extremely proud of her heritage and culture and proud to be able to share her views, love, feelings and hates through the power of words

Author of "The Secret to Detoxifyiing Your Life and Love", "Rhythms of Poetry in Motion" and " A Widow must not Speak"

Have also had works published in various magazines and sites including: Jambo (East African Magazine published in London)2004One Ghana One Voice.ComAkoben Magazine 2004

Had readings @Find your voice Spitalfields, E. London 2005Bless the Mic ,Osu, Accra 2008/2009Citi FM - African Writers ProjectYfm - Young PossibilitiesGoethe Institute andInterviews with The One Show on Viasat 1

find her on youtube and watch her perform...

ALEWA GUEST POET

He is spectacular, good with vernacular

Blessed with a gift from above with a spatula

Recipe, it’s up to ya, request it and he’ll back you up

He is blessed with lines that make lyrics wear make

up to match him up

Nice guy, nice flow

Tried out for an afro

Hair line receded now , he’s back to being bald so

Solar now connected

Never silly like a bad joke, hope he have for Africa

He’s really just spectacular

He is down with the Alewa fever

And has promise to deliver

He weave words into fabric like the kente weaver

If poetry is a truck, then Paul is the gear lever

A free stylist, a poet and DJ/MC extraordinaire

There is no questions about his flair

His style is he and his talent is rare

He's promise to thrill all ALEWA fans...and asking

you to be there...

THE HOST

The main thing that is not directly affected by global economic hardships or social turmoil is inborn intellect or talent in the form of creative arts and when brandished well, in our own way we could affect the society we live in.

WANNABEI wanna work in your farmAnd make sure your crops suffer no harmI wanna be grabbed by your charmsAnd spend the rest of my years in your arms

I wanna be the mails you will be sendingAnd make sure I deliver all the ones pendingI wanna be the currency you will be spendingAnd make sure I erased all your financial burden

I wanna be the one to give you that warm embraceAnd be responsible every morning to lock up your necklaceI wanna built a golden street for you in a heavenly placeAnd make sure mortals don't cover that space

I wanna be the only book on your shelfAnd be the words you will use to describe yourselfI wanna be the number you will dialing And the only person you will be calling

I wanna be the bed on which you will be sleepingAnd make sure at the end of the ninth month, you will be weeping

I wanna be your tattooAnd forever be part of youBut I don't wanna reply mailsAsking me to explain what happened between me and my friends especially the females

© RHYMESONNY

Alewa is a name of a locally made toffee similar to Brighton rock.Also resembles "gob stopper" sweets which are pepperminty and large. The base color is white and the rainbow of colors striped around it. It leaves your tongue and lips brightly colored and licking of lips continues for a long time as the taste lingers on and on. So P.O.E.T.S. chose this name for the movements program....Appropriate don’t you think - Tasty, multicolored, words linger on, and you cant just get enough of it. ALEWA!-- © MARISKA

Writer, poet and motivational speaker Mariska Taylor Darko who was the guest artiste at the maiden event of ALEWA (The rebirth of spoken word poetry in Ghana) revealed the secret to joy to an expectant audience amidst cheers and claps.

According to Mariska, the secret to joy which has been long sought after by many is “forgiveness, being loving, not carrying your burdens to the next day, and giving all to God.” The guest artiste who also thrilled the audience with her poems, reflected on her past experiences which she said “has shaped me into who I am” so she constantly wants to give back to society.

Mariska, who has been featured on several shows and events both within and outside the country stressed on the need for proper utilization of time and resources and advised the youth to focus on positive things which will help mould them into better citizens.

MARISKA TAYLOR DARKO: “I HAVE FOUND THE SECRET TO JOY”

MARISKA ABA TAYLOR

Always on my mind is alewaBe it in school reading Kofi and AminaOr in the sand playingPilolo or pampanaa

aLewaLike a live ammunitionWaiting to be firedAlways restlessWhen alewa was in sight

alEwaExuding sweet essenceAnd rainbow beautyTempting meCorrupting my innocence

aleWaWaiting to capture my tongueCoat itAnd drug me With its flavor cocktail

alewA An inspiration For my childhood fantasiesA motivationFor my childhood truancies

© DUKE BENSON

ALEWA FREESTYLE

ALBA’S SECOND BOOK “A PLACE OF BEAUTIFUL NONSENSE” BEING REVIEWED ON ALEWA

ALEWA

I'm just a ventriloquist voicing out tensesHence I fess up that 'exquisite' you do exist,As the puppet on my armNugget of my charmPenchant on the tongue,... That summons all senses to a prongRainbow tattoo on skin-Polychromatic infection spreading from withinAs you melt in my handI split into several coloured chunksLike a broken kaleidoscope of dreamssmeared in the scope of a beamYour minty prowess offers dainty powersSo, upon you I bestow saintly honorsMake me adroit in an hourTo pollinate every single flowerChained to creativity, blessed-A slave to this virtuous hex.. ©KWAME WRITE

POETRAHer performance was backed by a seasoned vocalist “Miz Akwele” and Kyekyeku on the strings, her piece was titled “Don’t Try To Judge Me”

M I S S N D A B IShe was flawless in her delivery and a delight to watch.

RIBOAMA great Mexican guitarist and vocalist performed a song in Spanish

Call him a naturalist, poetry, music, insane, wits, energy and freedom; it was the top poet and entertainer D.K Osei Yaw who undoubtedly stole the show at the maiden event of ALEWA (The rebirth of spoken word poetry in Ghana)

The event, organized by People of Equal Thoughts and Spirit (P.O.E.T.S) at the Sweeties Lounge on October 2, 2011, saw the never disappointing poet/entertainer electrifying the atmosphere with his hot single “Gari foto” which saw many art lovers and fans thrilled, captivated and excited.

The poet, who performed with high energy on the night, threw away his jembe which was claimed by one of his loyal fans after what had been a standing ovation performance. He even decided to auction his shoes to the bewilderment and excitement of the audience. The icing on the cake was when he stunned the audience with his acrobatic displays, totally out of the blue which registered him in the minds of many as a true artist and entertainer.

Ghana needs to watch out for more exhilarating and breathtaking performances from D.K. Osei Yaw at future poetry shows.

D.K. OSEI YAW STEALS SHOW AT THE REBIRTH OF SPOKEN WORD POETRY

DK OSEI YAW His name DK means Dug out of Korongo, where the first stone tools used by men of old, was discovered in Tanzania the Olduvai Gorge... The king of Garians thrilled fans to his most popular piece “Gari Foto”.

YOM POET NFOJOHPerforming his most popular poem “Ghana Boy” being supported by Emy and Kyekyeku

KYEKYEKUOne of Ghana’s finest young guitarist, poet and musician, he wowed fans with his rendition of Wanluv the Koborlo’s song “I Be Human Being Just Like You”.

The highly acclaimed spoken word artist Mutombo, explained how poetry saved his life in a breathtaking piece at the maiden event of ALEWA (The rebirth of spoken word poetry in Ghana)The event, organized by People of Equal Thoughts and Spirit (P.O.E.T.S) at the Sweeties Lounge on October 2 2011, saw the Pidgin Music artiste who was expected by many of his fans to perform his new single “X-RAY”, captivate the audience with an equally better piece “Poetry Saved My Life” where he artistically narrates a young lad’s journey in the world of poetry and fame.

The piece which he wrote in 2008 gave the audience a true “alewalistic” experience and leaves his loyal fans in high anticipation of his soon-to-be –released spoken word album “Photosentences” which he says “will be out in a few months.”We wishes the artiste all the best in his forthcoming album.

MUTOMBO: POETRY SAVED MY LIFE

MUTOMBO DA POETMutombo performing one of his old poems “Poetry Saved My Life” and no one had any question about his stage presence and energy. He was phenomenal

It was a first class performance from the King of Rhymes, Rhymesonny who doubled as a Minister for Poetry at the maiden event of ALEWA (The rebirth of spoken word poetry in Ghana).

The event, organized by People of Equal Thoughts and Spirit (P.O.E.T.S) at the Sweeties Lounge on October 2, 2011, saw the smartly dressed poet bombarding politicians with his trademark rhymes, true words which left the audience with no other option than to appreciate his unique style.

The poet, who concluded with the line “think about the masses and do something about the taxes”, certainly made his case known to the self centered politicians who only think of themselves and neglect the masses to suffer.

Expect another exciting piece from Rhymesonny at the next ALEWA event which has been scheduled for early December. Limelightghana.com will update you on the event details.

MINISTER OF POETRY BOMBARDS POLITICIANS

RHYMESONNYHe reaffirmed why he is and still the king of rhymes with a captivating piece titled “Politicians”. His performance earned him another title “the MINISTER of poetry.

ALEWA COLLABORATION OF THE DAY by KWAME WRITE, O’ZIONN, M.O.I AND RITA RICHARDSONthis wascollabo was the tights Ghana has ever seen in recent times. Four great performers doing one piece. it was a dramatic poem full of moral, humor, they entertained, educated, informed and edified the audience..

SELIKEMThis poet poured “Libation” with words reaffirming his status as a traditional poet of the season.

A CROSS SECTION OF AUDIENCE

ORDER YOUR ALEWA TRENDY T- SHIRTS NOWcall +233 24 6419861 / +233 20 7568620

GHANAIAN POETS THRILL AUDIENCE WITH CAPTIVATING PERFORMANCES AT ALEWA

The much anticipated “REBIRTH OF SPOKEN WORD POETRY IN GHANA” lived up to its hype as top Ghanaian spoken word artists bombarded an enthusiastic audience with spectacular performances at the maiden event of ALEWA. The event, organized by People of Equal Thoughts and Spirit (P.O.E.T.S) on October 2, 2011 at Sweeties Lounge (Spintex Road) began with an exciting melody by Kyekyeku who later performed “Bedbug” to the amusement of the audience.Edith rounded up the first session with a breathtaking poem which consequently paved way for the next exciting session. Selikem’s poem “Libation” was also whole-heartedly received by the audience and when it was time for the guest artiste Mariska Taylor Darko to step on stage, the expectant audience were glued to their seats as the writer; poet and motivational speaker thrilled them with good poetry and words of encouragement. Alba Konadu Sumprim reviewed her books “A Place of Beautiful Nonsense” and “The Imported Ghanaian” soon after which the new queen of the art, Poetra Ama Asantewaa treated the audience with a breathtaking poem.Since the best is always saved for the last, the final session saw poetry heavyweightYom Da Poet perform “That Ghana Boy” whilst Reboam did a Spanish medley with his guitar but it was D.K. Osei Yaw who arguably stole the show with his hot single “Gari Foto”, a performance which electrified the atmosphere and saw many art lovers overly excited. There were also performances by the king of Rhymes, Rhyme sonny, Pidgin Music artiste/poet Mutombo, a sketch by Kwame Write and a remarkable performance from Chief Moomen and Shaka. According to the event organizers, the next ALEWA event has been slated for early December and Ghanaians should expect a much better, sweeter and mouth-watering performances from Ghana’s finest spoken word artists. The renaissance is definitely on course!

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and more……..

ALEWA MAKING HEADLINES