Intermedia Arts presents a showcase of some of the most dynamic spoken-word artists in the Twin Cities – including Tou Saiko Lee on Saturday, February 6, 8:00 p.m. at Intermedia Arts, 2822 Lyndale Avenue S., Minneapolis, MN 55408
All winners of Intermedia Arts’ 2009 VERVE Grant for spoken-word poets, these performers are ready and waiting to bring their new work to the community. The showcase will feature Tou Saiko Lee along with Poetic Assassins, Kyle “Guante” Myhre, Khary Jackson and Tish Jones.
From Poetic Assassins (Ryan Virden and Jessica Gabrielle) rapid-fire hip hop poetry, to Khary Jackson’s theater-infused persona poems; from Tou Saiko Lee’s bilingual meditations on Hmong identity, to Kyle “Guante” Myhre’s darkly comic monologues and Tish Jones’ smooth ruminations on life, love and loss, this performance will traverse the spoken-word landscape, merging countless styles, subjects and approaches to writing. Reception to follow.
There is a $5 suggested donation but everyone is welcome and no one will be turned away.
Tou Saiko Lee is a spoken word artist, mentor and hip-hop organizer. He is the MC for the socially conscious, funk/hip hop band PosNoSys (Post Nomadic Syndrome) and has been organizing a monthly all-ages open mic event called I.C.E. (Innovative Community Elevation) since 2004.
Lee occasionally teams up with his grandmother, Youa Chang, who practices the traditional Hmong art of kwv txiaj (Hmong poetry chanting) and the duo performs together as “Fresh Traditions.”
A mentor for youth at schools and community centers across the country, Lee speaks about human rights, diversity, racism, gang violence and arts for social change. Lee is a 2009 Intermedia Arts VERVE grant recipient and the co-founder of “The H Project” a compilation music CD inspired by the human rights violations of Hmong people in the jungles of Laos.
VERVE 2010 applications are available for spoken word poets. Receive up to $3,000 to take your art to the next level. Apply through InterMedia Arts at or call 612-871-4444. Grant writing assistance is available. The deadline to apply is February 11, 2010.
