Kia Ora, Talofa Lava, Bula Vinaka, Kia Orana, Welcome,
A very special welcome to our guest Guest Editor ‘Miz Floes’ Portionte Floes, Seattle based Spoken Word Artist and member of the fluid and soulful Soul Sta Shun, fronted by her partner R Curtis,
We feature Portionte’s work both solo and with Soul Sta Shun. Portionte produces her own TV show Put Me On Portionte broadcast by way of live streaming and Public TV where Portionte showcases spoken word talent in a live performance setting.
I admire and respect Portionte's work within her local community in Seattle and her work as a spoken word artist. I sincerely hope you take time to find out more about her and her work, she is an example to us all in the arts to remember our role as inspiring and supporting our local communities.
Pasifika Poets is a movement of New Zealand based Poets and Spoken Word artists of pacific origins. Huia Publishers, Anton Carter of Creative New Zealand and Dr Selina Tusitala Marsh have created exposure and opportunities in the contemporary New Zealand literary scene for writers of pacific origins.
We present a selection of recordings of some these poets. Most notable Contemporaries Karlo Mila and Tusiata Avia each present two very different pieces, exposing the breadth of their “styling's”.
Karlo Mila is the winner of the Montana Book Award - New Zealand Society of Authors Jessie Mackay Best First Book Award for Poetry with her groundbreaking debut Dream Fish Floating – Huia Publishers 2005.
The New Zealand Institute of Modern Letters has selected Pulotu Wings – to be included in Best New Zealand Poems of 2006, first published here in Blackmail Press 17 (http://www.blackmailpress.com/KM17.html ).
Tusiata Avia’s collection of poetry Wild Dogs Under My Skirt – VUP 2004, has a performance counterpart playing at Auckland Festival of Arts AK07, a show not to be missed. Tusiata’s poetry is sharp, intelligent, at times darkly humorous. She challenges stereotypes, unafraid of confronting social issues.
Serie Barford and Dr Selina Tusitala Marsh, both widely known in New Zealand present a selection of works, which speak to the heart of all people regardless of origins or cultural background.
Serie Barford has been widely published and is a highly regarded poet, she will be reading at the upcoming Slow and Steamy literary festival in Waitakere City, Auckland.
Dr Selina Tusitala Marsh is widely published and her efforts to bring Pacific writing into the mainstream was recently rewarded with the success of the collection she recently edited Niu Voices – Contemporary Pacific Fiction 1 – Huia Publishers 2006.
DJ Kamali and Rev Mua Strickson Pua present Spoken Word; both bring personal stories of being of Pacific origins; embracing and celebrating ones cultural heritage.
Rev Mua Strickson Pua is a highly regarded leader in our pacific community and a well-known commentator in the media on Pacific issues.
DJ Kamali has played WOMAD music festival and the hugely popular Pasifika Festival for many years and has recorded a 5 song EP, D. Kamali EP Singles 2005.
Tim Page is a singer songwriter, and we feature two of his songs. Tim has been invaluable in producing this issue. Tim's enthusiasm and support in getting the recordings of the Pasifika poets is so greatly appreciated.
I have included two recorded pieces as I am of Pacific origin, namely the Ulberg Aiga of Tulaele, Apia & Tuailemafua of Safune, Savaii. They are part of a selection of works published in Singaporean Journal Soft Blow and edited by Jayne Fenton Keane.
Jayne Fenton Keane, highly regarded poet & multimedia artist presents a selection of global poets bringing spoken word from a different perspective and origin. Although the Spoken Word movement is predominantly of hip-hop origin and generally a fusion of music and recited poetry, Jayne’s selection challenges you the audience to define Spoken Word. I highly recommend, “Slamming the Sonnet – Stalking Tongue Volume 2” http://www.poetinresidence.com/ as “additional reading” to this issue.
Now, Take a good hour’s break, sit down with a favored beverage (non-alcoholic) and enjoy.
Malo!
Doug Poole
