Spoken Word Café (1606)

Hosted by Candace Kelley, this half-hour Another View program will highlight the artistry of the spoken word. Spoken word combines the traditional forms of oral and written poetry, and the reward is a fresh multi-media experience for eye and ear. In a café setting with a studio audience Another View will feature area poets performing original works.

Guests include Poet, hip-hop artist, and innovative educator; TONI BLACKMAN is the founder of Free Style Union, a Washington, D.C.-based organization of hip-hop artists formed to create music that respects individual dignity and difference. Ms. Blackman has been called the U.S. Hip-Hop Ambassador, having recently traveled to Senegal and Ghana with the U.S. Department of State. Her work has extended to South Africa, England, France, and Angola.

Another View's Spoken Word Café will feature performances by Philadelphia native STEPHANIE RENEE. Renee maintains a vigorous live performance schedule both as a solo artist and with her band MUSES WILD. Currently, she is working on 2 full-length recorded projects - one a cappella and one with music.

This program will also feature muMs. muMs portrays the character 'Poet' on the critically acclaimed Emmy-nominated HBO prison drama OZ. This role was created especially by creator Tom Fontana for muMs. In OZ, muMs' original poetic creations serve as the universal narrative voice of the prison population.

Also on the Spoken Word Café stage is New Jersey native and the 2001 Grand Poetry Slam King, Chris Cook, otherwise known as Flowmentalz. Flowmentalz performs regularly at Serengeti Plains in Montclair New Jersey.