Outer Urban Projects’ Poetic Licence dares to take one of the oldest surviving comedies of all time and turn it into a spoken word contemporary performance, this Wednesday 22 April (7.00 pm) at The Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre (cnr Bell St and St Georges Rd, Preston).
The Frogs by Aristophanes is a classic that will feature young rappers, poets, singers, beat-boxers and musicians responding to the Ancient Greek text in a ‘salon-style underworld’.
The Outer Urban Projects team have years of events and art management experience and are working on the ground with a diverse and talented wave of new artists from the outer urban belt, usually posing questions as to whether the spoken world can effect real change.
A god descends to the underworld to resurrect a dead poet back to life to save the city from war and ruin.
Poetic Licence brings together ancient rap and verse from Lebanon and Greece with contemporary MCs and slam poets in a competitive theatrical arena to debate who is the better poet – the one most capable of saving a divided world in confusion and crisis.
Outer Urban Projects is a not-for-profit that collaborates with youths from the city’s outer north whose access to artistic expression is often otherwise limited, and performers in Poetic Licence range from a 13-year-old poet to an Alabama-raised inspirational speaker, a speed rapper to an alternative jazz vocalist.
Divine Favour are Fokaoho and Tangata Paea Tupou and Ruthy Kaisila.
Blending Maori and Pacific Islander influences with Gospel and Hip Hop, Divine Favour always astonish audiences with their vocal talent and charisma.
Their motto – ‘When words fail, music speaks’.
The Outer Urban Projects string quartet led by Natasha Hanna play standards from the classical canon that take on new dimensions when they mix it up with beat boxing and a gospel trio.
Yung Philly is a highly sought after MC, beat boxer and rap artist. His stagecraft and ability to think on his feet is legendary.
Tickets cost $23 full/concession $16/family of 4: $72 /group 6+: $15/group 10+: $12 /under two free (must be seated on a ticket holder’s lap. Transaction fees may apply.
If you would like to know more about Urban Events or book a performance or workshop contact a team member on 03 9650 2521 or email your request to info@outerurbanprojects.org