Talented speakers lined up for Psalms of Revolution

Rotorua poet and storyteller Chanz Mikaere has brought together a range of talented speakers to perform at the upcoming "Psalms of the Revolution: A Night of Poetry and Spoken Word".

"Spoken word is a way to express the realities of our world, it is a form of poetry, performance and protest all rolled into one, for those who appreciate the art form, it is bringing together kupu of kaupapa," Ms Mikaere said.

She said the writers and performers at Psalms of the Revolution are locally and nationally recognised artists passionate about their communities.

"This can be seen as an evening of social commentary, where no topic is sacred. For this reason we have had to advertise the event as having restricted entry, R18," she said.

Local artists performing are Rowley Habib, Brian Potiki and Ms Mikaere.

Mr Habib began his writing career in the 1950s while at Teachers Training College in Auckland. His book of selected poems Raw Men will be on sale on the night.

Brian Potiki has published a book of poems and songs called Aotearoa and a book of South Island history plays called Te Wai Pounamu: Your Music Remembers Me. He'll be reading an extract from his recent book Hey Maori People about the radical Maori theatre play Maranga Mai.

Ms Mikaere was the recipient of the 2011 Te Taonga a Tupu-A-Nuku award for excellence in original poetry composition and contribution to the fine arts of Te Arawa.

Out-of-town performers are composer and poet Ngatai Huata, protester and activist Marama Davidson and Anatonio Te Maioha, who will perform his talk Let me tell you about Tame.

The event is also a fundraiser for Nga Tai o Te Reinga, an organisation co-ordinating opposition to Maori land confiscation.

Psalms of the Revolution is on at Eleven53 on Arawa St, from 6pm tomorrow. Tickets are limited. Call (021) 025 71789.