Tongue gives the youth a voice

Meet of the Tongue will showcase up-and-coming young performers aged from 13 to 25.

18-year-old Tommy Sissons is a performance poet from Brighton whose strong rap-like rhythms bring the harsh realities of urban working class lifestyles to his audience with eloquence and beauty.

Twice regional finalist in Brighton’s big spoken-word gig, Hammer and Tongue, Tommy represented the South East on performance poetry organisation Apples and Snake’s national tour.

His one man show, A Day in the Life, sold out at the Brighton Fringe Festival.

Before the performance it is hoped that Tommy will be performing and leading workshops to pupils of Robertsbridge Community College during the day.

These workshops will be funded by Roberstbridge Arts Partnership.

Also appearing as part of this 13-25 event are Danni and Ben Jackson, teaming up as the Oobie-doos to offer some of their favourite music reworked in Oobie-doo style!

Having both returned from studying music in Brighton, Ben Jackson works as local guitar tutor, youth worker and runs workshop in schools and youth centres for as far afield as his car will make the journey.

The evening will also introduce two performances from students from the Pestalozzi International Village, Sedlescombe, which offers educations to young people from disadvantaged communities around the world.

Performance poet Pratiksha Sharma comes from Nepal and her years seem too few for some of the issues she deals with in her work, whilst Justine Mushitu, from Zambia, is a natural-born teller of true and traditional tales.

The poster for this event was designed by Sussex Coast College illustrations student, Jack Dalziel and the evening will be hosted by storyteller Hilary Watkins and young actor, 19-year-old Keiran Kerswell.

Keiran is the son of one of Meet of the Tongue’s regular poets, Yvonne, and is proof that talent runs in a family.

He is a core member of the Bowler Crab Productions Theatre Company, with productions at the Stables Theatre and has just returned from acting in Chicago.

He also appeared in a New Things production of Disco Inferno, playing the part of the 1970’s DJ.

Many of these of the performers were involved with New Writing South Young People’s Writing Squads.

This 13-25 at Meet of the Tongue coincides with the launch of Young Writers’ Manefesto.

Recently the Young Writers’ Manifesto was delivered to the House of Commons by a group of young writers, asking that Michael Grove puts a high value on creative activities in the classroom.

Meet of the Tongue’s July event will be honest, raw and cross generation gaps.

If you would like to come along as a performer of spoken word, acoustic music or tales or as a listener, doors open 7.30pm at The Ostrich, Robertsbridge, near to the train station.

Cost is £4, pay on door. Further details from www.facebook.com/MeetoftheTongue or 01580 860528.