What is Shake the Dust?
Shake the Dust is an exciting and ambitious national participation and performance project that will celebrate and showcase the talent, diversity and creativity of young people across England, enabling them to be seen and heard.
The project starts with professional development for spoken word artists and teachers/youth workers in autumn of 2011. Then, from February up until June 2012, will run in-depth workshop programmes with groups of 13 – 16 year olds in each of the nine English regions. All of this work will culminate in Regional Slam Finals in June 2012, happening in arts venues across England involving all participants. The nine highest scoring teams will progress to the grand slam finals, The National Shake the Dust Weekend at the Southbank Centre, London in July 2012.
What is a poetry slam?
A poetry slam is a competition where participants perform poems that are then given a score by special guest judges. Slams can happen in single rounds or work over multiple knock-out stages until the highest scoring team or individual is chosen. Though the format is competitive, Shake the Dust emphasises the participatory and community aspects of slam poetry.
Who is Shake the Dust for?
Everyone interested in spoken word, and those who haven’t yet discovered it! We are especially working with young people, spoken word artists and teachers / educators. There will also be a fantastic programme of live spoken word events with special performances from top uk artists and and visits from overseas performers, for the general public to attend.
Who is funding and managing Shake the Dust?
Shake the Dust has been generously funded by Arts Council England through their Grants for the Arts programme. Lankelly Chase, Monument Trust and Mercers’ Company have also kindly supported the project. Shake the Dust is managed by Apples and Snakes, England’s leading organisation for spoken word and performance poetry.
Where is Shake the Dust happening?
Shake the Dust has teamed up with nine Venue Partners across the Uk. These prominent arts venues will play a large roll in the project and form the regional homes for Shake the Dust, with many activities taking place within them; including Masterclasses, INSET training sessions and this is where each of the regional slam finals will happen. The workshops with young people will take place in classrooms and rehearsal spaces across each region. We are also working with consulting slam producers where possible in each region, these slam experts will also play a large role in the project contributing their experience of youth slam and their in depth regional knowledge. The National Slam final weekend will be held at the Southbank Centre in London.
How do I get involved as young person?
Take a look at our Get Involved page for more details.
How do I get involved as a teacher / educator?
There will be open INSET training sessions for any teacher, educator or youth worker who wants to work with slam and spoken word in the classroom. Take a look at our Get Involved page for more details, or the events page listings for an INSET near you.
What will I gain from getting involved in a Shake the Dust INSET session?
You will learn practical skills to help you support young people to develop their creativity, self-expression and confidence through poetry and spoken word.
How do I get my pupils/ school involved in Shake the Dust?
Please take a look at the Get Involved page for more information.
How do I get involved as a spoken word artist?
Renowned slam facilitator and poet coach Jacob Sam-La Rose will be leading free training sessions for artists who are interested in developing young people’s creative writing and performance skills. The Masterclass is aimed at poets and spoken word artists who would like to develop their education workshop skills, with a particular view to working with the youth slam model. Take a look at our Events page for upcoming dates and locations. We will also be recruiting Poet Coaches and Shadow Artists to work with young people – look at the Get Involved page for full details.
