Native Tongues Returns On 19th November

The regular open mic, poetry and music event Native Tongues returns on the 19th of November.

Held at the Musicians Association of Gibraltar Club in Wellington Front, this month’s edition will be hosted by Jonathan Teuma and will feature Tessa Rosado as the guest poet.

Other writers, rappers and storytellers  are encouraged to contribute by reading out poems and extracts during the evening’s open mic session. 

Speaking to YGTV, host Jonathan Teuma said: “Native Tongues events are a place for sharing, learning, inspiring and being inspired. The idea is to provide a space were both established and up and coming artists can perform their work, test it out before an audience and both learn from and inspire each other. Everything revolves around the word, so of course poets, story tellers, comedians, rappers and singer songwriters are more than welcome to come and share their work”. 

Jonathan also provided some advice for writers who might be considering taking the stage to read out their work:

“Do it! Don’t stress and strain over it. Let the audience be your editor. Learn to gauge their response and see what it tells you about your work. Rehearse. Even if you are going to read your work, it should be rehearsed and practiced in front of other people (friends, family, co-workers) before you take it to the stage. 

“Mark every pause, every change in pace, pitch and volume. Practice, practice and practice some more. Finally, learn to take distance from your work. Even the most intimate and personal piece of art is just that, a piece of art. It is not you nor should it determine your value. A negative reaction to a poem does not make you a bad or silly person, just as a positive one does not make you any greater than what you are. Take praise with humility and critiques as lessons.”

Native Tongues takes place at 7pm on Thursday 19th November at the MAG Club at 14, Wellington Front.