When Words Slam...

You need to be at these two events to discover what happens when words slam. You need to figure out how you'll make the two of them (as their time kinda overlap). We will try to bring you pictures from both. Away from my rant, details below:

DADA books, publishers of I am memory- a moving poetry collection by Jumoke Verissimo and The Abyssinian Boy- an ambitious and thought provoking novel by Onyeka Nwelue are proud to present – A Fistful of Tales, an exciting short story collection by Ayodele Arigbabu (now that's true...I've read it. An autographed copy too. One of the perks of being a Bookaholic is reading the books before everyone does :))

Meet the Writer

Ayodele Arigbabu studied Architecture at the University of Lagos, where he was the Librarian and then President of the Pen Circle, an association of young writers. He writes weekly on design and environment for The Guardian Life, writes occasionally for other magazines, dabbles into poetry and fiction as the muse inspires and writes scripts for theatre, film, television and comic books.

His short story titled "You live to die once" was the winning entry at the 2001 Liberty Bank Short Stories Competition. His poem titled "Livelihood" received honourable mention, at the 2003 Muson Poetry competition while his first short story collection titled Blues Tones (published in The Three Kobo Book) was nominated for the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) / Lantern Books 2005 Prize for Short Stories.

The Book

What does the book cover tell you? Liz Jensen, (author of The Paper Eater) Ayo Arigbabu's mentor on Crossing Borders had this to say about the book: “Ayo’s muscular, playful language is assured, versatile, and stuffed to the gills with energy and joie-de-vivre....his subjects and voices range over a wide field – but never lose their grip, or their power to entertain. A Fistful of Tales is a small collection but it packs a mighty punch. Ayodele Arigbabu is a writer to watch.”

The Launch 

A Fistful of Tales will be presented to the public on Saturday the 28th of November 2009 at the British Council, 20 Thompson Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos form 4pm till 6pm. The author will read from his collection with support from soul diva- Yinka Davies, maverick theatre director- Segun Adefila and the city’s favourite fiction writer and poet- Toni Kan. It will sure be a memorable evening, with these names.

Here Comes Wordslam...

Wordslam is here again. Yours Truly was there last year and it was a blast. This year's edition promises to be better. So mark your diary...

Ade Bantu’s vibes – a mixture of hip-hop, reggae and afrofunk, which he calls “the sound of fufu” - will turn what started as a poetry performance into an exciting live concert in the evening. Come and explore the transitions between spoken and sung words and to be part of a unique rhythmic experience. And yes, snacks and Refreshments will be offered.

Concert Evening: Sat, Nov 28. Time: 3:00pm

Venue: Goethe-Institut Nigeria, 10 Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, opp. 1004 Flats, Victoria Island, Lagos.