Weapons Of Rhythmic Dialect (W.O.R.D.), a new eclectic organization that fuses art of all genres together, will be presenting yet another open-mic showcase cleverly entitled ‘Tilted Mics’ Saturday, Oct. 11 at Tilt Coffee Shop.

The AUC-based organization was recently founded in the spring semester of 2008, by founding partners, Thabiti Nosakhere and Nkosane Jackson. After two highly successful shows, the organization continues to produce quality atmospheres for its audiences. This is definitely not your average open-mic.

Initially the two founders created the organization to cater to the musical needs of the AUC, but as the project expanded, so did its mission. “The group began for AUC students and was really narrow at first, but now we’ve incorporated a broader range of membership,” Jackson said. “This organization is geared towards helping people interested in any aspect of art, whether its music, visual arts, spoken word, dancers, rappers, play writes, graphic designers or actors.”

"Tilted Mics" allow artists of all kinds to perform their talents in front of an encouraging audience. The Tilt Coffee Shop itself serves as the perfect venue for this live event. The style of the venue alone offers a unique experience simply from its literally ‘tilted’ design. This contemporary-loft style café presents authentic artworks that are updated each month. Moreover, in the extended backroom are two 32-inch flat-screen plasma televisions with a large projection screen for slideshows. However, a full description of the site is not complete without mentioning its delicious yet healthy sandwiches, smoothies and beverages.

Beyond the ambiance of the café is the energy of the performers and the crowd. Talented individuals throughout the AUC share their passions on stage through various artistic accomplishments. Adding to the flair of the event, is a live art show where creative students produce paintings in tandem with the open-mic performances. Best of all, it’s free!

“The W.O.R.D. organization puts forth its best efforts to cultivate artists and bring them to the public’s attention,” Nosakhere said. As for upcoming events also hosted by W.O.R.D., the organization speaks of presenting a talent show open to the AUC student body some time this November. While all artists are afforded the opportunity to express themselves, a grand prize is offered to the winner of the contest. Dedicated to nurturing the arts and building on the talent of its members, W.O.R.D. also intends to host future workshops for students interested in improving their various artistic skills as well as helping all feel welcome to the mic.

So how else is W.O.R.D. planning to contribute to the public? Nosakhere and Jackson pool collaborative resources that sustain the heart of the organization, with ambitions to generate plays, create compilation CD’s of their artists and design a semester chap-book of "Tilted Mics" highlights.

Come and enjoy an evening at Tilt Coffee Shop, with the members of W.O.R.D. Saturday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. To find out more information about the organization and how you can be a part of the artistic movement, send your emails to word.contact@gmail or visit their profile on www.facebook.com, keyword: W.O.R.D.

Membership of the W.O.R.D. organization is all-inclusive and easy to be a part of. For students who share the same interest in artistic expression as the creators of the group are more than eligible to become members. The association is always looking for new talent, so in the words of Thabiti Nosakhere, “spread the W.O.R.D.; pun intended.”

Published: October 9, 2008 08:32 PM