aStepFWD and the UK Christian Chart in association with the PIA World Tour and ArtisteHub are extremely pleased to announce the #PIA2018Challenge which seeks to find the best spoken word artist or poet in the UK and the surrounding regions this year. The winner is set to perform at the PIA World Tour London stop on May 5th 2018. (Article thumbnail picture is of last years’ winner Sarah Amankwah)
The announcement is as timely for the UK as it is relevant to the US, in that April is recognised in the United States as National Poetry Month, following on from the UNESCO World Poetry Day on March 21st. The next few weeks in the UK will be perhaps the busiest of the year for poetry lovers with Rhema Live Lounge and Vocals & Verses celebrating their 7th year, followed by PIA in May.
The #PIA2018Challenge offers UK poets the opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings in a 3 – 5 minute original piece on any subject matter. “Last year the Open Mic poets were phenomenal this year we do not expect anything different…” says PIA poet Ezekiel.
This year the video submissions will be published on astepfwd.com with the UK Christian Chart Judges and the public involved up to the final stage. The process will run as follows:
First Video Submission Deadline – Saturday 7th April
STAGE 1
- Submit a 3-5 minute original piece any subject
- Voting begins – Tuesday 10th April | Voting ends – Tuesday 17th April (15 to go through)
Second Video Submission Deadline – Saturday 14th April
STAGE 2
- Submit a 1-2 minute themed piece “Change”
- Voting begins – Thursday 19th April | Voting ends – Tuesday 24th April (5 to go through)
STAGE 3
- PIA Artists determine 3 finalists
- Voting begins – Thursday 26th April | Voting ends – Tuesday 1st May
The winner will be announced by 3rd May and will get the chance to perform live on stage at the PIA Tour London show which will also feature top international Christian spoken word artists, Janette…ikz, Joseph Solomon, Preston Perry, Chris Webb and Ezekiel at their double-bill performance on 5th May in London.
SUBMIT YOUR #PIA2018CHALLENGE VIDEOS/MP4 TO MEDIA@ASTEPFWD.COM BY MIDNIGHT 7TH APRIL 2018
With hundreds of tickets already gone for what looks set to be sold out PIA shows, feel free to tag every local poet you know and let’s get this challenge going! The PIA team want to hear from YOU!
Click the flyer below to purchase your London ticket today. Bigger & Better in 2018!
