Africa in Australia Showcase

Join host and curator Chika Ikogwe for a showcase of poets from the African diaspora sharing their words at a much-loved Nigerian restaurant in Newtown. Performers include Agum, Intwari, Kerema Clement Rukundo, Nya The Poet, Wilfred Roach, and a special guest set by Princess Arinola Adegbite (UK).

All ticket sales for this event will be split between these two charities:

Focus Congo: https://www.focuscongo.com/en/ 

Sudan Solidarity Collective: https://sudansolidarity.com/ 

Presented as part of Contains Strong Language by Red Room Poetry and BBC, in partnership with A Little Lagos.

Artist Bios

Princess Arinola Adegbite (P.A.BITEZ) (UK) is a surrealist poet and musician who explores identity. Her awards include Manchester Young Creative of the Year 2023. Her poetry has been commissioned by BBC, Selfridges, Chanel and the University of Cambridge.

Agum is a Sydney-based artist with a soulful blend of Soul/R&B, telling you her side of the story with a pen that effortlessly flows with authenticity, and the timeless voice of an old soul reminiscent of soul legends.

Intwari is a Rwandan poet whose work explores depression, self love and emotional experience that many can relate to. His poetry is a kind of dialogue, ensuring the audience feels like they’re being heard and spoken to.

Clement Rukundo is a director, actor and a poet currently completing a Master of Fine Arts Directing at NIDA. He has previously collaborated with STC South Australia and STC Sydney, Belvoir and Actnow theatre, often highlighting themes impacting underrepresented and misrepresented communities.

A poet hailing from South Sudan, Nyaluak Leth channels her experiences into captivating verses that transcend boundaries, and explores the complexities of identity and human connection. Through her works she creates immersive experiences, blending poetry with movement, music and visual art.

Wilfred Roach was born in Trinidad and grew up in London. His poet’s voice is influenced by ancestral and contemporary stories driven by a decolonising perspective. His practice touches on the mundane and exceptional that is always with us.

Red Room Poetry is assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body, and by the NSW Government in association with Create NSW. This event is supported by the Australian Government through the International Cultural Diplomacy Arts Fund, the British Council, the City of Sydney, and the Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund.