S.O.R.P.L.U.S.I. is an acronym representing an arts-based personal and professional development methodology that emerges out of Dub Poetry and is founded on eight guiding principles of Self-knowledge, Orality, Rhythm, Political content & context, Language of communication, Urgency, Sacredness, and Integrity. The methodology – based on the seminal work of pioneer Dub Poet Anita Stewart and developed by her daughter d’bi.young anitafrika – is an approach to artistic creation that (a) focuses on the holistic development of the artist in the process of creating their work; and (b) equips the artist with the tools to help others to develop as well. The method is unique in that its approach is holistic, emphasizing creative, physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual growth, as well as it uses the individual’s lived-experience as catalyst for all explorations.

Through meticulous excavation of each principle, using a range of meditations, movement, games, creative exercises, techniques, and readings, the artist learns how to engage in self-analysis and reflection while developing a critical-analytical framework and an oppression-awareness point-of-view, both of which become central to their personal and creative process. Each Sorplusi principle is a challenge to individual artists to be continually self-aware, self-implicating, and honest before, during, and after generating artistic creations.

Sorplusi affirms each artist’s accountability to and responsibility for (in other words to account for and respond to) their communities, co-creating a comprehensive eco-system in which artists and community members are mutually accountable, responsible and empowered to affect social change in their lives. the methodology can be applied as a training and developmental tool in diverse contexts such as in schools (at all grade levels), teacher-training courses, and community workshops.

[box type=”info” style=”rounded” border=”full” icon=”none”]This event is All Ages. Each workshop has only 25 spots available. This workshop is three hours long. The only required materials are a notebook, a writing utensil, and a willingness to participate. For accessibility info, click the venue name below.[/box]

[box type=”note” style=”rounded” border=”full” icon=”none”]Workshops are the only events to which a festival pass will NOT give you access.[/box]