Rock the Republic throws together poetry slam and rock music, Texas-style

by Sarah Crisman

On October 15-17, 2009, downtown Bryan will host the first annual Rock The Republic (RTR); but it's not a festival. Don't call it a festival. It's three days filled with 60 musical acts from around Texas (a third of which are from North Texas) across ten venues in Bryan/College Station -- not a festival.

This three night “Spectacle of Sight and Sound,” created by Stephen Sargent and Saint John Wesley (Fort Worth), will highlight the Texas worlds of rock, art and slam poetry. The RTR stages will feature several rising stars Texas rock (including Jonathon Tyler and the Northern Lights, and Oso Closo), alongside nationally-ranked slam poets.

Artists featured at this year’s event include the Black and White Years, Suzanna Choffel, The Hudsons, and Keite Young. Spoken word artists will include both past and current world slam poetry champions Buddy Wakefield and Joaquin Zihuatanejo, the top ranked slam poet in the world (from Dallas -- holla!). You may have seen him on Russell Simmons' Def Poetry.

RTR began with the idea of bringing the worlds of poetry and music together to showcase the best talent in Texas. That idea is now a grassroots movement aiming to bring the diverse artistic communities of Texas together to celebrate freedom of expression and create an unforgettable artistic experience.

RTR seeks to establish and maintain a reputation not only for quality entertainment, but also for a community environment where all are welcome by providing diverse artists and the most affordable ticket packages for any event of its kind and quality. One day passes are available for only $10, three day passes for $25.