Word Up! was a literary showcase held for the first time in 2006 – with a revival in 2010 – in collaboration with the Museum which hosted the event. It was a joint fundraiser and an opportunity to shine the spotlight on Antigua’s literary stars such as
S. E James, author of the children’s adventure series that includes Tragedy on Emerald Island, A Narrow Escape, and Kidnapped at the Beach
S. E. James
Joy Lawrence, author of Island Spice, Colours and Rhythms, The Way We Talk, and The History of Bethesda and Christian Hill
Joy Lawrence
Dotsie Isaac Gellizeau, who can be heard on the Spoken Word CD Absouluuutely Dotsie
Tamo Zakela
Tamo Zakela, also known as Antigua's High Priest of Poetry
Jermilla Kirwan, star of The Sweetest Mango and Diablesse (with which she also served as co-writer)
Jermilla Kirwan, writer and former Carnival Queen
Kush David, poet and activist
Kush
Tameka Jarvis author of the poetry collections, I Am That I Am and I Am, and book of fiction (released 2010) Unexpected
Zeina Hechme who won the first of the Independence Literary Arts competitions in 2005 
Sandrena Martin, 2005 Wadadli Pen Winner 
and others. It was a really fun night, emceed by Natalie Clarke White, and well attended. Proceeds helped with the 2006 Wadadli Pen competition and part proceeds went to the museum. When Word Up! was held for the second time in 2010 it was directed by Zahra Airall with performances by her Zee’s Youth Theatre – interpreting the work of various Antiguan authors – and others . Proceeds from that were donated to the Red Cross for Haitian relief in the wake of the quake.
Photos by Laura Hall and/or Gemma Hazelwood
Wadadli Pen 