Speak Life's Adam Keene to GA/GI-tize the Pittsburgh Glass Center

Keene (at mic) and Friends 

Adam Keene, has been a producer, a storyteller, event planner and performer in some fashion for nearly half of his life. Over the past few years, as the Captain of Speak Life Storytellers LLC, Keene-- also known as the word wizard and Rhetorical Artz--has used GA/GI as a springboard to launch his ideas and to give opportunities to his peers in the arts and technology fields inviting photographers, musicians and artists to be part of the annual festival experience.  In fact, he's utilized the event for exactly the things the festival wants to encourage. GA/GI Fest, already a vibrant mix of eclectic exhibitions, eco funk, and science wizardly, is constantly transformative but Keene has always managed to add coolness factor to it nonetheless, one year assembling the first ever music and spoken word showcase in the courtyard of the newly built Glass Lofts. This, even before the now popular Verde Restaurant and Catina had broken ground. Residents for blocks away commented how the melodic strains of Joy Ike's voice or the expressive vocal rhythms of spoken word came through their kitchen windows, and beckoned them down to the plaza. This year Keene is bringing a whole new crew to the GA/GI scene. From Speak Life he brings Co-founder Langston Kelly and Hip-Hop Educator, Reason. 

Kelly's persona is synonymous with gentleman, alien and traveler, all of which he feels describes him. While maintaining a sabatical from the 'burgh he continues to gather influences from New York and New Jersey to forge new adventures into the Speak Life experience.

Reason is a life-long lover of music and words, who brings a barrage of skills to table which include a unique emcee style and the ability to write songs. He found and honed his voice after participating in a cypher/jam session known as "Throwdown Thursday."  By the fall of 2013, Reason took a team of emcees to a competion that they easlily won, finishing with a perfect score. Today, with a degree in Elementary Education, he is both the Managing Editor of Speak Life, as well as a tutor for the Pittsburgh Montessori School. He recently released a freestyle cypher/jam project with emcee Rhetorical Artz, called Journeys in Conversation.