Miss-Delectable

Deaf rapper coming to Chch | Stuff.co.nz

Internationally renowned Finnish deaf rapper, Signmark will perform for the first time in New Zealand as part of the Deaf Short Film Festival celebrations (6-7 May).

The musician, who combines sign language with music and lyrics, was the first deaf person to sign a recording deal with an international record company. His debut album, SignMark, was released in November 2006.

Signmark, who will perform at Christchurch's Addington Raceway Silk Lounge on 6 May, spreads his message in sign language over strong beats where hard, low frequencies and bass play a crucial part to his performance, helping him to follow the music and time his rhymes.

He released the world's first sign language hip-hop DVD in 2006 and now performs at public events and tours the world, entertaining deaf and hearing audiences alike. The talented musician will open the New Zealand deaf Short Film Festival, which runs from 6-7 May.

Deaf Short Film Festival committee member Jeremy Borland says Deaf filmmakers will bring one of the country's official languages, New Zealand Sign Language, to the big screen at Hoyts Riccarton in Christchurch. The festival's awards dinner will be held at Addington Raceway from 5pm on 7 May.


Borland, well known in Christchurch and throughout the country for his work interpreting during Christchurch earthquake media briefings, will be interpreting at the festival along with his colleague Evelyn Pateman.

"We are really looking forward to having something positive for the Deaf community to celebrate after such a difficult time with the earthquake," says Borland.

"The Signmark event will be a fantastic way to kick off the festival and a unique opportunity for people to see a musical performance in both English and Sign Language".

Borland says this year filmmakers must ensure that during their seven minute film a "New Zealand tomato sauce bottle" is in shot.


"So we are expecting there to be some interesting and creative uses of this staple Kiwi condiment," he says

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