Word up

It's been 20 years since Sister Spit came together in San Francisco, unleashing its funny, pointed, smart and often emotional brand of spoken-word and performance art.

With a focus on all things feminist, LGBT, political and cultural, the collective's performed at festivals, open-mics and readings throughout the United States.

The alternative-weekly newspaper Boston Phoenix once praised the group as “the coolest (and cutest) line-up of talented, tattooed, pierced, and purple-pigtailed performance artists the Bay Area has to offer.”

OK, sure, but that's kind of missing the point.

Yes, the group boasts some attractive ladies, but it's the thoughts, ideas and pure performance chutzpah that makes this collective a must-watch.

And now's your chance. Sister Spit: The Next Generation, which formed in 2007 after the initial group disbanded in 2006, just hit the road for a tour that includes stops at various indie art spaces and colleges, including Sacramento State University on Thursday, April 3.

Performers include author and Sister Spit co-founder Michelle Tea, fat activist Virgie Tovar and playwright Chinaka Hodge (pictured). Writer-filmmaker-musician Beth Lisick hosts.

Expect the show to touch on topics such as sexuality, gender politics, body image and race. You know, just the usual small talk. No cover, 7:30 p.m. at Sacramento State University Union Ballroom, 6000 J Street; www.facebook.com/sisterspit.