Sonal Aggarwal

PHENOM

Elastic Arts, in partnership with Funkadesi & Strategic Inclusion Consulting,  through a generous #HealingIllinois grant, is hosting this FREE experiential 3-hour workshop. This guided session will curate activities to help participants find voice in sharing stories that reflect identity, experiences, and ancestral journeys. No previous writing/performing experience required - just a desire to further explore self-understanding and self-expression. Activities by gifted and caring facilitators will help identify and demystify the building blocks of creative expression. Co-led by emcee, educator, healer & spoken word artist PHENOM with comedian and storyteller Sonal Aggarwal, this is an empowering session that affirms each participant’s unique background and experience. The workshop will culminate with a collective spoken word piece to be performed collaboratively with participants and artists. Musical and facilitation support by Dr. Rahul Sharma. 

$FREE$ but RSVP Required - HERE

Artist Bios

PHENOM, born Teh’Ray Hale, learned to rhyme at age 13 in the back streets of Chicago. Influenced by legendary artists like Rakim, Nas, Common, Black Thought of the Legendary Roots, & Bob Marley, PHENOM has dedicated his life to not only being a top-tier performer, but also empowering the People through his music. He has mentored thousands of youth throughout the US. In the fall of 2017, PHENOM traveled to IRAQ as a cultural/ spiritual ambassador for Hip-Hop culture, which reinforced his goal to inspire change in the urban neighborhoods of Chicago and abroad. PHENOM started "EmceeSkool"; a rigorous 6 month curriculum where he trains young aspiring emcees/rappers to not only write and perform, but to deepen their understanding of social issues impacting their communities. PHENOM was awarded the Inaugural “BROTHER MIKE AWARD” for his excellent work as a youth mentor and his dedication to creating platforms, safe havens, guidance and opportunities for inner city youth and abroad.

Former international street performer turned emcee, Sonal Aggarwal has brought her talents to Chicago as an actor, comedian, producer and movement artist. Her one woman show The Alchemy of Bliss played for a sold out weekend at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theater. You can see her on Netflix’s Easy as well as the short A Period Piece which debuted at SXSW 2020. She is a regular host of the Moth. As an educator and performance instructor, she is passionate about humor and storytelling as vehicles for self-expression and empowerment.