Power of the Word: Part 1 is a writing workshop, an open mic, and will feature jazz/poetry/spoken word performances. Please join us at Stone Temple Church at 3622 W. Douglas from 2pm-5pm on August 14th! The event is FREE. This program is made possible by a grant from the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events with funding from the Walder Foundation.
Part 1 Featuring:
Nikki Patin
Young Dru
Keli Stewart
Hunter Diamond
Marvin Tate
The Power of the Word is a 5-part performance event series that will focus on the power of the arts to amplify the voices of community members and artists in the fight against injustice and in sharing their experiences of healing from a year of trauma and loss. Now more than ever, people are using their voices to speak up against the atrocities of racism, homophobia, sexism, and other outdated ideas and structures. Often, finding one’s voice is facilitated by the arts. We want to encourage people to find and develop, and use their voice to usher in positive change. That can be accomplished via lyrically powerful music, poetry, storytelling, and other ways, which we will feature during this event.
Each program will begin with an open mic, open especially to youth. Next, there will be several performances featuring song, poetry, spoken word, and storytelling. We will end with a facilitated workshop in which audience members will have an opportunity to learn about journaling, civic action, and other ways that people can use to develop their own voice.
The events will take place in five different underserved neighborhoods: North Lawndale, New City, Avondale, Bronzeville, Washington Park, (three of which are Invest Southwest neighborhoods). Performances will be anchored by lead artists curated by Elastic. Other performers will be curated in collaboration with our local partners. We hope that these events become opportunities for development, empowering expression and celebration of the survival of resilient communities.
The first iteration will take place in North Lawndale in August. We will partner with community-member Keli Stewart and Front Porch Arts Center. The event will take place at
The Power of the Word is a 5-part performance event series that will focus on the power of the arts to amplify the voices of community members and artists in the fight against injustice and in sharing their experiences of healing from a year of trauma and loss. Now more than ever, people are using their voices to speak up against the atrocities of racism, homophobia, sexism, and other outdated ideas and structures. Often, finding one’s voice is facilitated by the arts. We want to encourage people to find and develop, and use their voice to usher in positive change. That can be accomplished via lyrically powerful music, poetry, storytelling, and other ways, which we will feature during this event.
Each program will begin with an open mic, open especially to youth. Next, there will be several performances featuring song, poetry, spoken word, and storytelling. We will end with a facilitated workshop in which audience members will have an opportunity to learn about journaling, civic action, and other ways that people can use to develop their own voice.
The events will take place in five different underserved neighborhoods: North Lawndale, New City, Avondale, Bronzeville, Washington Park, (three of which are Invest Southwest neighborhoods). Performances will be anchored by lead artists curated by Elastic. Other performers will be curated in collaboration with our local partners. We hope that these events become opportunities for development, empowering expression and celebration of the survival of resilient communities.
The first iteration will take place in North Lawndale in August. We will partner with community-member Keli Stewart and Front Porch Arts Center. The event will take place at Stone Temple Church at 3622 W. Douglas. We will use their new outdoor community space. The event will be anchored by West-side native and celebrated poet, singer, artist and educator, Marvin Tate, with whom we’ve worked on his Jazz On da Block event in Austin in 2019.
We will use their new outdoor community space. The event will be anchored by West-side native and celebrated poet, singer, artist and educator, Marvin Tate, with whom we’ve worked on his Jazz On da Block event in Austin in 2019.