May 15, 2014 – Soul Sounds Open Mic with brilyahnt peace
May 1, 2014
brilyahnt peace is a North Minneapolis native, currently exploring the solar—stars and spirit. A former student of the University of Minnesota and a (soon exiting) member of Voices Merging, she is on an ongoing journey to grow, heal, and speak. Poetry is her meditation and lifeline. Truth is her seed. Peace.
May 8, 2014 – Soul Sounds Open Mic with Leah Clark
May 1, 2014
Leah Clark is a solo acoustic artist that passionately writes her own music. She's been playing guitar and writing songs for over five years now and is looking to break out of her shell to share her music with anyone that will listen. In her free time she likes to swing in the park, spend time with family and friends, and take naps with her cat, Walter.
May 1, 2014 – Soul Sounds Open Mic with Mic RNS and writing workshop
May 1, 2014
"My love for words began in elementary. I've been in special poetry/writing groups since I can remember because I've always been an "above average writer". I also grew up surrounded by hip hop—so becoming an MC was almost inevitable. Though Just Cause is my first official project, I have been recording/writing rhymes since I was 14. I am finally at a point in my life where I feel comfortable with who I am as an artist and can actually afford to put myself out there. Let's be honest here, being an MC is expensive."
April 17, 2014 – Soul Sounds Open Mic featuring Save the Kids
April 23, 2014
Save the Kids (STK), founded in 2009, is an all-volunteer, national grass-roots organization dedicated to alternatives to, and the end of, the incarceration of all youth and the school to prison pipeline. STK is grounded in youth justice, transformative justice, and Hip Hop activism.
April 17, 2014 – Soul Sounds Open Mic’s National Poetry Month Celebration
April 13, 2014
Tonight we honor the reason we are in the room! April is National Poetry Month and, tonight, we honor the poets. Bring your favorite poem or poem number seventeen in your 30/30 series or just listen as we fill the space with new, old, polished, and imperfectly perfect poems from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. It is going to be great!
April 10, 2014 – Soul Sounds Open Mic featuring the Be Heard MN Youth Slam Team
April 10, 2014
From January to March 2014, over one hundred young Minnesotans were deeply engaged in the Be Heard MN Youth Poetry Slam Series, a program of TruArtSpeaks. The slam identifies six young people to represent the State of Minnesota in the international Brave New Voices Youth Poetry Slam Festival. Tonight, Soul Sounds Open Mic will host a few of the team members and engage with them about their experience as youth poets throughout the process, while also listening to and experiencing their art.
April 3, 2014 – Soul Sounds Open Mic featuring Mark K. Tilsen with Writing Workshop
April 2, 2014
Mark Kenneth Tilsen is a Jewish Oglala Lakota poet and philosopher born on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. He currently is studying at Hamline University and trying to find a way back home after graduation. A sometimes activist, he can be found scribbling in his notebook at Kopplin's coffee house when hiding from irate professors.
March 27, 2014 – Soul Sounds Open Mic presents “Words on Womyn”
March 21, 2014
Tonight is a night of true celebration! Tonight, we honor the womyn in our lives—those who teach us, those who taught us, those challenge us, those who birthed us, and those who spit fire on the mic and make our jaws drop! Bring all of your favorite material by womyn writers or bring an ode to womyn, a womyn, or just bring yourself in the spirit of honoring these beautiful souls. We can't wait to see you!
March 20, 2014 – Soul Sounds Open Mic with Liz Lassiter
March 8, 2014
Music, to Liz Lassiter, is purpose. Music is transformative. Music is a process for all spirits involved in creating it. Ultimately, music defines itself differently for different people and that is the beauty of it.
March 13, 2014 – Soul Sounds Open Mic with Mahmoud El-Kati/Sankofa Series
March 8, 2014
MAHMOUD EL-KATI is a lecturer, author, and commentator on the African American experience. El-Kati is Professor Emeritus of History at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. El-Kati hosts a weekly public affairs radio show called “Reflections and Connections” on KMOJ radio in the Northside of Minneapolis. He also moderates a monthly viewing and discussion on various Black classic films at the Fourth Fridays at the Movies held at Golden Thyme Cafe in St. Paul.
March 6, 2014 – Soul Sounds Open Mic with Andrea Jenkins and writing workshop
March 3, 2014
Andrea Jenkins is a poet and writer living and working in the Twin Cities. She is currently employed by the Minneapolis City Council as a Senior Policy Aide. As an African American, Out Transgender Woman she has faced her share of significant challenges, however she continues to move on with grace, dignity, and pride. She has performed with Leslie Feinberg, Kate Bornstien and Minnie Bruce Pratt to name a few.
February 27, 2014 – Soul Sounds Open Mic: “Voices from the Margins”
February 12, 2014
A mic dedicated to more radical poetry. A mic that looks back on the poetry of the Harlem Renaissance, the Beat Generation, early protest Hip Hop and all of the new contemporary and potent forms of protest & testimonial poetry/music. We want to hear from those who have had to force their way to center stage. We want to hear what is on the heart of the people. This is your microphone.