Indigenous Open Mic Poetry Night
Event description
- Arts and entertainment
- Campus life
- Free
- Open to the public
Calling all creative writers, poets and performing artists! On Thursday, Feb. 6 from 6 to 8 p.m., the Labriola National American Indian Data Center will be hosting our biannual open mic. We are honored to have 2015-2017 Navajo Nation Poet Laureate Laura Tohe (Diné) read at the Open Mic.
"A poet, writer, and librettist, Tohe's work has been published in such journals as "Ploughshares," "New Letters," "cream city review," "Red Ink," "World Literature Today" and many others. Her work has appeared in the U.S., Canada, South America and in Europe with French, Dutch and Italian translations. She has read her poetry internationally in the U.S., Europe, and South America. Laura holds a doctorate degree in creative writing, Indigenous American Literature, and American Literature. In 2015 Laura was honored as the Navajo Nation Poet Laureate for 2015-2017, a title given to her in celebration and recognition of her work as a poet and writer."
In addition to Laura Tohe, we have three other featured poets who will also read: Isaiah Rodriguez, Yitazba Leigh and Ruben Cu:k Ba'ak.
Ruben Cu:k Ba'ak is a Traditional Tohono O’odham member from Sells, Arizona. He leads Emerging Beyond Genocidal Colonization, a virtual poetry series featuring Indigenous writers. He is an advocate for restoration from personal trauma as well as de-victimizing oneself from historical trauma. Pulling from his own personal experience with addiction, Ruben helps others who struggle with addiction and alcoholism, violence, and toxic lifestyles so that they can change their lives. He hopes to invoke truth and empowerment with his poetry for Native Americans and future generations. We will be sharing more info on the other featured poets soon!
Between readers, volunteers are welcome to read either their own poetry or from our Open Stacks. We welcome alternative performances as well, such as music, rap and spoken word. Volunteers can sign up for reading at the Welcome Desk the night of the Open Mic.
We look forward to seeing you there!