Red Emma’s

“I choose to reflect the times and situations in which I find myself. That, to me, is my duty. And at this crucial time in our lives, when everything is so desperate, when everyday is a matter of survival, I don’t think you can help but be involved…How can you be an artist and not reflect the times? That to me is the definition of an artist.”  And there you have it, from Nina Simone.  Now let’s do it!  Join us for an online open mic of the theme, “Peace, Justice, Poetry!”  It’s a night of justice, conscious socio-political thought, family, survival and empowerment, spirit—whatever advances the village!  In the tradition of Emma Goldman’s “Mother Earth” magazine, come drop some rad “fiyah” on us, or contribute just with your presence and energy.  By the way: it’s a non-erotic venue, so rather than a love & erotica evening, we focus the night on justice and other matters of life.  And, almost needless to say, leave the misogyny, homophobia and other unnecessary ish outside! Representin’ in the feature slot this time will be the dynamic, un-boxable Aaron Jafferis!  Aaron is a hip-hop poet and playwright whose works Activist Songbook, The Ones, Trigger, (Be)longing, Stuck Elevator, How to Break, Kingdom, Shakespeare: The Remix, and No Lie have been produced or presented by The Old Globe, American Conservatory Theater, Long Wharf Theatre, Collective Consciousness Theatre and many others. Honors include a Creative Capital Award, Richard Rodgers Award, Sundance Institute/Time Warner Fellowship, NEFA National Theatre Project Grant, and multiple MacDowell Fellowships. A former Open Rap Slam champion at the National Poetry Slam Championships, Aaron is the founding artistic director of The Word poetry collective in New Haven (modeled after his mentor June Jordan’s Poetry for the People program), which supports young people using written and spoken word as engines for justice and liberation. www.aaronjafferis.com Holdin’ it down for the evening is Analysis—poet/spoken word artist, rad minister and bookseller, educator, justice & human rights person… Y’all know what’s up!  www.facebook.com/analysisthepoet  Twitter and Instagram: @analysisthepoet www.artistEcard.com/analysisthepoet CashApp: $AnalysisThePoet ZOOM LINK & MIC LIST: To sign up to receive the Zoom link, go to https://tinyurl.com/VibeListAugust2021.  The mic list sign up will be at that same location.  The Zoom link will be sent to you the day of the event.  If time permits we will take names onto the list during the event as well, after those who have signed up have performed.  One piece; five minutes limit. In lieu of our usual in-person collection to support the feature, PLEASE support the host and the artists directly (methods to be announced) in order to ensure the continuation of the venue.  SUPPORT THE ARTS!  And, of course, continue to support Red Emma’s! The evening is, indeed, brought to you by Red Emma’s Bookstore Coffeehouse, a worker-owned and collectively-operated restaurant, bookstore, and community events space located in Baltimore's Mt. Vernon neighborhood that is dedicated to putting principles of solidarity and sustainability into practice in a democratic workplace!  http://redemmas.org   https://www.facebook.com/redemmas  Twitter & Instagram: @redemmas Remember: PEACE, JUSTICE, POETRY!!  Will we see you there?  :)