At La Peña we recognize that in order to create strong, free, and thriving communities, we need to create paths for creativity to be encouraged and properly developed. Our Empowering People of Color Open Mic series is a concrete way in which we celebrate and support emerging / local poets, musicians, dancers, comedians, and performers through a lens of equity and inclusivity!
This is a seasonal program that happens on second Fridays from 8pm to 10:30pm and hosts between sixteen to twenty artists per night. (Spring Season: February-April; Fall Season: October-December).
Check out all the past performances on the video playlist above! If you get inspired, you can sign up to perform on the next one at Lapena.info/EPOCOMsignup or get your tickets at Lapena.info/EPOCOM.
ARTISTS & PHOTOS BY DATE:
- October 2024: Good way to start our Fall Season! We decided to kick off this round by centering the generation that is pushing boldly and beautifully for the changes that we want to see in the world —youth! Featuring: Vinny G, After Aneglou (Vee, Betty and Naia), E13, Madher, Lilith Kelly, Bryan Dragon Heart, Oasada 3, Mel Earle, Sam Luo, Jay!, Vivian Owens, Ashanty Soto-Pulido, and Kiyomi. Event made in collaboration with Beats, Rhymes & Life. Photos by Fred Aube available HERE.
- April 2024: It’s a wrap! We ended our Spring Season with our first-ever Open Mic dedicated to youth (24 and under) and we can say with overflowing evidence that the talent around here is mind blowing! Featuring: Aleja Ajela, Skelybo, Prize Pbn Zaddy, Zainabi, Jay, Zuni Moon, Jared, Rozell the Bard, Mundo, Serena Griffin, Sehinne & Alana, and Marika Sage. Event made in collaboration with Beats, Rhymes & Life. Photos by Felipe Gama available HERE.
- February 2024: Great way to start a new season of our Open Mic Series! Featuring: DJada, Salima, Lyn, Darcel, Lyrics of the Art, Jewel Sanchez, Cat Caneda, Curandera Frida, Vicente Pérez, J.Cymone, Maya, Giddens, Versoul. Event made in collaboration with Beats, Rhymes & Life. Photos by Clara Pérez available HERE.
- December 2023: Another powerful season has come to an end! Featuring: DJada, Watzreal, Kieran Cabezas, Masala, Chantel Dominique, Big Gems Daughter, Ü-Żo and KyoSah, Didi, Doctora Xingona Diana Alvarez, Evolving Wings, Emma, and L.O.E. Gino. Event made in collaboration with Beats, Rhymes & Life. Photos by Fred Aube available here.
- October 2023: And we’re back!! This Fall Season is not kidding. Featuring: DJada, Honest in 10land, Lovejoy Devine, Sofia Magdalena, Amapola, Caguamão, Salima, Nina Mufleh, Tongo Eisen-Martin, Jo Alvarez, J.Rice, Serg, Laura del Fuego, Zainab Hussain, Esotérica Tropical. Event made in collaboration with Beats, Rhymes & Life. Photos by Clara Pérez available here.
- May 2023: What a way to wrap-up our Spring Season!! Featuring: The poetic activist, International Capoeira Angola Foundation (FICA), Jane Won, Jayla Greenbean, Serena Griffin, Agua/Agüita, Djeráe, Eunhae Han, Stacy G, Jo Alvarez, Eduardo Alvarez, Atosha_Enough, BoslayD Gocrazy, and Cadence Myles. Empanadas by Café Buenos Aires. Photos by Clara Pérez available here.
- April, 2023: Another memorable night at La Peña! Featuring: DJ Leydis, Pablo Quintero, Denise Masiel, Shanthi Guruswamy, Antonio Ferrer, Vida Manzo, Chie Kwon, Stacy Gee, Djérae Lucas, Gee Okonkwo, Anshu Gaur, Reyna Rising, Amapola Bolden, and Aguacero. Special collaborator: Berkeley Public Library. Photos by the wonderful Clara Pérez available here.
- February, 2023: Aaah, we still can’t get over how beautiful and powerful this event was! Seeing all the artists connect with the audience while sharing their craft and dreams with us fills our hearts with joy. Featuring: DJ Paise Bae, Faith Adiele, Xemara, Atosha Enough, Samiha, Adam Hudson, Diana Fu, Tierra Allen, V, Cadence Myles, AntifaSon, William Gómez, Tatsuya, Paradise the Poet, Jade Baas and Ky’ree Taylor, and DjeRae. If you missed it, do yourself a favor & watch the performances on the videos above! Photos by the wonderful Clara Pérez available here.
- December, 2022: Ufff, what a night! Thank you to all the amazing performers who shared their truth with us, you all made us feel like a different world is not only possible but in the making! Featuring: DJ Paisa Bae, Sylvia Blalock, Anshu Gaur & Luke, Des, Flo, Loa Niumeitolu, Jo Alvarado, Vidit Joy, Djérae, Yalda Melody, Cuagamao, Alyssa Girsang, Diana Medina, Jaz, Jade Baas, Ky’ree Jamal, Melissa Grasso & Jessica Martínez, and Dimebag Dizzy. Special shout-out to Cafe Colucci for the delicious food! Watch the performances below and see the photos by Clara Pérez HERE!
