Our monthly open mic night invites emerging artists from campus and the community to showcase their work alongside engaging, intriguing, and always impressive spoken word poets from the national scene.
Hosted by acclaimed spoken word performer Lyrical Faith, Bright Moments Spoken Word Night invariably offers a mix of lively, inspiring, and thought-provoking poets as well as DJ entertainment and more. Details on each month’s featured guest performers are announced on the Fine Arts Center website as soon as they’re confirmed.
Wesley Frazier-Keys
Thursday, September 25, 6 p.m.
Two-time Chicago Grand Slam champion Wesley Frazier-Keys is a native of Chicago's South Side, a proud graduate of Chicago Public Schools, and a prominent poet and spoken word artist and educator. In 2015, Frazier-Keys placed sixth out of two hundred poets at the Southern Fried Poetry Festival; in 2018, he coached Chicago’s team at the National Poetry Slam; and in 2021, he once again reached the finals at the Southern Fried Poetry Festival. Frazier-Keys is a member of the nonprofit poetry organization, The Collective. His work often reflects personal experiences and cultural heritage, as showcased in performances like "Granny's Pie.”
Open mic sign-up 5:30 p.m.
Randolph W. Bromery Center for the Arts lobby
Free and open to the public. Registration required.
Ten Thousand and Bianca L. McGraw
Thursday, October 30, 6 p.m.
Bianca L. McGraw is a multimedia installation/performance artist, poet, educator, higher education advocate, and diversity presenter. They use art, poetry, and performance to discuss identity, diversity, and personal, societal, and communal experiences. McGraw has showcased their messages in the United States, Canada, France, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.
Marquis “Ten Thousand” Burton is a poet, visual artist, and educator from Buffalo, New York. He dedicates his creative energy to helping adults and children discover their creative voices, while mentoring local poets and poetry teams competing on international and national stages. Offstage, Ten Thousand collaborates with artists to curate multimedia experiences that explore healing, joy, and the human experience.
Open mic sign-up 5:30 p.m.
Randolph W. Bromery Center for the Arts lobby
Free and open to the public. Registration required.