Being Vocal Beyond the Vocal-Sphere

What happens when we search for connection and a way to support our communities around the globe? You get a night of poetry and love.

The Virtual Pop-Up Open Mic & Slam for Solidarity on May 1st will be a night of (re)connection and powerful words. And with your voice and support, together we will raise funds for the Sanabel Team, a non-profit organization that’s on the ground in Gaza, running essential kitchens and providing basic needs to those afflicted by the ongoing genocide in Palestine.

This night is all about coming together, and the magic of poetry. The spoken word is one that’ll resonate and echo throughout the world with a message for justice and peace.

But Oneg, how does it work?

Well fam, on May 1st at 7pm CST, folks from all over the world will click that magical link in their emails and join the zoom room of enchantment. Let's be real, us poet are frickin' word wizards. Gather us from around the globe and give us a virtual stage to share? Well, damn.

The open mic is available for all forms, whether you want to sing, share a story, do a stand-up bit, the stage is yours. For about 4 minutes. As the open mic will be happening, random audience judges will be chosen for the next part of the show.

The Poetry Slam

A poetry slam is an artistic competition where slammers have a time limit in which they convey a story or statement poetically. Majority of the spoken word poems prepared are written, though some may choose to improvise on stage. Slam doesn't have to rhyme; it is not a rap. Meaning no music, or props are allowed. Poems do not need to be memorized, but sometimes it might offer the slammer the chance to use their body language in a more conveying matter.

The slam has two rounds. Each poet has 3 minutes and 40 seconds to "spit their shit", and after the judges offer a score from 0-10. The lowest and highest score is dropped, for a round score out of 30 points.

In the second round, the slammers compete in reverse order. Why? I dunno. But that's how it's always been. Stop with the questions.

After, the scores from both rounds are totaled up and the top 3 slam poets are announced. And yes, there are cash prizes on the table.

What happens in between the rounds, Oneg?

I'm so glad you asked, random person. During this time, a featured artist takes the stage.

We will be featuring 2-Spirit baddie Ozhawa Anung Kwe from the Rankin reserve of Batchewana First Nation. They are a 2-Spirit leader, drag queen, comedian, and mental health advocate and educator.

They're beautiful image is in the top of this piece, and was created by the remarkable Kent Monkman. That's right, Kent. Monkman.

If you don't know who that is? Go do your freakin' research.

Anyhow, during the feature set, the slammers have a chance to review their next round poems. Or totally just enjoy the show. Cause I would. Trust.

Why are you doing all this?

We have three main goals for this event:

1. Share Mindful & Meaningful Space Together

2. Support Poets & Writers

3. Fundraise for the Sanabel Team in Gaza

Who is the Sanabel Team?

The Sanabel is a Palestinian-led Mutual Aid Initiative, dedicated to Serving Gaza. They run free kitchen, deliver groceries to families, support families with cash donations and necessities, and more.

"This team all started with Osama; an activist from Gaza that began in his small city of Khan Younis, helping families in need. These community-based efforts have expanded since 2018, serving thousands of Palestinians from funding education, feeding many families, and proving necessities over the years."

With the ongoing genocide in Gaza, we believe it is our humane duty to support and advocate for the Palestinian cause. Palestinians deserve to live just as much as anyone else. Sadly, not all think this way, and so they strip resources and well-being.

The Sanabel Team works through bombing and gunfire, through inhumane conditions and lack of supplies, to feed the starving families and those who have lost so much.

Poetry is healing. And so, we want to come together, not just for each other in this chaotic world, but also for the people in Gaza who needs us to speak up, and keep speaking up.

Who's running this whole event and how do I join and support?

This online event is hosted by your favorite Vocal creators R.C. Taylor, Muchtar Suryawan, myself (Oneg in the Arctic / The Wallflower), along with non-Vocal member, Karen Au Haq. This event is also in collaboration with Queer Vocal Voices.

To attend the event, you must register in order to receive the link, as well as for added security to avoid bad actors and boogerbotbrains.

Registration is open until 30 minutes into the event. So get your tickets now.

You can find out more about the event and how to register below:

Some of our promotional materials: