Social justice open mic set for Wednesday at Casa
The third day of Ohio University Martin Luther King Jr. Week takes a soulful approach with performances of artful interpretations.
The Creative Arts as Activism Social-Justice Themed Open-Mic Night will be held on Wednesday at Casa Nueva, 6 W. State St., for those with activism and artistic interest.
“It’s an opportunity for faculty, staff, students and members of the community to express themselves and display their view of social justice on stage,” said Ebony Porter, a graduate assistant at the Allen Student Advising Center. “MLK was a great civil activist and we’re honoring that.”
Porter said participants will perform with musical instruments, spoken word performances, songs and even dancing.
“This is something we did last year,” said George Mauzy,the head of of the Creative Arts Activism committee and fifth-year member of the MLK celebration committee. “It’s a way to celebrate. It’s a way to have the people come out and express their talents – their unique talents.”
The event allows performers to express themselves through art in celebration and support of the holiday week.
“We’ll have poets recite on Martin Luther King Jr. or on social justice in general,” Porter said. “We’re really excited for people to come out and watch or perform.”
The Office for Diversity and Inclusion sponsors the event along with the Martin Luther King Celebration Planning Committee.
“Last year, it was enjoyable,” Mauzy said. “It was a good night. There were people who sung songs about the struggle – Negro spiritual and the struggle for equal rights. There are talks, there are discussions in the struggle for equal rights. It’s a chance for people to express themselves, and it’s for the arts.”
Porter said sign-ups will continue until the event takes place.
“Athens is a community for openness and new ideas,” Porter said. “It’s great to see support, and (I) would love for more to come out and attend.”
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