Join us for a special Friday night poetry show as we delve into LA Stories: Music is History with Mike the PoeT. Inspired by Questlove’s Music is History, this night will be an exploration through spoken word of the history of music in LA, from the jazz era on Central Avenue to the punk scene of the 70s and 80s, to the bands from Laurel Canyon and homegrown Latinx acts.
Grand Performances Amphitheater
For Location, Parking & FAQ, click here
Los Angeles has always lifted a mirror to society and the world through the arts, and will continue through the events of today. If you love music and Los Angeles, this will be a beautiful intimate journey in the Grand Performances Amphitheater. Mike the Poet will be our tour guide through the years, neighborhoods, and musical movements.
Poets:
BESSKEPP
Bridgette Bianca
F. Douglas Brown
Rocio Carlos
Michael C. Ford
Nikolai Garcia
Ruben Guevara
Marjorie Light
Phillip Martin
Dante Mitchell
Luivette Resto
Vickie Vertiz
DJ:
Gingee
Hosted by:
Mike the PoeT
Live painting performance:
Man One
About Mike the PoeT
Mike Sonksen, aka Mike the PoeT, is an acclaimed poet, professor, journalist, historian and tour guide. He has published over 500 essays and poems, most recently two excerpts in Dear California: The Golden State in Diaries and Letters, (Stanford University Press, September 2023). He has delivered over 2,000 poetry readings, served as guest speaker at over 100 academic institutions, appeared on radio and television and hosted events in locations like Grand Performances and Getty Center. His latest book, Letters To My City was published by Writ Large Press.
DJ set by Gingee
This project was made possible in part by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture as part of Creative Recovery LA, an initiative funded by the American Rescue Plan, The Green Foundation, The Norris Foundation, a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, and with support from California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit www.calhum.org.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of California Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.
