Intimate Voices: Poetry Showcase + Open Mic

Inspired by the tradition of teahouses as places for storytelling and artistic expression, join us for a celebration of National Poetry Month with an evening uplifting the creative voices of our community. We’ll feature four incredible local poets and in between, the floor will open so anyone who’s feeling the call to share can step up and add their voice to the night.

This night is all about sharing stories, celebrating art, and creating a welcoming space for all voices. Whether you’re performing, or just soaking it all in, expect a night of inspiring poetry, all you can drink tea, and great company.

Doors open at 7:00 PM, with performances kicking off at 7:30 PM. If you want to share your poetry, be sure to arrive before 7:30 to sign up.

POETS

Amara Jackson @quietleader

Amara Jackson is a creative director, painter, poet, teacher, and entrepreneur whose work lives at the intersection of art, education, and empowerment. A proud graduate of California State University, Dominguez Hills, Amara earned her B.A. in English Literature and is currently pursuing her M.A. in Education at National University. Her poetry has echoed across Los Angeles, with performances that captivate and challenge, most recently taking the stage at the Gil Scott-Heron BLUESOLOGY tribute. Whether in the classroom, on canvas, or behind the mic, Amara is a storyteller committed to truth, beauty, and liberation.

Yana Rose @tatyanarose3

Yana Rose is a playful and poised writer, actor, and spoken word poet born and raised in the streets of Mount Clemens, Michigan, but currently based in the Greater Los Angeles area. Yana is  a contest finalist published by Poetry Nation and Systemic Dreaming. Also the star of not one, but two fully produced short films. Yana has hosted and produced a series of live events and open mics including ‘Espresso and Expressions’ and ‘Spill The Tea.’ She  has been a  semifinalist  in slams all over LA , Utah,  San Diego,  Vegas and now a proud member of the OC Slam team. Her first fully written manuscript entitled “I Told My Diary What You Did” is set to release this February. Reflecting what she values most, namely growth, self love, and unhinged life experiences. When not writing poetry you can find Yana reading dark romance novels and dancing in the rain.

Pastiche Queen @pastichequeen

Known for their groundbreaking approach as both a playwright and director, Pastiche has been featured on AppleTV’s “Dear: Viola Davis” and Facebook’s “Queer Community Leaders of Color Initiative.” Their recent one-person show, “Level One Gygax: The D&D Solo Show,” originally developed through the REDCAT Artist-in-Residency Program in 2022, garnered The Theatricum Botanicum Wordsmith Award for Advancing The Artform of Storytelling and multiple Producers’ Encore Awards.In the slam poetry scene, Pastiche has won multiple individual championship titles in California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Washington DC, and New York City. Pastiche is also a proud member of the West Hollywood Slam Team, which has achieved multiple championship titles on both national and local levels. You can catch Pastiche most Tuesday’s at Da Poetry Lounge at The Greenway Court Theater. You can also order their book, ‘Trans Velociraptors’, through The Los Angeles Press.

Juan Amador @thee_amador

Juan Amador is a spoken-word artist from South Central Los Angeles. He released his first poetry book titled “Pimping My Trauma” with Riot of Roses Publishing House. His work has been featured in several anthologies and captures the hearts of poets all over Los Angeles, Pomona to Long Beach. But most importantly, Juan Amador is a proud mommy’s boy.

This lineup of rad local poets are lovingly curated by Lilah who will also be facilitating the evening.