Feb 22 2020
Open Mic at Akron Soul Train featuring Damien McClendon

Open Mic at Akron Soul Train featuring Damien McClendon

Presented by Akron Soul Train and VIBE Collective at Akron Soul Train

Damien McClendon was awarded an Akron Soul Train residency and begins the 2020 season writing and revising poems that examine racism, poverty, masculinity and fatherhood.  He states, “My work seeks to create confrontations with power. Using narrative, creativity and compelling performance to call out systems of oppression, to reach back and remember the lessons of my ancestors, and to answer the questions I struggle with as a poor, Black father. My work explores the penalty and privilege in being a Black male and the transformation of my ideas of masculinity and Blackness.”

As part of an Akron Soul Train residency, artists are asked to develop a community engagement component.  AST teamed up with the creatives at Vibe Collective for a professional development writing workshop offered by Damien with prompts such as: childhood, parenthood, family or chosen family.  Workshop participants as well as the public are invited to share their pieces at Open MicThe public will share first, then our feature poet, Damien, will begin at 8pm.

Admission Info

Free Admission

Dates & Times

2020/02/22 - 2020/02/22

Additional time info:

Open Mic begins with the public sharing prose and poetry.  Damien is set to begin around 8pm.

Location Info

Akron Soul Train

191 King James Way (S. Main St.), Akron, OH 44308