History will be made on Saturday April 19th when Evolution Dopen Mic is headlined by the inaugural author of our publishing branch, Beyond 28: Poet King Mariah Ayscue, whose third poetry collection, WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN is available now on EvoluCulture.com.
Our signature 10-slot open mic list will be available for sign ups at the door. All poets, singers, emcees, comedians, dancers and more are welcome to sign up and show out.
There will also be the EvoluGame, where audience members come up and compete for a prize.
Hosted by our Sean Battle
with sounds by DopenDJ Don Krypton
Snacks and Mocktails included in ticket price.
with hot food for purchase by Issy’s Sweet and Treats.
Doors Open: 6:30PM
Doors Close: 8:00PM
Showtime: 7:00PM to 10:00PM
About the Feature
Mariah Ayscue (he/king) is a Black, Trans, Intersex, Artist, Activist, and mental health advocate from Montclair NJ. He also identifies as a Christian Witch, Disco Ball Dyke, Pansexual pancake, and a Demisexual dream that is expressed through his poetry. Also an author, Mariah’s latest full-length poetry collection WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN is the first book to be published by Beyond 28 Publishing, a branch of EvoluCulture Ventures.
Mariah runs the TRANStory sanctuary program and T4T BRICKHOUSE with Out Montclair which allows for free workshops and poetry features for transgender, NB/ENBY, and gender nonconforming people in New Jersey. He has also worked with The Nuyorican Poets Cafe community, Ameerah Shabazz-Bilal (artistic director of When Women Speak), Rescue Poetix (former poet laureate of Jersey City), Talena Lachelle Queen (poet laureate of Paterson) to create safe spaces where poetry can help us express our many intersections and learn from each other. Mariah wants to reclaim the narratives, education, and healing of the QTBIPOC community. It is the work he wants to do for the rest of his life.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Evolution Dopen Mic is the flagship show of EvoluCulture Ventures and one of the longest running open mics in Newark, NJ. Hosted by CEO and Founder Sean Battle, Dopen embodies our mission of holding space for artists and art lovers to connect, form, and express community. Though poetry is the foundation, all performing artists are welcome to sign up and show out.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
Born and Based in Newark, NJ, EvoluCulture Ventures aims to hold space for artists and art lovers. Programming includes open mics, showcases, workshops, art exhibitions, mental health check-in sessions and more. The name comes in part from a quote by WWE Superstar, Triple H: “In life, you either adapt, or you perish; that is evolution."
