February 15th @ 7:00pm:   An enormously popular event in 2022, “An Evening of Rap, Hip-Hop & Poetry” returns for 2023, this time featuring five of Connecticut’s best-known spoken-word performers: Iyaba Ibo Mangingo, “Goddess” Tymani Rain, New London Poet Laureate Josh Brown (aka “AnUrbanNerd”), MayaRose, and Sharmont “Influence” Little. Ridgefield Poet Laureate Barb Jennes will host and lead a brief talk-back at the program’s conclusion.

IYABA IBO MANDINGO is a painter, poet, writer, actor, playwright, and Master Teaching Artist. In addition to three poetry chapbooks—41 Times, Amerikkkan Exile, and 40 days & 40 nites of write—Iyaba authored full-length poetry collection, You Tongue Heavy Lakka 56.

GODDESS TYMANI RAIN is a multifaceted artist who placed 3^rd in the 2023 Z Experience Poetry Slam and ranked 17^th in the 2021 International SIPS competition. Tymani currently hosts Poetz Realm Open Mic in Bridgeport on the 1st and 4th Wednesday of each month.

JOSH BROWN (aka AnUrbanNerd) is a rap and spoken-word artist who currently serves as the poet laureate of New London. Josh also directs the ScHOLA²RS House Learning Community, an organization focused on increasing the graduation rate of black men studying at UConn.

MAYAROSE has performed theatre, improv, and poetry throughout CT, NY, and LA. MayaRose’s first book, Poems from My Broken Heart, was published in 2016. She currently cohosts the Coffeehouse Speakeasy open mic at Studio Hill Gallery in Woodbury.

SHARMONT “INFLUENCE” LITTLE has won over 100 poetry slams nationwide. He was a five-time member of the CT slam team Verbal Slap, was the 2018 Connecticut Grand Slam Champion, and opened for the NAACP Image Awards in 2009.

Registration is encouraged.