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Performance Sat Mar 20 2010
Lethal Poetry's "Night of Sight & Sound"
Because school arts programs are virtually non-existent, keeping arts in the community is crucial for youth; it provides them with future opportunities and teaches them teamwork, social skills, and familiarity with other cultures--something that Mojdeh, President and Curator of Lethal Poetry, Inc., understands all too well.
Lethal Poetry is an interdisciplinary arts organization that goes "beyond entertainment and into the cause." "Our vision is to bring many Chicago artists together to activate them as social activists," says Mojdeh. "Also, we create a model that shows the benefits of for-profit organizations working with the nonprofit sector when it comes to the arts."
For Lethal Poetry, bridging the gap between for-profits and non-profits is vital to preserving arts in the community, and for Mojdeh, that gap must continue to narrow. "We [tend to] ask the government for everything, but we should be doing this ourselves, she says." "There are great benefits to working non-profits, too, like cross-promotion, and growing your network."
To continue its mission to strengthen the relationship between art, non-profits and corporate organizations, Lethal Poetry present its "Night of Sight and Sound," a "mini festival of arts" with performances across the spectrum including spoken word, visual art, and music. "We are partnering Rock for Kids, an organization that offers orchestra and band lessons, and they also have volunteers there who teach things like positive hip hop songs to kids," says Mojdeh. "Kids need this to break out of their frustration, so basically, we are filling in the gap where the schools and other institutions fall short."
Two heavyweights in the world of spoken word will perform at "Night of Sight and Sound": famed artist Saul Williams and Chicago's own, Malik Yusef. "I'm excited about Malik--he's very talented," says Mojdeh.
The artists in the show share the passion to give back, and for Mojdeh, that is what makes the difference. "Even though a lot of these folks have come into my life in strange ways, they're very community-oriented."
And for the community, that's where it all begins.
"Night of Sight and Sound" is Saturday, Mar. 27, at The Kinetic Playground, 1113 W. Lawrence. Advance tickets are $25 ($30 at the door) for the entire event and after party Doors open at 6pm.
