MARN is pleased to announce ‘Spring Into Poetry,’ an poetry showcase hosted by Kavon Cortez Jones (Kj) on Saturday, April 6, 2024 from 6-8PM at the MARN ART + CULTURE HUB. Doors are open at 5pm to mingle with vendors and the performers.
This National Poetry Month Showcase will activate writers and poets, celebrate and inspire others to become a part of the scribe culture.
Performers include: Mario ‘the Poet’ Willis, Shelly Conley, Ajamou Butler, and Blue Lotus.
Showcasing work by La Revo Books and Genre: Urban Arts!
Join us!
Tickets Available for Purchase
$15 for MARN members
$20 for General Public
Follow the contributors on Instagram: @kavoncortezjones @abutlermke @mariothepoet @boutmybizz @openmindsopenbooks61 @genreurbanarts @larevobooks @_bluelotusblossom_
ABOUT
Kavon Cortez Jones (Kj) was born on September 26th, 1994 the same year as Bucks forward Giannis in a city he calls, Paris of the Midwest. He is a Milwaukee homegrown poet, avid biker, and storyteller who was born and grew up in Milwaukee. Young Kj was inspired to write poetry in 7th grade while attending Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. K-8 School thanks to local mentors Kwabena Nixon and Muhibb Dyer. Kwabena & Muhibb visited his school when he was 13-years-old, and wowed a gymnasium full of angsty-teenagers with poetic storytelling. Their stories talked about everything from losing loved ones to gun violence, to how jump rope, particularly Double-Dutch, is a lost art form. Muhibb wore an orange jumpsuit and Kwabena brought a jump rope which made the visual performance more intense and tear-jerking. Lupe Fiasco's Superstar, a 2007 hit song around the time was another catalyst to indulge him into the scribe culture.
Kj has not stopped writing since then. He's accumulated over a 100 composition notebooks in the past 16-years of not just poetry, but plays, stories, songs, drawings, whatever his imagination can regurgitate on the page. His juvenilia sit wonderfully gathering dust within his cluttered room of poetry books alongside a Jimi Hendrix and Prince poster to name a few. He pulls them out once and a while and a nostalgic cry waterfalls down his face.
Kj also found his voice as a poet through his Riverside University High School years in English teacher Paul Moga's after school poetry club, HyPOETically Thinking (2009-2013). He took a break after high school and started to perform all over Paris; Riverwest DIY punk rock venues, local colleges like Alverno, UWM, Marquette, art galleries, bookstores, coffee shops and so forth. His passion even earned him a spot on Wisconsin's Brave New Voices team for a youth poetry competition in Philadelphia, Summer 2014, age 19. He met youth poets from all over the U.S and the world like Miami, New York, California and even an amazing South African SLAM team. Sarah Kay, his favorite contemporary poet from Manhattan took a picture with him.
Kavon Cortez Jones is 29-years-old now and still lives in Milwaukee spreading peace and love to all who lend an ear. You can catch him in homegrown cafes and bars writing and biking with Red Bike & Green’s Ammar Nsoroma around town talking to local luminaries who make MKE great and him special. Do not be hesitant to say hi…
Ajamou Butler, Brother born and raised on Milwaukee's Northside, scholar and lecturer, has always been one to progress from his pain. Growing up in Milwaukee's notorious 53206 zip code, Butler was exposed to the uglier sides of poverty. His experiences with poverty up-close as a child have shaped his outlook on life as an adult. In May 2012, Ajamou launched his Non-Profit organization, Heal the Hood MKE. Heal the Hood MKE has grown to be an example of pushing against social injustice and rewriting the narrative of inner-city Milwaukee. Heal the Hood MKE has 2 Major arms: 1) their Annual Block Parties/Outreach Fairs and 2) their in-school workshop series called "We are Not Poets, We Are Messengers!”
Ajamou Butler is known to use his experiences as a Black Man in Milwaukee and his spirituality mixed together to come up with his own unique style of spoken word ministry and workshop facilitation. Mr. Butler is an international traveler and an international educator, a 6x self-published author, a brother, a father, a child of God and a community activist who lives by the motto "Heal the Hearts, Heal the Homes, Heal the Hoods"!
Mario “The Poet” Willis is a poet, podcaster and spoken word artist. A Milwaukee native, Mario has been featured throughout the city and the Midwest as a spoken word artist, writing guide and performance coach. He is a two-time member of Milwaukee's National Poetry Slam Team and currently serves as the Milwaukee Public Library Poet Laureate (2022-2024). Mario’s motto “Don’t Panic, Be Awesome” has become his life’s work through his writing and philanthropy.
Shelly Conley, Milwaukee native, has always had a Love for words. Born with a unique balance of creativity and structure, Shelly uses her creative gift of poetry and writing to encourage,empower, and celebrate the culture.
She graced her first public stage in 2003 and has never stopped performing. Shelly is a 7 time member of Milwaukee’s National Poetry Slam Team. Her talent has led her to many features,shows and collaborations with local and national talent. She’s known by her listeners as “gifted","inspirational", “illustrator" and "amazing", to quote a few. Her writing is reflective, forgiving and creates a call to action for the listeners.
With more than 20 years of experience working with youth and young adults in various capacities, Shelly encourages individuals to be honest and introspective, to forgive themselves and others, and to operate from a space of Love– especially when it’s difficult. Since 2014,Shelly has served as Program Director and Co-facilitator for My Sista’s KeepHer (MSK). MSK isa youth empowerment organization that uses poetry and writing to encourage young girls and women of all ages to discover the healing power of their voice, and recover from the effects of trauma. Through a series of intentionally designed workshops and events, participants are equipped with measurable tools and support to help transform their lives.
Shelly co-authored A JOURNEY TO HEAL SELF HEAL HER through MSK and in December of2023 she launched REWIND-A CATHARTIC AUTOBIOGRAPHY which is available atshellyconley.com
Shana 'Blue Lotus' Wilson is a poet, licensed massage therapist, spoken word artist, and creative. She's passionate about genuine connection, good music, (the many and varied ways of) healing, love, and creative expression. When the weather allows, she can usually be found near a body of water playing one of her singing bowls or her Djembe named Ocean. Shana has been a lover of words since the age of 7 and has been featured throughout Milwaukee and beyond with her poetry over the years. She uses her voice and sound to encourage healing, reflection, and hope.