Insight Arts kicks off its 2009 Women Out Loud! open mic series with readings from young and talented writers/performance artists  Rominna Villaseñor and Ni’ja Whitson on January 23, from 7 PM to 9 PM at the Center for New Possibilities, 1505 W. Morse. Women Out Loud is the longest-running open mic in Chicago for women and women-identified writers.

Rominna Villasenor is a growing Pilipina artist who dabbles with the disciplines of performance poetry and visual arts on occasion. Currently residing in Portage Park neighborhood, she was raised in Quezon City, Philippines and later found home in Albany Park. Gallery 37 generated her initial interests in working with acrylics and watercolor while Young Asians With Power fueled her passion for APIA activism through writing. She has considered these two organizations as second family since the early years of high school. In her spare time, she finds herself yearning for a cup of elotes and Margie’s ‘Bucktown’ ice cream.

Ni’Ja Whitson is a multi-disciplinary performance, dance, and visual artist placing theory and contemporary art practices in dialogue with Black and queer performance narratives.  Whitson received a double majored B.A. from Oberlin College and an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago studying performance, film/video, and installation.  Whitson recently completed a solo exhibition as a featured artist for Chicago Artist’s Month at the South Side Community Art Center, which included a three-hour durational and collaborative performance.  Whitson’s recent work explores theories of violence, surveillance, eroticism, and power via multi-media, writing and performance. Whitson’s awards include a Mellon Research Fellowship, 2007 Incubation! Chicago Performance Network nominee, and John G. Curtis Jr. Award.   

An open mic for women and women-identified poets, writers, and spoken word artists precedes the readings, and as always, men may applaud and cheer.  $5 suggested donation, $3 for open mic participants.

The CENTER FOR NEW POSSIBILITIES located at 1505 W Morse Avenue, is a space coordinated by Insight Arts, a contemporary arts organization dedicated to increasing access to cultural work that supports progressive social change. Our unique organizational model allows us to engage in community based, regional and national work.

For more information call (773) 973-1521 or send an email to info@insightartsliberation.org.