Hi Friends,
I am amazed that it has been 30 years since I began this journey of love and community service. I was only 25 years old when I published my first book, Punany: The HIP Hop Psalms, a passionate and controversial approach to AIDS awareness, and brought artists together for performances inspired by the book. Dr. Raquel Monroe, then a graduate student at UCLA, brilliantly described The Punany Project as an urban adaptation of Augusto Boal's Theater of the Oppressed in her Ph.D. dissertation U.E.A.T. Urban Erotic Activist Theater. Since then, I have published numerous books and created many shows on a myriad of subjects.
The most rewarding part of my work has been creating training and work opportunities for young adults in the arts. This is why I created Y.A.P.P. (Young Adult Producers' Program) and HIP Soul Fest. This Valentine's Day, I am bringing some of the singers to Chicago to perform at the Bughouse Theater on Feb 14th & 15th.
I am curating this opportunity to connect with talent and organizations in Chicago. In anticipation of bringing HIP Soul Fest to Chicago this summer, and our organizational plans to relocate to the area, this Valentine's Day will be a celebration of love, community, and new friendships.
If you still need to make Valentine's Day plans, this is a great chance to add music, poetry, and romantic games to your date night while supporting a very worthy cause.
~ Learn more about HIP Soul Fest at www.hipsoulfest.org.
~ Plan your perfect date night at CoffyLove.com.
~ Visit hipinc.org to connect and stand with us on creative community business.
Opportunities:
~ Sponsor or rent space in Chicago to us, beginning July 2025
~ Help us convert our 22-passenger bus into Chi City Cafe, a rolling vessel, employing Business, Art & Work Efficacy Curriculum for young adult creatives
~ Write Grants
~ Develop & Produce Curriculum
~ Suggest a senior home for a musical performance
~ Join the HIP Soul Fest Planning Committee/Vend/Sponsor
~ Recommend musicians.
~ Book a Literary Salon / Book Signing / Stock our books.
~ Share your story with Voices of Foster Care at Voicesoffostercare.com.
Below you will find a video of one of HIP Soul Fest's headliners, Soul Singer, Karis Lovechild.
If you made it this far in the lengthy update, you are so great!
Respectfully yours,
Jessica Holter