Inspired by the 2025 Mississippi Invitational exhibition Call Home, join us as local poets, musician, and performers interpret the theme “home” for a night of creative storytelling.  

FREE and open to the public.

** If you are interested in performing at Open Mic Night, please register as an “Open Mic Performer.” Throughout the night, names will be randomly drawn from a hat, and each performer will be allotted five minutes for their presentation.

Please note that because of the limited time, registering as a performer does not guarantee stage time.

About the Emcee
Amanda Furdge is a God fearing and God full Black Mississippian organizer, revolutionary, and cultural worker. At thirty-seven years old, she is a leading figure in the universal Black Arts Movement and has written, published, and contributed to countless creative expressions of her own as well as many others across the globe, working to design and create projects that take the art and culture of poetry beyond the page and enlivens the reader and hearers experience. Recently, Amanda is in performance with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra as Poet in Residence for the Phillis Wheatly Poetry Festival which celebrated 50 years in 2023. Her spirit-art-culture foundation is built on her early study and practices of dance, theater arts, and music. She is the daughter and granddaughter of southern Black educators, pastors and entrepreneurs. Amanda considers her most noteworthy accomplishments to be found within the eyes, smiles, ideas, and attitudes of her three beloved sons Titan, Mega and Seven.

Nothing is more valuable, liberating or empowering to Amanda than love.