Poet
Beyond the Grave: Spoken Word Performance (Rescheduled)
Saturday, May 29, 2021,
4pm - 5pm
$20 General Admission | $12 MAH Members
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Join the MAH's new series of multidisciplinary performances at Evergreen Cemetery as artists connect Santa Cruz County's past with the present moment.
Artists and performers introduce new, site-specific work for this series of intimate performances. Inspired by the stories and landscape of the historic Evergreen Cemetery, dancers, spoken word artists, and musicians reimagine the space with new commissions.
- April 10th & 11th | Musical Performances
- April 24th & 25th* | Spoken Word Artists
- May 15th & 16th | Ancestral Healing Ceremony
*Rescheduled for Saturday, May 29th due to Rain Cancellation
Spoken Word Performance
Join poets and spoken word artists Jamey Williams (Jamey the Poet), Bene’t Benton, and Jasmine Schlaftke (Queen Jasmeen) as they present newly commissioned work inspired by historic Evergreen Cemetery and the people buried there. Each artist will perform two new pieces, and share the inspiration for their work. From unmarked tombstones to present racial injustices, this powerful event will inspire and connect us to the people – past and present – of Santa Cruz County.
This event was originally scheduled for May 29th but was rescheduled due to weather constraints on April 25th.
Performing Artists
Support for the MAH's performing arts programming is provided by the William & Flora Hewlett Foundation.
Spoken Word Artist
Bene’t Benton
Queen Jasmeen
Jasmine Schlaftke
Performance Details
Jamey Williams
- Jamey will be speaking to the Black Lives Matter Movement and the ongoing police brutality Black Americans face. He wishes to acknowledge and celebrate the fact that our ancestors are always with us.
Bene’t Benton
- Bene’t's piece points to the power found in repurposing a space for community connection. Celebrating life in a space that is normally used for mourning, Bene't hopes that changing our association of cemeteries like Evergreen will lead to a deeper appreciation of life after being and living through a pandemic.
Jasmine Schlaftke
- Jasmine has prepared a poem about one of the few black people buried in the cemetery, George Chester. Sharing his story in connection to the "American Dream" that exists for people of color. She will also speak to Evergreen's Chinese family section share a poem about Asian erasure in our history and in Santa Cruz.
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Seating is limited – this event series is limited to 30 guests per performance.
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Event FAQ
Yes, to maintain social distancing we will have seats grouped together by party. If you hope to sit near friends or family, we recommend purchasing your tickets under one name through one transaction. We are happy to make reasonable accommodations if you reach out to Learning & Engagement Manager, Jamie Keil -jamie@santacruzmah.org prior to the event. Get in touch early to reserve your seating arrangement.
For questions, concerns, or requests regarding a disability-related accommodation please contact Learning & Engagement Manager, Jamie Keil -jamie@santacruzmah.org.
Let's continue to care for another as we enjoy this outdoor event. We will have hand sanitizer readily available, a no-contact check-in process, and masks will be required on-site.
To maintain social distancing during the event seats will be grouped by your Eventbrite reservation and spaced 6ft apart from other groups.
No, but there is a public restroom about a 5 minute walk from the event at Harvey West Park.
No, in the case of rain we will reschedule the event for May 22nd & 23rd. You will be contacted prior to the event if a weather delay occurs.