Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA) presents the 2nd annual WE SPEAK Festival – a celebration of spoken word poetry integrating critically acclaimed artists alongside talented local youth. As a hybrid in-person/virtual event in 2022, the festival features Steve Connell in collaboration with flexing pioneer Drew Dollaz and violinist Daniel Bernard Romain, Ivan Coyote, Kealoha, and Seattle poet Chelsey Richardson with jazz trumpeter Owuor Arunga. 

This year’s WE SPEAK Festival centers on the theme of “Connection.” After the past two years, how do we connect – and heal – as a community? Where do we see love and resilience, and how do we move forward after trauma? Through performance, WE SPEAK artists may address topics including (but not limited to) the global health crisis, Black Lives Matter and the racial justice movement, and experiences of disability, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ communities. Their voices call for action, understanding and, ultimately, hope.  

Please note that as a hybrid event, non-local artists will appear via video submission, while local artist Chelsey Richardson ft. Owuor Arunga and student finalists from our Youth Poetry Slam Competition will perform live on the ECA stage. 

Warning: Student and professional artist submissions to the WE SPEAK Festival may contain adult or explicit language. 

Sponsored by Edmonds Arts Commission and Tanya Sharp & Morgan MacRury. Additional funding generously provided by the Edmonds Diversity Commission and the Hazel Miller Foundation.