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This is your stage, your crowd, your community.

A space for young creatives to share, express, and network with like-minded peers. Held at various community-focused businesses, this event features randomly selected students presenting a 3-minute piece of their choice. Over 90 minutes, students learn hip-hop history, performance techniques, and stage etiquette from resident hosts and a DJ. OpenMike often concludes with professionals or art advocates discussing their creative process, showcasing their work, or sharing learning opportunities

Brother Mike Hawkins

OpenMike is named in honor of a very special mentor of ours, the late “Brother Mike” Hawkins.

SocialWorks’ inspiration came from Brother Mike; he educated, connected, and inspired us to pursue our passions through artistic expression. We want to celebrate and expand Brother Mike’s vision. OpenMike aims to teach showmanship, connect young artists, and inspire creativity within the next wave of Chicago youth.

Brother Mike creator of OpenMike

75

OpenMikes

7,843

Total Minutes of Performance

13,002

Total Attendance

Partnerships

chicago public library open mike