An Open Mic for Chicago Youth
A monthly space for high school students to share, express, and network.
This is your stage, your crowd, your community.
Every month we partner with the Chicago Public Library to present a space for high schools students to share, express, and network with like-minded individuals.
This event, housed in the Harold Washington, showcases randomly selected students to present a 3-minute piece of their choice. Afterward, we bring our friends to perform, teach, and inspire.
OpenMike often closes with professionals sharing about their creative process and pieces of their choosing.
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.
45
OpenMikes
5,460
Total Minutes of Performance
10,790
Total Attendance
#OpenMike Live! IS HAPPENING TODAY @ 7PM CST! You don’t want to miss this! Tune in via any of our social media channels (IG, Twitter, Youtube and/or Facebook!) We’ll be announcing the 3 winners of the raffle during #OpenMike Live! too. Again...you DON’T want to miss this! Drop a “🔥” in the comments if you’ll be watching #OpenMike Live! from home tonight!
Join us today and tomorrow for the final sworkshop sessions with some of our good friends! Today’s first sworkshop begins at 11AM CST with @chicago_reader. Don’t miss it! #sworks4socialdistancing
Happy Sunday Friends! Another week of Sworkshops are coming your way! Join us every day this week for some exciting sworkshop sessions. This will be our last week of SWorkshops (for now at least) so be sure to tune in! Let us know what classes you’re most excited for in the comments! 👇🏽 #sworks4socialdistancing #SocialWorks #helppeople
Happy Friday everyone! End your week with us by joining in on any of our Sworkshops of the day! We’re starting soon with a song writing and comedy chat with @michelemcguiremusic at 9AM cst! Swipe left to find our more information on the other classes later in the day too! You don’t want to miss it!
‼️ ANNOUNCEMENT ALERT ‼️ The deadline to sign up for #OpenMike Live! has been extended and the date has changed!
#OpenMike Live! is now happening on MAY 25th 7PM CST! Join your favorite hosts Sydni, HotRod, DJ BMan, and Reeseynem at our first ever OpenMikeLive!
If you want to perform at OpenMikeLive! Submit your information here — https://www.socialworkschi.org/openmike-live/ (LINK IN BIO). Don’t be scuuurred, you know it’s always a good time! And to make it more exciting (because why not?!) 3 of the lucky students that sign-up will win the entire SocialWorks x @jumpman23 collab! All you have to do is submit your artwork by May 22nd at 10pmCST to become eligible to win! 🎉
#SocialWorks #OpenMike #forthekids #helppeople
Wow! Thank you @forbes for allowing us to share our story, mission and passion. We’re incredibly humbled and grateful for this feature. Full link in bio and on our website. #SocialWorks #helppeople #forthekids #sworks #supportCPS
‼️ Another week of Sworkshops is coming your way! Start your week off with us tomorrow at 9AM with a vin and restore yoga session by @mkjyoga!🧘♀️ SWIPE LEFT to see the full line up for the week 👉🏽 #sworks4socialdistancing #helppeople #SocialWorks
We’re still at it! Another day of Sworkshops begins today at 11AM cst! Swipe left to find more details about the rest of this weeks upcoming Sworkshops. Don’t miss it! 🔥💯 #sworks4socialdistancing #SocialWorks #helppeople
Congratulations to the winner of the #OpenMikeChallenge - WEEK 5! Her name is Ahniya Mitchell @niyaspitss and she’s a talented spoken word artist! Swipe left to check out some of her pieces!
Speaking of #OpenMike, remember that OpenMike Live! is coming soon! Learn all about what OpenMike Live! is and how to be involved during tomorrow’s 7PM sworkshop! You can tune in via any of our social media channels or socialworkschi.org/Sworkshops. If you’re interested in being involved in OpenMike Live! and want to register, sign up via our website...link in bio! Remember, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ONLY. We will be checking ID’s 😉 👍🏽.
#SocialWorks #OpenMike #OpenMikeLive #sworkshop #sworks4socialdistancing #helppeople #forthekids
More Sworkshops continue today at 11AM CST! Don’t miss it! #sworks4socialdistancing #helppeople #socialworks
#30DaysofOpenMike Challenge Week 5 Starts NOW! Check out the prompts everyday of the week + use the hashtag #30DaysofOpenMike to share them with the world! READY...SET...GO!!!
Here’s how it works:
• Every Sunday morning, SocialWorks will post the new prompts for the week and the winner of the previous week!
The winner of week 4 is an absolutely remarkable spoken word artist by the name of Alexis Strong @alexisunique____!SWIPE LEFT to hear 👂 some of the pieces she submitted during WEEK 4 of the #30DaysofOpenMike Challenge! Keep shining, Queen! ✨✨✨👑👑👑
• High school students from ANYWHERE in the world 🌎 can post an image or 1-minute recording responding to the prompt of the day on social media (IG and/or Twitter)! Just write a description of your art in the caption + use the hashtag #30DaysofOpenMike!
Submissions will be chosen based on a combination of:
1. The amount of votes on social-media (IG + Twitter) 1 Like = 1 Vote (click the hashtag and vote for submissions!)
2. Creativity
3. Connection to the prompt
• Weekly submissions will close each Friday at 5pm CST.
• In order to accept the $500 prize, winners will be asked to show proof to the SocialWorks team they are currently enrolled in high school.
Good luck! We’re so excited to see what you all come up with while practicing #socialdistancing at home. Be sure to spread the word to any high schoolers you know!
#SocialWorks #Sworks4SocialDistancing #OpenMike #supportCPS #helppeople
2 IG posts in 1 day?! 😱 We’re doing it! 😂 This week's #OpenMikeSpotlight is Khalil Crump, @_xo.paris!
Xo Paris told us, "from designing my own clothes, to painting, to music I constantly express myself and want to create a place where everyone is free to be themselves. Starting at 14 with music, I always wanted to stress that you can do anything you put your mind to." We are always so inspired by our students! This is what #OpenMike is all about! Make sure to check out Khalil on Youtube and Soundcloud at Xo Paris!
In The News
May 13, 2020
How Chicago’s SocialWorks Is Pioneering New Ways For Brands To Help Communities
May 5, 2020
Box Tops for Education Partners with Chance the Rapper for Live Teacher Awards
May 2, 2020
OpenMikeLIVE! Highlighting Art during Social Distancing
Partnerships
