Rockford, a city in between Chicago and Madison, has lots of resources when it comes to writers, poets, and musicians. I would love to reflect on what this city has to offer, and the people I am involved with and work with to provide entertainment to enthused and interested patrons of the arts.
The Rockford Writers’ Guild is an on-going writers resource that meets monthly at Twinker Swiss Cottage. A collective of writers of all sorts, the group is always high-spirited,
professional, and interested in what the members are doing when it comes to their writing.
I believe more people should know about them and what they can learn from local writers who recite, publish, and meet passionately. I have grown as a writer since I joined the Rockford Writers’ Guild this year. I encourage all local poets and writers to join them!
Here is the link to the Rockford Writers’ Guild Website: http://www.rockfordwritersguild.com.
Poets are still active in this community. Local groups such as Hip-Hop Congress, and other
groups, are keeping us engaged and active. JustGoods has hosted my talents in their listening room recently. If you’re on Facebook find the JustGoods Listening Room page.
They are interested in a poetry night, so be on the lookout for that. I could be announcing something in the future. They have a website at http://www.justgoods.info. They have a live music concert every Friday, and sometimes live concert events on Saturdays.
I hosted a SoundCloud Rockford, IL Meet-up for local artists to learn about what they are doing with the website that many underground, and known artists are using to get heard and to collaborate with other artists. As a SoundCloud Hero I am encouraged to hold these kinds of events to listen to local artists and learn how they are using SoundCloud. If you are not familiar with SoundCloud, the website is located at http://www.soundcloud.com. My personal page their, which includes my spoken word with jazz music and the like, is http://www.soundcloud.com/UniverSouLove.
Musicians also attended the event and talked about their own projects. We had a healthy discussion on how to promote the music we have for sell. There was also a discussion about
a local artist union where artists can be paid a fair wage from all local venues. We learned that Rockford once had one but it fizzled out. There is new interest and energy for another one to exist here. Let’s hope it happens!
Local writers, poets, and musicians are all in this together!
