Stomping Grounds Literary Arts Initiative

Stomping Grounds Literary Arts Initiative Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Stomping Grounds Literary Arts Initiative, Art, 2311 S. Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL.

08/06/2026

What a night! Thank you to everyone who came out to our Marquette Park Open Stage and made it such a special evening.

Huge shout out to our featured artists Binkey and Neko Suave, every artist who stepped up to the mic, our host CeeBaby, DJ 1Solo, the Marquette Park staff, and everyone who supported the event.

This is what community looks like.

See you at the next Open Stage!

LiveMusic Poetry CommunityArts

For those in our Open Stage community who would like to pay their respects to our dear friend Eric Arnold Moses Castillo...
07/31/2026

For those in our Open Stage community who would like to pay their respects to our dear friend Eric Arnold Moses Castillo, his family has shared the following service information.

Celebration of Life
Saturday, August 1
11:00 AM

Philadelphia Baptist Church
1142 E. 82nd Street
Chicago, IL 60619

Pastor: Edouard Boncy

Repass
2:00–4:00 PM

Golden Corral
6803 W. 159th Street
Tinley Park, IL 60477

Please mention the name “Castillo” upon arrival. (Each guest is responsible for the cost of their own meal, plus a $2 gratuity.)

Our continued thoughts and prayers are with Eric’s family, friends, and everyone whose life he touched. Eric will always be a part of the Stomping Grounds Open Stage family, and his spirit will continue to live on through the community he helped build.

Rest in peace, Eric. You are deeply loved and will never be forgotten. 🕊️

07/21/2026

Neko Suave has a message for y’all!

Open Stage is headed back to Marquette Park on Thursday, July 23, from 5–8 PM, and Neko says to come decked out in yellow… especially if you’re a baddie. 💛😄

Join us for an evening of live music, poetry, storytelling, comedy, and community featuring Binkey and Neko Suave.

There’s still time to join the Open Mic! Sign up here:
https://forms.gle/ze6qKcJfY1235HfBA

RSVP on Partiful:
https://partiful.com/e/BMucgXYrmZPpaN1HqXRx?c=V0SPrBIb

We’ll see you at The Anchor at Marquette Park (6743 S. Kedzie Ave.) for another unforgettable Open Stage.

Everyone’s Voice Matters.

OpenMic LiveMusic SGLAI

07/20/2026

We can’t wait to see you all this Thursday at the 3rd Annual Marquette Park Open Stage!

Our featured artists Binkey and Neko Suave are ready to bring an unforgettable evening of music, storytelling, and community.

There’s still time to sign up for the Open Mic! Whether you’re a poet, musician, comedian, storyteller, or first-time performer, we’d love to hear your voice.

Open Mic Sign-Up:
https://forms.gle/ze6qKcJfY1235HfBA

RSVP:
https://partiful.com/e/BMucgXYrmZPpaN1HqXRx?c=V0SPrBIb

In the meantime, here’s a few words from one of this month’s featured artists, Binkey. We hope to see you Thursday!

Poetry Storytelling SGLAI

07/17/2026

The mic is call you!

Join us for the 3rd Annual Marquette Park Open Stage on Thursday, July 23, from 5–8 PM at The Anchor at Marquette Park!

This month’s featured artists are Binkey and Neko Suave, bringing an unforgettable evening of hip-hop, funk, soul, storytelling, and community.

Whether you’re a poet, musician, comedian, storyteller, or a first-time performer, everyone’s voice matters.

🎙️ Want to perform? Sign up here:
https://forms.gle/ze6qKcJfY1235HfBA

🙌 Planning to attend? RSVP on Partiful:
https://partiful.com/e/BMucgXYrmZPpaN1HqXRx?c=V0SPrBIb

Bring your friends, bring your art, and come celebrate Chicago’s creative community with us. We can’t wait to see you at the mic!

LiveMusic Storytelling CommunityArts SGLAI

We’re heading back to Marquette Park!Join Stomping Grounds Literary Arts Initiative for our 3rd Annual Marquette Park Op...
07/06/2026

We’re heading back to Marquette Park!

Join Stomping Grounds Literary Arts Initiative for our 3rd Annual Marquette Park Open Stage as we celebrate another incredible summer of music, poetry, and community.

This year’s featured artists are Binkey, Chicago’s legendary host, MC, comedian, and performer, and Neko Suave, whose signature blend of funk, soul, electronic music, and live talkbox performance is guaranteed to bring the vibes.

Whether you’re stepping up to the mic or cheering from the crowd, everyone is welcome. Bring your poems, songs, stories, comedy, or simply come enjoy an unforgettable evening of local talent.

Open Mic • Live Music • Poetry • Community
The Anchor at Marquette Park
6743 S. Kedzie
Chicago IL 60629
July 23
5:00–8:00 PM

Everyone’s Voice Matters.
Poetry LiveMusic OpenMic SouthSideChicago

06/29/2026

What an incredible day of music, storytelling, and community!

Thank you to everyone who came out to Stomping Grounds Open Stage during Make Music Chicago. Even with the weather bringing us indoors, the energy never stopped.

A huge thank you to every artist who performed on our Open Stage, as well as our fellow Make Music Chicago artists ALMA.YEON, and Jabari Zakee for filling the day with incredible music and creativity. Your willingness to share your gifts is what makes this community so special.

Special thanks to our featured artist Jovan Landry for leading an inspiring workshop and delivering a phenomenal performance.

We’re also incredibly grateful to the entire Haibayo Café team for opening their doors and helping us pivot at the last minute, to Make Music Chicago and PC Gooden-Smiley for supporting community arts, and to our photographer Jefferson Mok for beautifully capturing the day.

Thank you to everyone who attended, performed, volunteered, and cheered each other on. Moments like these remind us why we continue to create spaces where every voice matters.

Stay connected with everything we’re building at sglai.org. We can’t wait to see you at the next Open Stage!

MrPope ChicagoArtists CommunityArts SGLAI HaibayoCafe

Photo credit Jefferson Mok

Open Stage Photo Recap — Part 2Here’s another look at some of our favorite moments from Stomping Grounds Open Stage at H...
06/29/2026

Open Stage Photo Recap — Part 2

Here’s another look at some of our favorite moments from Stomping Grounds Open Stage at Haibayo Café during Make Music Chicago.

Thank you again to everyone who performed, shared their stories, and supported the space. If you see yourself or your friends, be sure to tag them!

A special thank you to Make Music Chicago and PC Gooden-Smalley for supporting community arts and helping make events like this possible.

HaibayoCafe

Photo credit Jefferson Mok

Thank you to everyone who braved the weather to join us for our special Stomping Grounds Open Stage as part of Make Musi...
06/29/2026

Thank you to everyone who braved the weather to join us for our special Stomping Grounds Open Stage as part of Make Music Chicago at Haibayo Café!

The energy, performances, and community made for an unforgettable evening. We’re grateful to every artist who shared their voice and everyone who came out to support.

Here’s the first set of photos from the night, beautifully captured by Jefferson Mox. If you’re looking for an incredible photographer, be sure to connect with him for your next project!

Stay tuned, more photos and videos from the evening are on the way.

SGLAI

06/28/2026

It is with deep sadness that we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Eric Castillo.

Eric was an MC, a poet, and a beloved member of the Stomping Grounds Literary Arts Initiative Open Stage family. He was one of our most consistent performers and a passionate advocate for the community we were building together.

What so many of us will remember most is Eric’s heart. Despite the health challenges he faced, he always showed up with kindness, positivity, and a genuine love for people. His presence made every Open Stage brighter, and his encouragement helped create the welcoming community we cherish today.

Although he is no longer with us, his legacy will continue to live on through the art he shared, the friendships he built, and the joy he brought to every room he entered.

Eric, thank you for your laughter, your presence, your poetry, and for living each day to the fullest. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.

Rest well, our friend. ❤️

Address

2311 S. Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL
60623

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