Over the next two weeks, we’ll be presenting our incredible line of local organizations competing in The Hashbrown on February 22. Although small in size, they all have big ideas about how to improve our community, and they are putting their ideas to action! Today we introduce Urban Sandbox, an all ages multi-canvassed open mic event that features poets, emcees, musicians, comedians, solo-artists, puppeteers and more.
What can you tell us about the long lost art of chili poetry?
There are rumors of an ancient library that held the world’s greatest chili poems but they were sadly lost in long-forgotten wars. No poet has ever recreated such greatness, but we guarantee that our chili will be a work of art.
With what celebrity would you most like to share a bowl a chili?
We would like to share a bowl of chili with Dr. Suess or Shel Silverstein. And then we could all write silly, rhyming poems about the dinner.
How does your chili recipe embody your organization?
Urban Sandbox prides itself on being an all-ages multi-canvassed open mic that supports and encourages the voices of Chicago. We’re gonna mix some 312 beer and spices in our chili and consider that representing.
Do you have any words of warning to your competitors?
We will write battle-haikus about how our chili is better than your chili.
What does Spudnik Press love about Urban Sandbox?
Urban Sandbox has been bringing talented poets, emcees, musicians and comedians together for the past twelve years through their open mic events. From the get go, they have been dedicating to bringing young and veteran performers together to present work alongside each other. Creative circles that usually run parallel intersect. The diversity of the event is impressive, but more importantly, they are dedicated to creating pathways for young artists to meet and work with established artists outside of the teacher/student paradigm.