4WORDS Presents Our Winter Showcase

Calling all writers, storytellers, musicians and artists!

4WORDS is holding our first ever virtual open mic and art exhibit.

What is 4WORDS?

Oneg In The Arctic states perfectly:

“Well, 4words is a queer-centered creative collective using poetry, stories, songs, art, and spoken word to build global solidarity, support charitable causes, and create inclusive, decolonized safe spaces. We believe in the transformative power of words and creativity to uplift marginalized voices, challenge oppression, and foster healing, resistance, and community across borders.”

To read more about 4WORDS, you can read this article:

https://shopping-feedback.today/writers/looking-4-words%3C/a%3E

You can find our Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/19rSHQ8QCb/

Our Instagram handle:

@4wordscommunity

Why Host a Virtual Event

The short answer is that we are from all over the world, so it has to be virtual.

The purpose is to build community, offer support and encouragement, and use our voices to speak up and speak out about the craziness going on in the world today.

We are also fundraising for two groups with this event.

You can find them on Instagram: @bridge.of.solidarity and @detentionresistance

For This Moment In Time

Each one of us, with our own voice and in whatever medium we operate in, share the world through our eyes. At this very moment in history, when truth is being suppressed, it is up to all of us creators to document this time-through our eyes.

Network news has failed to keep journalistic integrity. They have shown time and time again; they value money and power. Especially in this administration-turning a blind eye to their atrocities.

Social media has become toxic, and fear mongering is rampant.

Cruelty has become commonplace.

And this isn’t just happening in the United States.

It all becomes overwhelming. For many of us, our existence has become resistance.

We as creators need to hold space for truth and use our art to document this moment in time. I would say we have a responsibility to do just that.

Amid all the chaos, we can also spread hope. We can show the world that there still exists times of hope, strength, and humanity.

"Storytelling is a form of history, of immortality too. It goes from one generation to another." — Studs Terkel

Stand up. Use your voice. Keep documenting history. This time in our shared journey is when it is needed most.

“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium, and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.”

Martha Graham

Theme: Unrest

un·rest

/ˌənˈrest/

noun

a state of dissatisfaction, disturbance, and agitation in a group of people, typically involving public demonstrations or disorder.

We chose unrest as our theme for this showcase simply because it is something we are all experiencing. It is important to understand that unrest isn’t just protests and demonstrations. Unrest is an emotional state as well.

The world is full of unrest. Poverty, genocide, food insecurity, police states, environmental impacts, LGBTQ+ persecution, the assault on immigrants…The list goes on.

Join us for this virtual event to express your truth in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment.

“I think there is a general unrest or curiosity about what a human future is going to be like, and whether the way we're living is even sustainable.”

Brit Marling

How To Register

Registration is simple, and does not require any form of payment, though we are fundraising for two organizations as well. You will recieve the Zoom link once registered.

Everything you need to know, including info about the organizations, and registering, can be found here:

https://4words-winter-showcase.rsvpify.com/

We hope to see you there!