ON THE B SIDE Celebrates 25 Years of Poetry, Music and Community During Soul Basel

Anthony David headlines the December 5 anniversary show at Overtown’s Historic Lyric Theater, with Rhonda Thomas, LaVie and Queen Sheba.

ON THE B SIDE will celebrate 25 years of live music and spoken word with B SIDE 25: The Anniversary Experience on Saturday, December 5, at the Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater in Overtown. The show, taking place during Soul Basel and Miami Art Week, is curated by founder Ingrid B and presented by Gambrell Renard. Soul and R&B artist Anthony David headlines a lineup featuring vocalists Rhonda Thomas and LaVie and poet Queen Sheba.

The show caps a yearlong anniversary series that traces its origins to Flow Fridays, the open-mic Ingrid B launched in 2001. Poets, singers, musicians, hosts, and DJs from across ON THE B SIDE’s 25-year history will share the stage.

“When I started Flow Fridays, I wanted people to feel comfortable getting on the mic to share something they’d written or a song they’d been working on,” said Ingrid B, founder of ON THE B SIDE and curator of B SIDE 25. “Twenty-five years later, I get to bring artists from different chapters of that story together on one stage. Celebrating with them at the Historic Lyric Theater during Soul Basel and Miami Art Week means a lot to me. We get to share what we’ve built with the people who’ve been coming for years and with those hearing us for the first time.”

The evening features a tribute to South Florida music, led by LaVie with Courtney Mickens, and performances by Bertrand Boyd, TABOO, and Red Writing Hood. A closing ensemble poem brings together Salam The Poet, SAPFET, Mori, M’Reld Green, Messiah Ramkissoon, and Erika King-Kane.

Karon J. Riley hosts alongside Ingrid B, Rayzor, and LaVie. DJ LS ONE joins a live band featuring Allen Paul on keys, Shaka Pace on bass, and STICX on drums.

Doors open at 5 p.m. for cocktails and lobby interviews with B Side correspondent Mark G. The show begins at 6 p.m., and the event concludes at 9 p.m. The Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater is at 819 NW 2nd Ave., Miami, FL 33136.

General admission and VIP tickets are available through Eventbrite. For event details, visit GetOnTheBSide.com.

About ON THE B SIDE

Founded by Ingrid B in 2001, ON THE B SIDE is a Black woman-owned South Florida arts and entertainment company producing live music, spoken word, and comedy events. Ingrid B Inc. produces B SIDE 25.

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