Stomping Grounds Open Stage Featuring Dxtr Spits
- Elgin Smith
- 14 hours ago
- 3 min read
On April 16, 2026, Stomping Grounds Literary Arts Initiative hosted another powerful installment of Open Stage at Haibayo Café in Uptown Chicago. The evening brought together artists, storytellers, musicians, and community members for a night rooted in vulnerability, healing, and creative expression.
From the opening workshop to the final performances of the night, the room carried an energy that felt deeply honest and emotionally present. Many artists shared some of the most personal and reflective material we’ve heard on the Open Stage platform in quite some time, creating an atmosphere centered around empathy, accountability, grace, and community care.
At the top of this post you’ll find the full livestream, recap video, and photos from the evening.
Featured Artist & Workshop: Dxtr Spits
This month’s featured artist and workshop facilitator was Jordan “Dxtr Spits” Holmes, an internationally recognized spoken word artist, keynote speaker, and trauma-informed life coach whose work blends poetry, mindfulness, and emotional wellness.
Throughout the workshop and featured performance, Dxtr guided participants through conversations surrounding harm, healing, accountability, and compassion. One of the opening reflections asked participants:
“Have you ever caused harm and needed or received grace?Have you ever been harmed and still chose to give grace?”
The workshop created space for attendees to reflect honestly on personal experiences while listening deeply to one another.
Following the event, Dxtr shared that one of the highlights of the evening was the opening icebreaker and discussion circle:
“I think it brought a warmth to the room.”
He also reflected on the atmosphere created throughout the performances and workshop:
“I loved the room being full of support, interaction during the performance, and warm energy.”
One of the most impactful parts of the evening for Dxtr was hearing audience members openly respond to the workshop prompts and performance themes:
“I loved just hearing from everyone around the room in a way that felt non-judgmental and open. I think people got to feel heard.”
Dxtr also spoke about appreciating the balance between livestreaming and in-person performance:
“The combination of streaming and live performing allowed for the show to feel intimate but also have a wider reach.”
His work continues to bridge artistry and wellness, helping audiences navigate difficult emotions through storytelling, mindfulness, and reflection. We encourage everyone to continue following Dxtr’s work, especially his men’s wellness initiative How Men Cry, and to listen to his latest project Drowning in the Open, featuring the final recorded message from Nikki Giovanni.
Open Mic Community
The Open Mic portion of the evening reflected the heart of what Open Stage strives to be: a safe and intentional space where artists can share their truth without judgment.
Each artist who touched the stage contributed to an atmosphere of vulnerability, honesty, and connection. Whether through spoken word, music, storytelling, or reflection, the performances reminded us how powerful it can be to simply witness and support one another.
Dxtr also noted how meaningful it was to meet artists and attendees throughout the night and build new creative connections within the community.
Reflections from the Team
This month also marked the first time DJ Napp All Day joined us for Open Stage, helping create the soundtrack and atmosphere for the evening. Reflecting on his experience, he shared:
“I felt warmly welcomed and at home immediately during my first experience DJing for Open Stage. A space rooted in true community with supportive creatives freely expressing their art and being themselves.”
He continued:
“It's a one of a kind space that's necessary for artists in Chicago to continue nurturing their talents or new ones to discover their potential.”
Hearing reflections like these reminds us why creating intentional creative spaces matters so deeply.
Thank You to Our Team & Partners
We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who helped make the night possible:
CeeBaby — Host
Joseph — Intern
Cassius — AVP Tech
Mo Beats — Photography
DJ Napp All Day — DJ for the evening
Special thanks to Jennifer and the entire Haibayo Café team for welcoming us into the space and helping create such a warm environment for artists and guests alike.
Watch the Full Livestream & Recap
You can watch the full livestream and recap video from the event above, along with photos captured throughout the evening.
Be sure to share the stream and continue supporting the artists who participated.
Looking Ahead
As Open Stage continues to grow, Stomping Grounds Literary Arts Initiative remains committed to creating spaces where people can feel seen, heard, and supported through art and storytelling.
Thank you to everyone who continues to show up for the space, support one another, and contribute to this growing creative community.
Open Stage will return this summer beginning with our Summer Series kickoff during Make Music Chicago on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at Buttercup Park from 5–8 PM. We look forward to continuing to build community through music, storytelling, and shared creative experiences throughout the summer.
Because what is support without community?
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