Stomping Grounds Open Stage x Make Music Chicago
- Elgin Smith
- 9 hours ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 20 minutes ago
June 21, 2026 | Haibayo Café (Originally Scheduled for Buttercup Park)
On June 21, 2026, Stomping Grounds Literary Arts Initiative proudly partnered with Make Music Chicago for a full day of music and community. Our original plan was to host Open Stage outdoors at Buttercup Park as part of the city's international celebration of music. Unfortunately, Chicago had other plans. With heavy rain moving into the area, we made the difficult decision to move the event indoors. Thankfully, our incredible community came together.
With little notice, the amazing team at Haibayo Café opened their doors and welcomed our artists, audience, and production team into their beautiful space. What could have been a canceled event quickly transformed into one of our most memorable Open Stages to date.
At the top of this page you'll find the full event livestream, our recap video, Jefferson Mok's photo gallery, Jovan Landry's complete featured performance, and individual videos from each Open Stage artist.
A Community That Pivoted Together
One of the greatest lessons from this event was the power of community.
Despite the weather, artists still showed up. Volunteers still carried equipment through the rain. Audience members still filled the room. The music never stopped.
We're especially grateful to Haibayo Café for making this event possible at the last minute. Their willingness to open their space ensured that dozens of artists and community members still had an opportunity to celebrate Make Music Chicago together.
Opening the Evening
Although the weather prevented our performances from taking place in Buttercup Park, two of our scheduled Make Music Chicago artists helped us kick off the evening inside Haibayo Café.
A huge thank you to ALMA.YEON and Jabari Zakee, who each performed original music and helped set the tone for an evening centered around creativity, resilience, and community.
Following the event, ALMA.YEON shared:
"Thank you @stompinggroundslai, @djlokari, @goodensmiley and everyone else for turning the rain into musical lemonade! Thank you @hai_bayo for supporting the community and hosting today."
Moments like this remind us that great art isn't defined by perfect circumstances—it's created by people willing to adapt together.
Open Stage Performers
This month's Open Stage featured incredible performances from:
Every artist brought something unique to the stage. From spoken word and storytelling to original music and hip-hop, each performance reminded us why Open Stage exists, to create a welcoming platform where every voice matters.
Be sure to watch each artist's individual performance below and continue supporting their creative journeys.
Featured Artist: Jovan Landry
Our featured artist, Jovan Landry, closed the evening with an unforgettable performance alongside drummer Chop Suey.
Jovan seamlessly blended hip-hop, storytelling, and live musicianship while paying tribute to generations of women in hip-hop who helped shape her artistry. Throughout her performance, she honored influential artists including Left Eye, Missy Elliott, and many others whose creativity continues to inspire new generations of emcees.
Her performance was equal parts concert, history lesson, and celebration of authenticity.
You can watch Jovan's complete featured performance in high definition below.
Thank You to Our Community
Events like this are only possible because so many people believe in creating space for artists.
Special thanks to:
Jovan Landry & Chop Suey
ALMA.YEON
Jabari Zakee
Every Open Stage performer
CeeBaby for once again bringing incredible energy as our host
DJ L O Kari and the Stomping Grounds production team
Jefferson Mok for beautifully documenting the entire event through photography
The entire Haibayo Café team for welcoming us into their space on such short notice
We also want to thank Make Music Chicago for celebrating artists throughout the city and for sharing our event across social media. Being part of a worldwide celebration of music is always an honor, and we're grateful to stand alongside so many incredible Chicago musicians and organizers.
A very special thank you goes to PC Gooden-Smalley and the Buttercup Park Advisory Council for their continued leadership, encouragement, and commitment to supporting artists in Uptown. Even though the weather forced us indoors, their partnership helped make this event possible from the very beginning, and we're excited to continue building together.
Community Reflections
One of the most rewarding parts of Open Stage is hearing how the experience impacts those who attend.
Here are just a few reflections from our community:
"Thank y'all for all the hard work y'all put into this for the community."
"The community and talent was incredible. Thank you for hosting!"
"Grateful for Stomping Grounds creating spaces where artists can showcase their music and poetry."
"This was an experience!! Thank you so much for having me."
Those comments remind us exactly why this work matters.
Watch the Performances
Take some time to explore everything from the evening:
Full Event Livestream
Event Recap Video
Jovan Landry's Featured Performance
Individual Open Stage Performances
Jefferson Mok's Complete Photo Gallery
If you attended, we encourage you to share the videos, tag your friends, and continue supporting every artist who made this evening so special.
Looking Ahead
Despite the rain, June 21 became a beautiful reminder that community is stronger than circumstance. When artists, neighbors, volunteers, and organizations come together, creativity always finds a home.
Thank you to everyone who performed, volunteered, attended, shared our work online, and helped us continue building a space where artists feel seen, heard, and celebrated.
We'll be back for our next Stomping Grounds Open Stage on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at Marquette Park.
If you'd like to support future Open Stages and free community arts programming, please consider making a donation through SGLAI.
Because what is support without community?