In the backyard of Palabras Bilingual Bookstore, poets and authors gather to celebrate the first in-person BIPOC Open Mic Night in over two years on Saturday, after switching to virtual events due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Palabras Bilingual Bookstore is a local library and bookstore located in downtown Phoenix featuring a diverse collection of books and art.
Palabras has been in a new location on Roosevelt Street in a community space called Nurture House. As COVID-19 rates continue to decline, Palabras held the first in-person BIPOC Open Mic Night in the new location.
“It definitely means a lot. A lot went into creating this space and it was just a whole journey,” said Chawa Magaña, owner of Palabras. “It did not look like this when we got here.”
Magaña first created this library to create an inclusive space for individuals in the community. Having been raised by two Mexican immigrants, she knows firsthand what it’s like to grow up feeling different.
Palabras is not just a bookstore, it is a safe space for Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color, or BIPOC, in the community to gather and freely embrace who they are.
For two hours, authors, poets and musicians walked up to the mic as their true selves, sharing with the audience personal experiences in an artistic way. Some were regulars and some were there for the first time, but all were welcomed.
“Places like this, they hit home,” said Edauri Navarro Pérez, a recurrent performer at Palabras. “This is the only bilingual library in the valley. I like to write more in Spanish than in English cause it’s my native language.”
Pérez performed two poems, one in English and one in Spanish, both equally and deep and heartfelt. When explaining the backstory behind her pieces, she used the words “painful and beautiful” to describe her work.
One thing in common among each performer was the rawness and honesty they shared through their art.
Krystal Simmons was another performer who shared a creative nonfiction story she had published in the Scottsdale Community College magazine. This was her first time sharing at Open Mic Night.
“It’s a wonderful place of diversity and where else to share but here for the first time,” Simmons said.
Palabras has a vast collection of BIPOC authors along with an art gallery, workshop, event space and small garden.
“To be an example of what solidarity and community healing through creative expression, knowledge sharing and active listening looks like and help to encourage others to start their own projects, creating a ripple effect of sharing, healing and liberation,” Palabras vision statement reads.
Palabras offers more than just books. People can purchase t-shirts, coloring pages, tea blends journals, calendars, cards and more.
This bookstore has become a cultural hub in downtown Phoenix and nurtures the creative minds of the BIPOC community.
Open mic nights are just one of many events Palabras hosts. On April 23 at 6:30 p.m., there will be a new event called Tacos and Talks. This event is open to anyone who wants to engage in a conversation about projects regarding community wellness, arts or social justice, according to the bookstore.
Palabras is a place for writers to find support when trying to get their projects off the ground. Tacos and Talks is one example of a place to have conversations about ideas as well as find advice and encouragement.
“I just want to echo the message that your voice matters and you should be able to share the pain that you’re going through, you should be able to share the joy,” Magaña said.
Contact the reporter at mrlovin@asu.edu.
