East Meets Words Featuring Rex Mac

/// Event Details ///
EMW Bookstore
934 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA
$5-$20 sliding scale suggested donation
No one is turned away at the door (except due to lack of capacity)

/// SCHEDULE ///

7:00PM | Doors Open
7:30PM | Open Mic Starts
- Community Annoucements
- Continue Open Mic
- Community Cypher
9:00PM | Feature
- Feature Q&A

/// About the Features ///

Rex Mac
REX MAC IS AN ASIAN AMERICAN, BOSTON BASED HIP HOP MUSICIAN, ORGANIZER, AND JOURNALIST. SINCE 2012, REX HAS BUILT A DISCOGRAPHY OF ENTIRELY SELF-PRODUCED PROJECTS, INCLUDING THE MAXIMAL, STADIUM SET KINGDOM POWER GLORY TO THE BRIGHT, BOUNCY MEDITATING IN THE MOSHPIT.

HIS LATEST ALBUM, ABLOOM, IS AVAILABLE NOW AND HIS TRUE MAGNUM OPUS. IT IS A DENSE, THOUGHTFUL ODE TO MENTAL HEALTH IN FLUX - SUCCESSFULLY UNPACKING THEMES FROM OVERCOMING LONELINESS ("HOW TO BE ALONE"), TO UNLOCKING SELF-POTENTIAL (“THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH”), TO FINDING CLOSURE IN RELATIONSHIPS (“ALL MY LOVE”). SONICALLY, ABLOOM IS AN AMORPHOUS PRODUCTION THAT MANAGES TO BLEND HIP HOP SUBGENRES SEAMLESSLY - FROM 90S ERA WEST COAST G FUNK, TO YEEZUS-ESQUE INDUSTRIAL MINIMALISM, TO TRAP.

BEYOND HIS WORK AS AN INDEPENDENT MUSICIAN, REX IS A CONTRIBUTING WRITER FOR BOSTON A&E WEBSITE, KNOW YOUR SCENE. HE ALSO ORGANIZES AND HOSTS HIS OWN MONTHLY HIP HOP SHOWCASE, SONIC BLOOM, AT CAMBRIDGE'S OUT OF THE BLUE TOO ART GALLERY.

/// About East Meets Words ///

In March 2005, EMW Bookstore held its first monthly open mic. Now, over 156 open mics later, East Meets Words is one of the longest running Asian American open mic series in the country, and one of the main hubs of Asian American art and activism on the east coast.

At this curated open mic, participants can sign up to sing, spit, dance, play music, or share a story. Everyone is welcome. The space is especially appreciative of work that challenges stereotypes and amplifies marginalized voices. Participants does not need to be of Asian or Pacific Islander decent to perform, but our space will prioritize those voices. Time is set aside at each open mic for community announcements, meant to raise awareness about social justice issues in the greater Boston area.

Each month, we also feature an Asian / Pacific Islander artist or group, who will perform a full-length set after the open mic portion of the evening. Past features have ranged from nationally known artists such as Beau Sia and Kelly Tsai to local creatives like you and me.

We strive to create a safer space and a platform for artists and non-artists to perform work of all stages. Everyone is welcome to attend and sign up on the open mic. The space is especially appreciative of work that challenges stereotypes and amplifies marginalized voices - prioritizing API performers. Time is set aside at each open mic for community announcements, meant to raise awareness about social justice issues in the greater Boston area.

/// LOCATION & PARKING ///

EMW Bookstore
934 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02139

Red line: Take the T to Central and walk towards Harvard Square on Mass Ave, or take the 1 bus down the street.

Free street parking is available but typically difficult to find after 6PM on Fridays. Visitors can pay for parking in Central Square (https://www.cambridgema.gov/traffic/Parking/cityparkingfacilities/cityparkinggarages.aspx), or take the T. EMW Bookstore is right between two chair accessible stops, Harvard Square and Central Square on the Red Line.

/// ACCESSIBILITY ///

Gallery space is wheelchair accessible. We will prioritize chair access in the aisles. Please find or contact an EMW Staff member for assistance with entry through front door. Unfortunately, our space is split-level throughout the building. The bathroom is located on the other side of the building and is not wheelchair accessible.

Priority seating on folding chairs and benches is available -- please contact us if you'd like to come early to claim a seat or reserve a seat.

One single-stall, gender-neutral restroom is available on the main floor with three steps up and down from the main entrance.

Please come fragrance free! For the health and safety of organizers, features, and other attendees, we ask you not to wear scented products or clothing that has recently been smoked in. For more information: http://www.peggymunson.com/mcs/fragrancefree.html

Wellness Squad members will be present at the event to facilitate emotional and community safety.

/// CONTACT ///

Please email [email protected] or call the bookstore at 857-600-1244 if you have any further questions, concerns, or accessibility details that haven’t already been addressed.

Interested in volunteering with us? Contact us at [email protected]!

Would like to donate to our organization? Make a contribution at www.emwbookstore.com/donate

EMW Community Space, fondly known as EMW Bookstore, is a community-oriented space and resource for peoples from marginalized identities to pursue our creative visions.

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