When most people think of Nashville, Tennessee, many associate it with country music and the go-to spot for bachelorette parties. Many travel from all over the world to experience the nightlife and entertainment that the city has to offer. Coined “Music City” by Queen Victoria in the late 1800s after the Fisk Jubilee Singers from Fisk University had the remarkable opportunity to share their talents with her, centuries later, Nashville is still living up to its name—and Women for the Culture received an invitation to experience it firsthand.
On Valentine's Day, Soul Food Poetry Cafe, Nashville’s renowned event for live music and spoken word, reminded us at their “Love Letters Volume III” sold-out event at City Winery exactly why Nashville is known for its untapped talent and is the go-to place for notable live entertainment. Prior to the show, we caught up with Imani Rhema, the founder of Soul Food Poetry Cafe, and discussed more about her 18 years of longevity and success, as well as her continuous success with City Winery, making this her sixth Valentine's Day event.
Imani called “Love Letters Volume III” a “very special” event and described it as an opportunity to “overcome hate with love,” especially at a time when Black culture and Black art are facing heightened challenges and the continued battle of where its very existence and work are questioned, marginalized, and devalued. Imani has partnered with City Winery to change the conversation to show that we can come together in unity and that Black poets, musicians, and vocalists deserve a place to showcase their talents and provide entertainment that resonates long after the show ends.
February 2 marked the 18th anniversary of Soul Food Poetry Cafe. What started out as an open mic night with 30 people, created out of a need for a safe space for poets to freely express and be their authentic selves, has now evolved into Imani and her team regularly selling out events at City Winery, which leaves her describing this amazing partnership as a residency that she looks forward to continuing.
For Valentine’s Day Imani brought together 8 amazing vocal artists, the national award-winning poet, author, and spoken word artist, Rebecca Dupas, and Nashville’s own Dichotomy The Poet for a night that was one to remember. We also had the opportunity to speak with Rebecca about her experience and insights as the headliner of the sold-out event, where she shared her thoughts on Black culture and how she is contributing to the history and legacy of Black poetry and music.
Rebecca discusses her legacy and describes the opportunity to share her gift as "ancestral," stating, “I feel a beautiful weight on my shoulders. I feel a responsibility…it puts an importance and a link to my lineage in what I will do tonight”. Rebecca certainly lived up to the responsibility she described, delivering a powerful and memorable performance that set the tone for the night. Alongside her, other incredible artists graced the stage, each contributing to the event’s undeniable energy and success.
The evening kicked off with an incredible poet, celebrating Black love by passionately declaring his love for God and how it shapes the way he loves his wife through his spoken word. From there, we were swept into the soulful melodies of four powerful songstresses, each delivering timeless hits that spoke to the essence of Black love, sensuality, and intimacy. Next, the legendary Dichotomy The Poet took the stage, weaving poems that not only captivated but invited the audience to join in the experience. The night came to a head with four captivating soul-men who brought us even more Black love anthems, pulling us from our seats to dance, sing, and truly feel the magic of the moment.
Rebecca’s hope, as the headliner, was to remind the audience of self-love, worth, and value, while Imani’s hope, as the founder of Soul Food Poetry Cafe, was that the audience would walk away feeling united by our Blackness and recognizing how we are the essence of Black love. As an attendee of the event, I can confidently say that expectation was met. As I looked around the room, I saw lovers holding hands while singing love songs, friends getting up to dance together as the band played and sang their favorite songs, and people clapping and snapping their fingers as poets spoke words that resonated with our hearts. If you are a current resident of Nashville, TN, or happen to visit, you absolutely want to attend an event hosted by Soul Food Poetry Cafe—it will not disappoint.
Special Thanks to Michelle Taylor Photography!
Comments