Parkways Seattle Parks and Recreation

Seattle Parks and Recreation, Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute (LHPAI) and the Pride Foundation present a free performance of “Bearing Witness,” a Queer Youth of Color Performance Arts Showcase, at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 27 at LHPAI, 104 17th Ave. at Yesler Way. Doors open at 6:45 p.m.

The evening includes performances by Donte, Raven, Theo, si dåko’ta, Dani Long and Chad Goller-Sojourner.

Donte Johnson is a poet and teacher who has worked and performed in many places in and out of Seattle. He is a dedicated member of YouthSpeaks Seattle, and was on the 2012 slam team. He recently released a chapbook titled “Steps to the Throne.”

Raven Taylor is a performance poet who recently released a chapbook titled “Atelophobia.” She is the Wing 1 Coordinator at Queer Youth Space and a member of YouthSpeaks Seattle. She was on both the 2011 and the 2012 slam teams.

Theo Garcia is a poet, a teacher, and most important, a poet. He has been a member of YouthSpeaks Seattle for many years, and has taught poetry in many places.

si dåko’ta’s unique blend of storytelling and lyricism delivers a powerful blow to the apathy present in mainstream culture. dåko’ta’s beat choice moves across genres from old school boom bap to island reggae, to dub-step. dåko’ta’s fun and catchy songwriting makes the audience want to know the words. dåko’ta invites the audience to the “Fiesta Table,” turning a performance into a truly cultural and multi-lingual experience. Check out their website and learn the words before the show! www.arkiology.tv

Dani Long serves as a creative mentor for the “Bearing Witness” program. He is a Detroit born dance artist, who has toured nationally with VEE Corporation and taught throughout Detroit and Seattle. While in Detroit, Dani has danced with Jazz and Spirit dance Theater of Detroit, Monroe Ballet Company, Detroit-Windsor Dance Company and Full Circle Dance Company. He is the Founder/Artistic Director of Natural Locz Dance Company (Detroit, MI) and Color Lines Dance Ensemble (Seattle, WA). Dani is currently on staff with Northwest Tap Connection and DASH Center for the Arts.

Chad Goller-Sojourner serves as a creative mentor for the “Bearing Witness” program. He is a Seattle-based writer, storyteller, solo performer and recipient of a distinguished Washington State Arts Commission Performing Arts Fellowship. Most recently he served as the 2013 Ohio University Glidden Visiting Professor. Chad is the author of “Sitting in Circles with Rich White Girls: Memoirs of a Bulimic Black Boy,” and “Riding in Cars with Black People and Other Newly Dangerous Acts: A Memoir in Vanishing Whiteness.”

For more information, please call Kriss at 206-295-5218 or email her at Kriss.Jackson-Harper@seattle.gov or visit Facebook.com/SeattleParksCOD. www.facebook.com/events/550208435022079