Justice in the Spoken Word

Chelsie Holmes performs at last year's SPEAK event.

Two hours dedicated to emotional expression through public performance: this is the core of the annual SPEAK event.

Originally intended to develop a space for women's perspectives, last year the event expanded to include all genders and identities. The 2024 event will be hosted by Advocates of Routt County on Saturday, April 13 in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Performers will present pieces they’ve been working on since the announcement of this year’s theme: justice.

Originally founded by Young Bloods Collective, this is the second time that Routt County Advocates has been the primary host for the event. With the mission to honor the creative vision and the impact the event has on the Steamboat Springs community, “justice” was the chosen theme because it continually occurs within the lives of Advocates’ clients. “Each client has their own perspectives on what justice entails and how it manifests,” says Hannah Kaufman, Advocates’ program director. SPEAK is a place to honor discussions about the constraints and contradictions of justice. It is also a way that Advocates of Routt County can raise awareness for their justice programs.

For Cuyler Meade, who will be reciting his own collection of short stories, the event is all about empathy. “I try to capture a feeling or experience that is uniquely mine, but could still be emblematic of another person’s perspective,” he says. Since his involvement in last year’s event, he has been looking forward to reliving the spirit and emotion that SPEAK evokes. As one of the first males to participate after the event was opened to everyone, he still wants to honor the safe space for women and minority voices. “I come from a place of privilege,” Cuyler says. “The event is very humbling because I haven’t faced the same kind of battles that these women have.” Nevertheless, he believes that art is ultimately something that anyone of any identity can connect to. “It was very thoughtful of the event organizers to broaden this opportunity for all aspects of the human condition to be shared,” he says, “as that is really the core of art.”

SPEAK will take place at Off the Beaten Path at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 13. For tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/speak-2024-justice-tickets-852555886607?aff=efbevent&fbclid=IwAR13VdQciO1DRXjFdau2W6JvAmLg5qoTWdUBs9_z-dzlNqibt6d8aDo0fnE_aem_Aa1NbAQ3YX9lqUnq3oHxz0Wgm-w4CzIwnndTx1qAehu7wfwz493HEk-nt1R-dWT4ZylIuC0_RiefiRx-YWs_VOhQ