SpeakFridays: No Egos…Just Expression! A Conversation with Robert Lee

Audience at SpeakFridays.

SpeakFridays is an Open Mic located in the Bird Road Art District of Miami that provides a platform for expression to performers, musicians, spoken word artists, dancers and actors. SpeakFridays founder and organizer Robert Lee agreed to sit down with ARTDISTRICTS to share his thoughts and experiences about this initiative.

By José E. López

José E. López - In a very short period of time, SpeakFridays has become a creative laboratory that every week gathers artists from different disciplines that perform to an ever-growing audience. Tell us what SpeakFridays is. How did this idea start?

Robert Lee - SpeakFridays is freedom, creativity, love, inclusion and expression. It’s a place where artists and lovers of art congregate to inspire and be inspired, to share ideas and opinions, to commune. Our mission at SpeakFridays is to promote understanding, tolerance and expression through arts and communication. It truly is ‘Miami’s Most Diverse Open Mic.’ The project began five years ago. I stumbled upon the world of spoken word poetry by accident (if there is such a thing). It left quite an impact on me…the room was filled with such emotion and honesty (which poured just as much from the audience as it did from the stage). And that’s when it hit me-in a world filled with pretentiousness and overinflated egos, this is exactly what we need to balance things out.

SpeakFridays Founder and organizer Robert Lee

I strongly believe that the most valuable resources we have available to us in this world is each other. This is certainly the case at SpeakFridays. We have an extended family of poets, musicians, artists and DJs that collectively breathe life into the project.

J.L. - Is there a program for each event? Who is allowed to participate?

R.L. - We begin each show with a carefully handpicked selection of music by our resident DJ Corey ‘Ceedouble’ Chase. Then an official welcome or introduction poem is served up by my right-hand man and poet extraordinaire David Adderley. After a brief one-two of the rules, we flow right into our general open mic, which anyone can sign up for. After the first round of open mic performances, we then bring on our featured artist of the week. We have been fortunate enough to feature artists such as comedians Erik Myers and Clyde Gordon, HBO Def Poets Red Storm and M’Reld Green, and musical acts like The Politix, Dangerflow, Train of Thought and The Melting Pot of the Sounds.

SpeakFridays hosts Los Angeles-based stand-up comic, actor, and writer Chris D’Elia, who has been featured on Comedy Central's Live at Gotham and Comedy Central Presents as well as on Showtime's Live Nude Comedy.

J.L. - How have you spread the word around about SpeakFridays? How have you managed to attract such a great audience every week?

R.L. - We rely heavily on social media and word of mouth to attract new fans, as well as to keep our existing fans up to speed with what’s happening. We also integrate some aspects of social media during the show. For example, we offer audience members the opportunity to send live text messages and tweets, which are read between each act. In addition, we constantly update our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram sites with what’s happening before, during and even after each show. The same goes for when we are performing at different galleries at the Bird Road Art Walk.

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Local Comic Sean Beagan bringing the laughs.

J.L. - Even though ‘open mics’ are a growing trend worldwide, I would say that SpeakFridays sets itself apart because of its diversity, as well as the interaction with the public, which works as a gauge to bring to light concerns and social problems that affect the South Florida community. Tell us about the atmosphere that surges at each meeting.

R.L. - One of the most beautiful things about SpeakFridays is the diversity that exists there. It’s one of the few places that I know of where you see people with different ethnic, religious and political backgrounds actually hanging out in one place and having a good time. The only other place I’ve seen that kind of diversity is in court, and that’s never a good time. I think it comes from the diversity of the Speak family and the openness we try to create on stage and in our spot. The text messages and tweets from the audience allow us to see exactly what the most pressing issues are and get insight on how the community is feeling about various issues. The atmosphere is one of honesty and respect. We let the audience know each week that they will most likely hear something they don’t agree with, but everyone has an opportunity to share his/her opinions as well, and at the end of the day if people still don’t agree we can at least agree to disagree and move on with the show. Again, our goal is to build bridges through arts and open dialogue.

Speakfridays Stage

J.L. - Have you established exchanges with other Open Mics venues in the U.S. or internationally?

R.L. - We have primarily worked with local schools, charitable organizations and art walks like BRAD [Bird Road Art District]. However, we have not had a tremendous amount of exchanges with other open mic venues. Some of our house poets attend other venues, but they do that as individuals.

J.L. - Do you have any financial support from private or public entities?

R.L. - SpeakFridays has an ongoing relationship with Marley’s Mellow Mood drinks, Geoff Paugam Photography and The Inner Look Empowerment Center. We love their support, products and contributions to the vision. There are other things in the works, but those will become more public as things are solidified.

J.L. - I think that the arts in Miami, particularly visual arts and performing arts, do not receive enough support. This is a constant complaint in our artistic community. We notice that both the city government and local private organizations usually prefer giving grants to big institutions such as the Adrienne Arsht Center and forget to support small initiatives that are not only platforms for expression, but also spaces for creativity. What is your opinion in this respect? What do you think we all can do to reverse this trend?

R.L. - We feel that in due time all of the smaller venues and events taking place in Miami will get their proper respect. The way we have chosen to pursue a change is to make sure that what we do each week is the best we can possibly put forth. If we create a buzz that people can’t ignore, we will get the support of the local community and the organizations that support them. That is certainly one of our goals. Ultimately, Speak is a grassroots entity, and we are working hard to grow ourselves.

SpeakFridays, an open microphone in which everyone has an opportunity to be heard.

J.L. - What is the goal of SpeakFridays? How do you envision the future of this project?

R.L. - Our goal is impact as many people as we possibly can. We want to impact the largest audience that we can. Obviously, this means growing our sphere of influence and taking the show to new levels. We want to maintain our current reputation for diversity and openness and introduce quality artists to people along the whole spectrum in places all over the world. That is a goal we take very seriously and are actively pursuing. Keep your eyes on us and you will see some awesome moves.

Thanks for the opportunity to talk a little bit about what we do. Organizations like yours are helping to foster real growth in the arts community. Best of luck.