Different but SAME: In Our Own Words – Spoken Word & Songs Comes to the UW Neltje Center for Juneteenth 

The UW Neltje Center in partnership with SAGE Community Arts, will present “Different but SAME: In Our Own Words — Spoken Word & Songs” on June 19 as part of SAGE’s six-week exhibition, “Different but SAME.”

According to a news release from the center, this exhibition explores shared human experiences across cultures, identities and backgrounds through visual art and public programming. The June 19 event is one of several programs designed to examine how individual stories reflect common human experiences.

Doors will open at 5 p.m., the program begins at 5:30 p.m. and will feature spoken word artists Lena Newlin and Christopher D. Sims alongside Wyoming musician J Shogren. Through poetry, music, conversation and audience engagement, the artists will explore themes of identity, memory, lived experience and storytelling.

Newlin is a poet and spoken word artist whose work focuses on identity, memory and cultural inheritance.

Sims is a poet, performer, author and educator whose work draws from hip-hop and spoken word traditions.

Shogren, a Wyoming singer-songwriter, is known for his roots-inspired music and narrative songwriting.

The event will conclude with a community dinner, providing an opportunity for continued discussion among artists and attendees.

“This program reflects the heart of Different but SAME,” UW Neltje Center Director Beth Venn said. “Each of these artists brings a distinct voice and practice to the stage. Together, they create a space where difference is not only present, but essential to understanding what we share.”

The event is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required. To register, click here. To learn more about the UW Neltje Center, click here.