Lyrical Sanctuary

Lyrical Sanctuary Featuring Tasneem Jassar

Tasneem Jassar is a Palestinian writer and poet. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a Creative Writing bachelor’s degree and a minor in Women and Gender studies. Jassar was also 2024 Woodland Pattern’s Milwaukee Emerging Poet fellow. She hopes that the words she writes and shares, inspire others and give them a deeper insight into themselves and the world they live in. Her poetry often includes themes of motherhood, sisterhood, and Palestinian storytelling.

Lyrical Sanctuary Featuring Carmen Alicia Murguia

Carmen Alicia Murguía is a proud U.S.-born poet and writer whose work explores love, Latinidad, politics, queer identity, and culture. She’s the author of six poetry collections and has been featured in academic journals, anthologies, and interviews on NPR, PBS, and other media outlets. Carmen began her poetry journey at The Loft Literary Center through the Inroads: Emerging Chicano/Latino Writer’s Mentorship Program and has since performed at festivals and venues across the country, including New York, Chicago, Minneapolis, and San Antonio. 

Lyrical Sanctuary Featuring Shelly Conley

Milwaukee native, Shelly Conley, is Milwaukee’s newest Poet Laureate. She has always had a Love for words. Her writing is reflective, forgiving and creates a call to action for the listeners. Shelly is a 7 time member of Milwaukee’s National Poetry Slam Team. Her talent has led her to numerous shows, panels, documentaries and musical collaborations with local and national talent.

Lyrical Sanctuary Featuring RJ Riddle

Whether working with city youth or performing music, RJ Riddle has a unique and authentic way of uplifting and empowering the people he interacts with. Riddle began creating a buzz for himself just barely being 21 performing at spoken word events and open mics throughout Milwaukee. With his combination of spoken word, rap, and the occasional jazz/ funk sound, Riddle has a way of fusing different genres in his arsenal to make his words come to live by painting vivid pictures and staying genuine in his words!