DaVerse Lounge Relaunches with All-Ages Storytelling Event

Dallas

DaVerse Lounge, an all-ages spoken-word and storytelling event, will relaunch on July 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Life in Deep Ellum, 2803 Taylor St., Dallas. Registration is required to attend, and the in-person program will combine invited performances, open-mic participation, live visual art, and family-friendly activities.

What to expect at the relaunch

The evening will present a curated lineup of guest artists and local performers alongside open-mic opportunities for attendees. Featured guests include Cam McCloud of Cure for Paranoia and musician Tommy Raps, previously known under the name So-So Topic. Local contributors scheduled to perform include Dana Harper and Dallas’ inaugural poet laureate Joaquin Zihuatanejo. The relaunch will also showcase live painters and original performances from area artists.

Open-mic participation is a core element of the event. Templates will be provided to help attendees create poems or spoken-word pieces on the spot. No prior experience or preparation is necessary for those who wish to perform. A creative corner for children will offer activities, crafts, and a chalkboard wall managed by visual artists Jerod and Dehvon Davies. Food for attendees will be provided by Alejandro Perez Jr., identified as a creative partner of the event’s founder.

Attendance and registration

Organizers report that 250 people have already registered for the relaunch, with plans to expand participation in future installments. Registration is required to attend the July 27 program; additional registration details, capacity limits, or ticket fees were not included in the available information.

Purpose and target audience

The relaunch expands the original scope of the program, aiming to include not only students but all North Texans interested in storytelling. The event is designed to offer a welcoming space for people to express themselves, share stories, and connect with community through poetry, music, and visual art. Organizers emphasize creating an environment where newcomers feel comfortable even on their first visit.

Program history

DaVerse Lounge began in 2005 as a creative writing program intended to help students process experiences through storytelling. In later years the program partnered with arts education nonprofit Big Thought and reached more than 600 students across North Texas before pausing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The July 27 relaunch represents a transition from a primarily student-focused program to a broader community event open to all ages.

Event logistics

The relaunch will run for three hours in the evening and take place at Life in Deep Ellum, a Dallas arts venue located at 2803 Taylor St. The format blends scheduled performances from guest and local artists with open-mic segments, live painting, and family-oriented programming. Creators and performers will be able to use on-site materials and templates to develop pieces during the event.

Context within the local arts scene

The event forms part of a wider network of literary and performing arts activity in Dallas. By combining spoken word, music, visual arts, and youth-focused elements, the relaunch seeks to create cross-generational engagement and broaden participation beyond school-based programming. Organizers intend to grow attendance and community connections through future editions of DaVerse Lounge.