Gustavo Adolfo Aybar is a Kansas City based Dominican-born writer, port and educator recognized for his poetry, essays, and work with the Latina Writers Collective.

A UMKC graduate, he authored the poetry collection “We Seek Asylum” (2017) and is a fellow of Cave Canem and Artist, Inc. His writings often explore fatherhood, immigration and Dominican history and have appeared in SpanglishVoces, Space on Space Magazine, !Mantecal!: An Anthologh of Afro-Latin@Poets, NINE: A Journal of Baseball History and Culture and Primer Pagina: Poetry from the Latino Heartland.

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J Love Band

With a repertoire consisting of classic songs from legendary artists such as Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Etta James, and Marvin Gaye just to name a few, the J Love Band is known for their high energy Funk, Soul and R&B performances. Get ready for a night of unforgettable music with J Love and her talented band lighting up the stage with smooth vocals and infectious rhythms.

Comfy Stennis is an award-winning Kansas City poet and cosmetologist. She has been writing poetry and short stories since she was a preteen.

Poetry for her has been a therapeutic saving grace and one of the platforms to find her artsy tribe. She is one-third of the poetry group Tres Collective with Gie Santana and Serenity Speaks. She is the founder of Thee Creatives and Klout Company. Thee Creatives specialize in making people more beautiful with hair and make-up services. The fashion brand is called Klout Company which specializes in being the power to influence good vibes through words/fashion.

Big Luke & The Soul Disciples are a high-energy, soulful Kansas City blues band known for their dynamic live performances and genre-blending sound. With over 40 years of combined musical experience, the band's performances are emotionally powerful, musically tight, and deeply engaging. Their shows are rooted in Storytelling and connection - blending the raw emotion of the Blues with the uplifting spirit of Soul.

Their musical philosophy is simple and sincere, "playing music from the heart…that you can feel in your soul.”