Tessa Robago is a passionate poet and performer based in San Antonio, known for her electrifying open mic performances. With a unique blend of raw emotion and vivid imagery, Tessa captivates audiences, drawing them into her world through powerful storytelling. Whether she’s reciting in a cozy lounge or a crowded theater, her intensity and authenticity leave a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to witness her artistry.

Music by Jamie Seward

Rod Carlos Rodriguez has an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Texas at El Paso and is an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio Writing Program. He is an award-winning poet who has been writing for over 40 years. He has 5 books of poetry published: Exploits of a Sun Poet (Pecan Grove Press, 2003), Lucid Affairs (Sun Arts Press, 2012), Native Instincts (Human Error Publishing, 2016), Cantos, Incandescent (Finishing Line Press, March 2024), and A History of Echoes: Poems (Gival Press, October 2024). He is founder/chair of the Sun Poet’s Society, South Texas’s longest running weekly open-mic poetry reading (1995-2022). He was nominated for the San Antonio Poet Laureate in April 2012, April 2014, April 2016, and April 2018. He was the poetry editor for Ocotillo Review, a literary journal/periodical and he was the editor of the Texas Poetry Calendar 2023 (Kallisto Gaia Press).

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A fire sprinkler designer for over 20 years, Jose H. Mojica used his free time to write poetry. In 2016, he was inspired by local poets to finally share his words and voice. He now performs around town and is a confident regular at the Jazz Poets of San Antonio.

Jose has curated art events through various collectives, including Art of Consciousness, a project he started with fellow artist, Jagwire.

Jose embraces all that he absorbs, channeling his creativity into poetry in various forms.

Robert J. Cavazos is a poet and Lecturer of English at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. He graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word and North Carolina State University's MFA program. He has served as a Teach For America corps member and Gemini Ink writer-in-residence. A winner of the 2022 San Antonio Ekphrastic Poetry Contest, he has poems published in Quirk and Boundless.

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Chelsea Prieto is an English major at Texas A&M University–San Antonio and an active member of the Jaguar Ink Society, the university's creative writing club. A passionate storyteller and aspiring young adult novelist, Chelsea also explores the realms of short fiction and poetry, often drawing inspiration from personal experiences and the challenges she has overcome. Her writing is raw, honest, and deeply resonant.

In November 2024, Chelsea was a proud winner of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), a testament to her dedication and creative drive. Her debut YA fantasy novel is set to release in September 2025, marking an exciting milestone in her literary journey.

Beyond writing, Chelsea is the co-host of a local open mic night at Tandem, a cozy Southside coffee shop where writers, poets, and musicians come together to share their work and creative energy.

She is also launching Beyond The Book—a literary website and shop that serves as a welcoming online space designed to inspire, support, and connect aspiring writers and book lovers alike.

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Walker (Walpoet) Valdez is a Bolivian American spoken word poet, and educator from Falls Church, VA. His storytelling contains themes of identity, and is blended with humor and wordplay to speak on the Latin American experience. Mr. Valdez is an alumni from the award-winning arts collective Spoken Resistance and is a graduate of the NALAC Leadership Institute in San Antonio Texas. He holds a B.A in English ( Performance Media Concentration) and a Masters in Special Education. He has performed at various venues throughout DC, such as the Studio Theatre, GALA Hispanic Theatre, and the Rayburn House Office Building just to name a few. He currently hosts the Coffeehouse Poetry monthly open mic in Georgetown and is a teaching artist for the Heard nonprofit Arts Org.

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AgitProp's poetry is a powerful exploration of identity, resistance, and liberation. Rooted in his Chicano heritage, his verses blend raw emotion with unapologetic truth, confronting systemic oppression and celebrating revolutionary love. Through vivid imagery and rhythmic intensity, AgitProp captures the struggles and resilience of marginalized communities, weaving personal and collective narratives into a tapestry of defiance and hope. His work challenges societal norms while honoring cultural roots, creating a space where vulnerability and strength coexist. AgitProp's poetry reflects not just his experiences but a call to action, inspiring readers and listeners to envision and fight for a more just world.

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Chieftain is a poet from San Diego who advocates for social justice through his artistic expression. His poetry reflects his personal experiences and the environment around him, which can often be challenging and unfair. Despite these difficulties, he remains a beacon of hope in his community, inspiring many people, including me.

After you listen to his work, follow @sandiegostreetops on Instagram to see what he's all about.

Music by Jamie Seward