The Xisme w/ Suzi Q. Smith, Bianca Mikahn, & Starling

The Xisme are a joke-folk duo from Denver, CO featuring Nicole Moore-Abeyta and her husband Joshua Randy Abeyta, who perform both as an acoustic duet and with a full band. The pair mix heartfelt storytelling, humorous observations, poetry, original songs, classic covers, and the occasional pop quiz trivia question to create an interactive, intimate experience for audience members of all ages and backgrounds. Their songs tackle a wide variety of subjects, anything from panic attacks to cats, and are meant to address even the heaviest topics with a touch of levity and with the intention towards creating a space where we can move towards transformation.

Suzi Q. Smith is an award-winning poet and author who lives in Denver, Colorado. While primarily known for her poetry, Suzi is also an organizer, an educator, a singer-songwriter, playwright, and interdisciplinary creative. She has created, curated, coached, organized, and taught for over 25 years, touring throughout the United States.

Bianca Mikahn is an emcee, poet, digital composer, cultural activist, performance artist and mother born and raised in Denver, CO.  She is Executive Director of youth mental health-based organization Check Your Head and has been Partner Artist with leading creative educators, Creative Strategies for Change and Youth on record. A TEDx alum, Mikahn’s creation style is embodied and pragmatic, addressing themes of self-awareness, mental health and liberation. Explorations in music production garnered Mikahn the title of “Best Avant Garde Band” from Denver Westword. She has shared stages at Regis University, Denver University, Wyoming University, La Napoule's renowned Chateau in Nice France and Stockholm Sweden's historical Fylkengin (Fill-ken-gin) Theatre. Through certifications in Yoga (Satya200) and Embodied Social Justice (Embody Lab), Mikahn is honing embodied social emotional learning and movement-based facilitation to encourage trauma informed care and Mental Health First Aid (adult and youth modules) in marginalized communities.

Starling is a folk duo known for harmony-driven songs that range from intimate, earthy ballads to uplifting anthems. Accompanied by guitars, djembe, and ukulele, their music explores themes of love, femininity, community resilience, and the sacredness of everyday life. With an emphasis on connection and shared experience, Jen Pastalo Dacpano and Kelly Johnson invite audiences to warm up their vocals and be ready to sing along! This special performance proudly features guest drummer, Emily Nelson, on djembe for an extra spark to the show.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Swallow Hill Music