The program's mentorship component provides participants access to personalized feedback from Murs.
West Coast rapper Murs is partnering with Creative Arkansas Community Hub and Exchange (CACHE) to launch Groundwaves(AR) this week. With support from the Tyson Family Foundation, the free, six-month hip-hop open mic program will develop, support and amplify the hip-hop scene through performance and mentorship opportunities, according to a press release.
The Groundwaves program was created by Murs and first launched in Colorado in conjunction with the Music District. The Arkansas program begins May 18 in Springdale, and rappers and MCs from across Arkansas and neighboring states are invited to sign up for an open mic session in front of a live audience.
In a collaborative effort, both the audience and Murs will provide real-time feedback and support. The artists who performed can sign up for one-on-one mentorship sessions the following day with Murs to discuss artistic development, the business of music and more.
By the end of the season, Arkansas and Colorado participants will interact and engage with one another under the guidance of Murs.
Groundwaves(AR) will run from May 18 through Oct. 20 with open mic events on Tuesdays and one-on-one mentorship sessions on Wednesdays:
- May 18 (open mic) + May 19 (mentorship)
- June 15 (open mic) + June 16 (mentorship)
- July 13 (open mic) + July 14 (mentorship)
- Aug. 17 (open mic) + Aug. 18 (mentorship)
- Sept. 14 (open mic) + Sept. 15 (mentorship)
- Oct. 19 (open mic) + Oct. 20 (mentorship)
Sign-ups are in-person only and begin at 5 p.m. each week at 214 S. Main St. in Springdale (the former Arts Center of the Ozarks). The open mic sessions begin at 6 p.m. The events are free and open to the community.