MARCH 29, 2023
Story Jam Les Femmes
Artifact Events
Jasmin Cardenas
Jasmin Cardenas is a Colombian-American bilingual storyteller, actress, director and arts educator. Her one-woman show, written and performed by Jasmin is called ¿Niña Buena? and toured in Chicago (Links Hall), the Midwest, and to an international theater festival in Puebla, Mexico. A professional storyteller, Jasmin was an Exchange Place Teller at the 2016 National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN. She tours her program Cuentos From The Americas to schools, libraries, festivals, and is a regular contributor with 2nd Story. She has been featured on NPR and was one of the first Latina’s to be awarded the Race Bridges Storytelling Fellowship to create new social justice stories.
Over the past 12 years Jasmin has been using theater as a device to spark dialogue, dig deep into real social issues plaguing Chicago communities and to bridge build between populations that might not otherwise engage each other. Reaching across divides of language, socio-economic bubbles, cultural, geographic, educational and cross-generational chasms, she has been busy breaking bread and strategizing change with Chicagoans everywhere.
Sarah Marie Young
Sarah Marie Young is an award winning (Montreux Jazz Competition, Thelonious Monk Competition) versatile singer, songwriter and musician. She has been featured with Postmodern Jukebox, Playing For Change's "Skin Deep" video with Buddy Guy, and has played festivals on tour all over Europe and Brazil. With four albums out, Sarah also sings with the acoustic group, The Oh Yeahs, and is a songwriter for the Story Jam storytelling series. In 2020, she began producing her own children’s music show, Sarah's Music Room for the National YMCA, and released two children’s EPs in 2021. Her holiday album "The Most Wonderful Time" was released in 2022. Currently you can find Sarah singing around town, and leading Chicago's premier event band, Rendezvous.
Stacy McMichael
Stacy McMichael is a professional upright & electric bassist and music professor who has most recently been featured in Broadway shows & tours - such as “Hairspray,” "Teatro ZinZanni,” "Taste of Things to Come,” and the MEGA-hit "SIX: the Musical" (historical retelling of the 6 wives of Henry VIII as pop divas.)
Stacy received her Masters degree (Jazz Bass performance & pedagogy) from the prestigious University of Miami Jazz School and her Bachelors degree (Double Bass performance) from the University of Nebraska - Omaha.
Stephanie Rogers
Steph is the founder and producer of Story Jam. She has starred in over 50 films, plays, and commercials, and she has released three cds of original music. Steph studied acting at Northwestern University while singing in progressive rock bands. She got her M.A. in writing three years ago from National Louis University and she teaches and leads classes at Story Jam Studio. Steph is excited to host and produce LES FEMMES, and share the stage with some kickass females!
Xoe Wise
Xoe Wise is a singer-songwriter, and producer originally from a small town in NC, now based in Chicago. Xoe began playing music around 8 when she was enlisted as a triangle player for a local Zydeco band. Her releases have spanned folk to rock. Xoe has also been seen and heard in Netflix shows such as Sense8, and Showtimes Work in Progress. Xoe enjoys making records, comedic improv songs, and homemade hot sauce. In 2020 Forbes magazine and Chicago Tribune featured her series “Curbside Live” where she played pop up shows off her motor scooter to raise money for local music venues and bring some joy to carry out lines. Wise’s music has been recognized by NPR, and Huffington post. You can find her not only on stage but also developing songwriting and music programs for Chicago LGBTQ youth that help inspire self-exploration, like music did for her as a young queer artist looking for ways to heal. In addition to her work as a professional musician, she holds a BS in psychology and a master’s in social work from The University of Chicago where she focuses on music as body-focused (trauma responsive) psychotherapy and creative arts care.
Channyn Lynn Parker
Channyn Lynne Parker is a Human Rights advocate, public speaker, community-centric leader and Director of Strategic Partnerships for Howard Brown Health Center. She serves on the board, at Equality Illinois. Channyn has served as manager of The Broadway Youth Center’s, Youth Development Program, and manager of Chicago House Social Service Agency’s, TransLife Project (2017). Channyn, is the first openly transgender woman to work in the Cook County Dept. of Corrections, working with populations in protective custody. Inaugural Trans100 awardee (2013). White House speaker, National HIV/AIDS Strategy (2015). Chicago Women’s March speaker (2017, 2018). Recipient of the Henrietta Lacks award, Women in Health in Chicago (2018) and Equality Illinois prestigious, Humanitarian, Freedom Award (2019).
Jeannie Tanner
Jeannie Tanner is an award winning composer with 7 Grammy-considered albums and 5 ASCAP composer awards. She is a singer-songwriter, vocalist, piano player, trumpeter, percussionist and producer who performs and records her original music: a mix of pop, jazz, R&B and Latin rhythms.
As a performer, Ms. Tanner has headlined at top Chicago area venues/festivals performing with her groups 3 Martini Jeannie (3MJ) and the Jeannie Tanner Quartet.
Her music has also been featured in many movies as well as Indie films.
Elizabeth Gomez
Elizabeth Gomez is a Chicago based comedian, writer, and storyteller. She established the city’s first all female roller derby league, The Windy City Rollers, in 2004. She is the founding writer of a writing collective called Drinkers with Writing Problems, and an editor at Heauxs Magazine (a magazine where smart people talk about dumb things). Elizabeth spends her days working for an Alderman on Chicago’s city council, and spends her nights trying to learn all the dance moves from “Magic Mike.”
Carmenita Peoples
Carmenita Peoples is an artistic performer, writer, and certified Montessori educator. She also serves as part-time staff member at the University of Chicago Lab Schools.
Her company, Innovative Art and Education, LLC, works with students and teachers to offer Diversity, Equity, Inclusion programming, education, and support through performance art. She is also a writer of children’s stories and plays.
As a graduate of The Second City Training Center musical conservatory, improv, and writing programs, Carmenita uses her artistry to bridge inter-cultural and generational gaps. Her mantra is, “Let’s connect through our stories.”
