My Loves: A Valentine's Day Showcase

Saturday, February 14, 2026
8:00–10:00 PM
Busboys and Poets – Columbia
6251 Mango Tree Road, Columbia, MD 21044

Celebrate love in all its forms this Valentine’s Day with an unforgettable evening of poetry, music, and connection. Whether you’re coming with a partner, friends, or treating yourself to a solo night of self-love, My Loves is a space to feel seen, inspired, and held by art.

This special Valentine’s Day showcase brings together powerful voices, soulful sounds, and an atmosphere rooted in romance, joy, and creative expression.

🎤 Be Steadwell
🎤 Malachi Byrd
🎤 Javon Rustin
🎤 Jonté Luki

🎶 Music by DJ Diyanna Monet

Enjoy Busboys and Poets’ Valentine’s Day drink specials alongside your favorite dishes while soaking in a night designed to spark feeling and connection.

• Dynamic live performances from acclaimed poets and artists
• Valentine’s Day drink specials
• A warm, intimate atmosphere perfect for date night, friend groups, or solo reflection

🎟️ General Admission Seating (where available): $15
🍷 Bar Seating: $18
🪑 Table Seating: $20
🛋️ Booth Seating: $30

Seating is first-come, first-served. Saved or reserved seats are not permitted. Guests must check in within 30 minutes of the event start time or seats may be released.

🔄 Refund Policy: All sales are final. No refunds.

Hosted By:
Eric “E-Baby” Smith
E-Baby is an award-winning poet, host, and performer with over two decades of experience captivating audiences across the U.S. Known for his electrifying energy and engaging stage presence, E-Baby has shared stages with R&B legends like Musiq Soulchild, Me’Shell NdegeOcello, and Lyfe Jennings. With two albums, a book of haikus, and countless performances under his belt, E-Baby promises to bring heart, humor, and passion to the stage. Learn more about E-Baby at www.ebabypoems.com.

Feature:

Be Steadwell

(They/Them, Be)

Be is a queer pop composer and author from Washington DC. Be's goal as an artist is to write love stories centering Black girlies, introverts and weirdos.

Be earned a BA in Black Studies from Oberlin College and an MFA in film from Howard University. Be's short films Vow of Silence and Black Tea (2025) screened in film festivals around the world, including Black Star, HBO OutFest, The Schomburg Center, Inside Out Toronto and The Bush Films.
In 2019, Be wrote and directed Dear Ex, the musical. Dear Ex imagines a queer black woman's experience of healing after a breakup. In 2021 Be released their pop and R&B album- Succulent. In 2023, Be joined the cast of Parable of the Sower the Opera by Toshi Reagon and Dr Bernice Johnson Reagon.
Be released their debut romance novel Chocolate Chip City in 2025. Be currently lives in Baltimore. They tour their music and work as an adjunct lecturer at Howard University.

FEATURING:

Jonte Luki

Jonté Luki, affectionately known as Luki, is a Washington, D.C. native who has graced stages across the DMV, New York, and Philadelphia since 2016. A multifaceted artist, Luki has made notable TV appearances, been spotlighted on radio, and featured in documentaries as a powerful poetic voice. She has also shared her insight on panels and spoken at schools and inner-city youth organizations, inspiring young audiences to embrace their potential.
As a married mother of three, Luki is an educator in D.C. Public Schools and Baltimore City Schools, where she empowers students through literacy and self-expression. Identifying as a Mindful Arts Practitioner, she curates events and develops curriculum to inspire students to think critically about themselves and their impact on the world.
Jonté Luki envisions a future where love and literature are catalysts for change and acceptance.

FEATURING:

Malachi Byrd

Proud Washington D.C. native Malachi Byrd is a twenty-four year-old graduate of Princeton University. The captain and co-founder of ContraVerse, his high school slam team, Malachi led the team to the 2014 Louder Than a Bomb – DMV title. He also is a 2-time member of the DC Youth Poetry Slam Team, including the 2014 winners of the Brave New Voices International Poetry Festival. A rapper, poet, scholar, and activist, Malachi has won numerous awards and scholarships, and has performed on television (including two episodes of Lexus Verses and Flow and CW’s All-American), radio, at protests on the national mall, the Kennedy Center, the White House, and many more venues around the world. He is the self-proclaimed first Senator of Washington D.C., (Vote Byrd 2032) and will use his education to help tackle problems of inequality and inequity in urban environments. An African-American Studies major and Gender & Sexualities certificate, Malachi uses his poetry as introspection, self-discovery, self-critique, and activism. He never shies away from his Blackness and makes that evident in his second release of poems, Which Picture Would They Use? (2015). His first fully published book and mixtape, dually named  is currently available. Currently located in Los Angeles, Malachi is currently working on a transcendent multimedia project called Say Less (2022), which combines science fiction, Black displacement, and the many complexities of transitioning from coast to coast. Follow along to continue to be blown away by this persistent and passionate creative young man!

FEATURING:

Javon Rustin

Javon Rustin is a poet, performer, and programmer; a writer of stories, stanzas, and software. He started competing in poetry slams after graduating from North Carolina A&T in 2013. Since then Javon has been a 2x National Poetry Slam finalist and Regional Slam champion. He has worked as a teaching artist for youth in D.C. and Dallas Public School Districts. He has been published in six anthologies and his performances can be found on Button Poetry, Write About Now, and All Def Poetry. He recently published his first full-length collection of poetry entitled “Always Been Most High”. His performances are a mix of humorous storytelling and powerful poems wrapped in wordplay, Black joy, and healing.

DJ:

DJ Diyanna Monet

DJ Diyanna Monet is a masterful curator of vibes and energy, seamlessly blending music genres to create unforgettable experiences. Known for her impeccable ear and magnetic stage presence, DJ Diyanna Monet brings passion and artistry to every set, keeping the crowd moving and connected to the rhythm of the night.

Rooted in her love for music and community, Diyanna Monet’s journey as a DJ has been fueled by her ability to adapt to any audience. Whether spinning soulful R&B, high-energy hip-hop, timeless classics, or vibrant Afrobeat grooves, she has a unique talent for crafting playlists that speak directly to the heart of the moment. Her skills have earned her a spot as a sought-after DJ at events ranging from intimate gatherings to major showcases.

Beyond her technical expertise, Diyanna Monet’s work as a DJ reflects her commitment to creating spaces of joy, inclusivity, and connection. Known for her ability to read a room and elevate the energy, she transforms any venue into an atmosphere of celebration and togetherness.

When she’s not behind the turntables, Diyanna Monet is often mentoring up-and-coming DJs and collaborating with artists to push creative boundaries. With her finger on the pulse of music and culture, she continues to innovate, inspire, and solidify her reputation as one of the most exciting DJs on the scene.

With DJ Diyanna Monet on the ones and twos, every moment becomes a soundtrack to remember

Event Venue

Busboys and Poets - Columbia, 6251 Mango Tree Road, Columbia, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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