About this Event
Join us for an afternoon of truth-telling, courageous expression, laughter, tears, creative resistance, and collective healing at the next: SPEAK OUR TRUTH PROJECT: COURAGE & COMEDY OPEN MIC
Saturday, October 17, 2026
2:00–6:00 p.m.
LangLab — South Bend
Hosted by Eve LeVeque
Electric vibes by DJ Certified Grind
Community members from across Indiana are coming together for a powerful experience where art, lived experience, activism, courage, and comedy meet. Courage and comedy often go hand in hand. Many of us have used humor to survive painful experiences, cope with trauma, reclaim our power, and find connection in moments that once made us feel alone. Sometimes we laugh to keep from crying—and sometimes laughter finally creates enough safety for the tears to come.
Here, we honor all of it: the light and the darkness, the laughter and the tears, the pain and the healing. Through spoken word, poetry, comedy, music, storytelling, and creative expression, youth, parents, artists, advocates, survivors, and community members will share their truths and illuminate the realities our children, families, and communities continue to face. Together, we are dreaming a new world into being—one where we have the courage to witness the truth of our youth and communities, break cycles of silence, and transform pain into connection, purpose, and collective action.
A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO TAKISHA JACOBS
This event will include a special tribute honoring our fellow warrior mother, TaKisha Jacobs, who died by suicide on June 21, 2026.TaKisha, a local activist and co-founder of Connect 2B the Change, advocated and fought endlessly for child safety and gun reform after her 15-year-old son, Abdul, was lost to gun violence in 2017.
We will honor TaKisha, Abdul, their stories, and the love and advocacy that continue to live through the movement she helped strengthen.Their lives remind us why community care matters, why no parent or advocate should be left to carry unimaginable grief alone, and why we must continue building systems and communities that protect, support, and truly see one another.
COMEDY HEADLINER: MIC SHAW
In partnership with Pedigree Entertainment, we are excited to welcome Indianapolis comedian Mic Shaw as our comedy headliner!Mic Shaw has performed on stages across the country. He recently appeared with Alex Thomas here in South Bend and will bring his experience, humor, and powerful presence to Courage & Comedy Open Mic.
WANT TO SHARE YOUR STORY, TALENT, OR ART?
We welcome:
• Comedy
• Dance
• Music
• Poetry
• Spoken word
• Storytelling
• Testimony
• Creative expression of all kinds
Registration is required for everyone who wishes to speak or perform.
Performer Registration Deadline: Sunday, October 4thRegister here:
https://docs.google.com/.../17m4tJzg0y3v5j6fvzhrhI5C.../edit
NEW: YOUTH AND COMMUNITY ARTIST VENDOR SPACE
For the first time, we are opening a limited number of vendor spaces for local youth and community artists to display, share, and sell their original artwork and merchandise during our Community Connection from 2:00–4:00 p.m. We are also excited to welcome a youth face painter and two youth henna artists, including a young artist from Henna with Dia! We especially encourage local youth and community artists to apply. Space is limited, and registration is required.
Artist Vendor Registration Deadline: Sunday, October 4th
Complete the Artist Vendor Form here:
https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSc1wBrqNfq.../viewform...
EVENT PROGRAM
2:00–4:00 p.m. — COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Come early to connect with local youth and community artists, advocates, organizations, families, and community members from across Indiana. Families can participate in interactive creative art activities, shop original artwork and merchandise, visit community resource tables, and enjoy electric vibes from our favorite DJ, Certified Grind!Youth face painting and henna art will be available from 2:00–4:00 p.m. Pay as you’re led; participating youth artists will keep all donations they receive.
4:00–6:00 p.m. — MAIN EVENT
Experience powerful performances, courageous stories, meaningful laughter, and creative expression that illuminate the movement for child safety, justice, collective healing, and human rights.
ATTENDEES CAN ALSO ENJOY:
• Café and 21+ bar from 3:00-6:00 p.m.
• Electric vibes by DJ Certified Grind
• Youth and community artist merchandise
• Artist vendor spaces and community organization resources from 2:00–4:00 p.m.
• Face painting and henna art from 2:00–4:00 p.m.
SPONSORS NEEDED
We are currently seeking individuals, businesses, and organizations to help sponsor Courage & Comedy Open Mic.Your support will help us create a welcoming, accessible, and powerful community experience centered on truth-telling, creative expression, child safety, justice, and collective healing.Help sponsor this event by donating here:
https://riosrainbow.org/donate/
CURRENT EVENT SPONSORS
Creative Face Painting by Diana
Cilantro Hair Spa
DeliaMar Mega Shop
Rio’s Rainbow Foundation
This family-friendly event is FREE and open to the public. People of all ages are invited to witness and participate in a space where truth is honored, vulnerability is recognized as power, and community members do not have to carry their stories alone.Join us for an afternoon where voices rise, community gathers, laughter and tears are equally welcome, local artists are celebrated, and the movement grows stronger—beginning with our own courage to speak, listen, witness, create, and heal.
Event venue & nearby stays
LangLab, 1302 High Street, South Bend, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.