Equilibrium, EQ for short, is the Loft's ground-breaking and wildly successful series devoted to spoken word artists and audiences of color. Acclaimed as one of the Nation's top spoken word venues, EQ combines an intimate, engaging atmosphere with energetic, packed houses. EQ has created a space where national talent shares the stage with local emerging artists. As community organizer and educator Fouzi Slisli states, "EQ engages communities of color across the board, not just one group—it creates a space where solidarity becomes natural."

EQ was just named the 2010 Minnesota Nonprofit Award winner for Anti-Racism Initiative (see the award video below).

In addition to blockbuster spoken word shows, EQ has honored pioneers in the genre and artists of color in the Twin Cities, hosted book and CD release parties, offered workshops with Def Poetry Jam artists for at-risk youth and underrepresented communities, and collaborated with community artists on an innovative cross-generational spoken word mentorship program. Equilibrium has also produced its first-ever spoken word compilation CD, ¿Nation of Immigrants?, and has taken its artists outside the Metro area and into Greater Minnesota with its Echolocation program. Now in its 8th season, Equilibrium still packs in the crowds, bringing together the biggest names and the brightest up-and-comers to be found within the national spoken word scene.

• EQ Mailing list: If you’d like to be added to the EQ mailing list, send a request to   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it @loft.org, the Program's Director.
• EQ on Facebook: Check out Equilibrium is on Facebook! EQ on Facebook
• EQ Events: Check the Loft's monthly Events Calendar for upcoming EQ dates. Calendar

EQ Spoken Word CD

 ¿Nation of Immigrants? is EQ's first CD showcasing Minnesota poets, spoken word artists, and artists of color/indigenous artists. Featured artists include Robert Karimi, Marcie Rendon, Juliana Hu Pegues, Tatiana Ormaza, Ibe Kaba, Khalid Adam, Preeti Kaur, Bobby Wilson, Lorena Duarte, Ka Vang, Ed Bok Lee, Tish Jones, Diego Vazquez, Christy Namee Eriksen, and Charlotte Albrecht. Curated by Bao Phi, the CD was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Antonio Rosario and features original cover art by Ricardo Levins Morales.
        Star Tribune Review  City Pages Review

To Purchase the CD: Contact Bao Phi at 612-215-2585 or mail a check for $14 to the Loft. You may also order the CD by paying through PayPal (below). Quantities are limited.

EQ Testimonials and in the News

A Voice that Sings: Spoken Word Artist Bao Phi, diaCRITICS, May 18, 2011

Spoken Word Women, Minnesota Women's Press, March 2011

"The importance of an ongoing series like Equilibrium cannot be underestimated. It has been and must continue to be a haven for amazing, talented, and often underappreciated artists especially artists of color. Equilibrium has become not only a vital space of intersection bringing the best and brightest spoken word talents in the Twin Cities and nationwide together across lines of race, gender, and sexual orientation-->        —Dennis Kim aka Denizen Kane, co-founder I Was Born With Two Tongues, Typical Cats, Tree City Legends, and 3 time featured Def Poetry Jam poet. 

"As a professor at the University of Minnesota, I greatly appreciate Equilibrium shows at the Loft as a rich, one of a kind resource in the twin cities, especially for the diverse communities of color. Every time there is an upcoming show, I make sure to spread the word among my students and friends. Students always remark on the amazing quality of the shows, often saying they were inspired by the performers and that they loved being in the midst of a supportive, energetic community of color. Equilibrium is one of the best educational programs available to young aspiring artists and to individuals and families seeking a enriching, safe, and nurturing environment to explore the arts."
        —Richard M. Lee, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychology and Asian American Studies, University of Minnesota 

"I'm a medical student and poet who loves the word and community. When I first moved to Minneapolis from the Bay Area, I thought I had entered no-man's land of the Midwest, where voices of color didn't see the stage very often. But then I discovered EQ. The EQ events I have attended have never disappointed me. I have always felt refreshed and rejuvenated by what I hear and the crowd I see. I am so thankful that EQ exists here in the Twin Cities and I hope to continue to enjoy the privilege to attend EQ events."
        —Preeti Kaur Rajpal

"Equilibrium still packs in the crowds at The Loft Literary Center. Bringing together the biggest names and the brightest up-and-comers to be found within the national spoken word scene, series creator and emcee Bao Phi assembles poets of color before capacity crowds to share and inspire via their words. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry (as the old adage goes) and you’ll also wonder how you got so much spoken word for having only kissed five bucks goodbye. At least, I did, as I found an inconspicuous space within the tightly-packed audience of young and restless fans of voice, and got lost in the rhythms of presiding beatsmith DJ Nak while I waited for the main show to begin."
        —Rob Callahan, Minnesota Microphone: MN to the Mic to the Max!