HEARTSongs '25: Poetry of Freedom

HEARTS, (history, ecology, arts, reunion, trails, store) presents “HEARTSongs ‘25: Poetry of Freedom,” a celebration of poetry past and present with a local twist. Join us for an afternoon filled with poetry, history, art, music, and nature. It all takes place at Huntersville’s historic Cedar Grove and Hugh Torance House and Store on Saturday, February 22, from 2:00-5:00. This event is free to the community; tickets are available at www.heartscircle.org.  

2025 marks the 250th anniversary of Mecklenburg County’s declaration of independence from Great Britain, through the document known fondly as the Meck Dec. This milestone event is commemorated on our state flag, which bears the date May 20, 1775. To recognize this important year in American history, this year’s HEARTS events share connections to America’s earliest years, weaving the threads of freedom from the 18th century to the present.

In keeping with tradition, the fourth annual HEARTSongs spotlights the life and work of 19th-century enslaved poet George Moses Horton and his fascinating connection to the Torrance family of Huntersville’s Cedar Grove. Award-winning actor, playwright, and director Michael D. Connor will share Horton’s life story through a dramatic reading.

This event also celebrates contemporary poetry, and HEARTS is pleased to welcome Charlotte’s own Bluz as the featured poet for this event. Bluz is an award-winning poet and spoken-word artist who has won three Emmy Awards, among many others. Channeling human experience into gifts of metaphors and similes, his poetry is universal, dismantling social, economic, and ethnic barriers and reaching into the heart of the community where he is an active member. Bluz will share his work and reflect on his artistic process, the artistry of Horton's work, and the theme of “The Poetry of Freedom.”

A graduate of the University of North Carolina Charlotte, Bluz has steadily risen through the ranks of spoken word entertainment. He has published two poetry books, “Articulate Slang” and “Obscure Popularity,” and produced three audio releases.  He is the slam master and coach of SlamCharlotte, A competitive team of poets whom he led to back-to-back National Poetry Slam victories in 2007 and 2008 and a historic 3rd win in 2018. Bluz is also a 2010 Southern Fried Poetry Slam Champion.  He has featured and hosted at the LA Poetry Festival, as well as the National Poetry Slam in 2012 and the Individual World Poetry Slam in 2013. Bluz also served as a delegate and writer at the All-America City Awards where he helped Charlotte win the very sought-after award of All-America City. 

The musical guest for February is Statesville’s Insomniacs. Led by Tevin Carr, Insomniacs is a non-profit organization helping emerging artists and musicians in Statesville gain exposure. An offshoot program, Hipknotics, gives local students engaging learning experiences through the mediums of hip-hop, creative writing, podcasting, and music production. As a musical group, Tevin performs with a rhythm section and partner Capra on vocals. Don’t miss this intimate performance by an act who is also playing a huge role in supporting arts and music in their community. 

HEARTS is pleased to welcome Vision Elite Royalty Dance Company to HEARTSongs 25: the Poetry of Freedom. Vision Elite Royalty is the performing company of Vision Gymnastics and Dance, founded by Artistic Director Jane Johnson. Mikayla Johnson, in addition to performing with Vision Elite Royalty also handles choreography duties. 

“Unspoken Poetry” is the new visual art exhibit featured in the Center Hall of Cedar Grove.  In partnership with Nine Eighteen NIne Gallery, HEARTS presents the works of John R. Miles, IIIand Sloane Siobhan. Both artists present large-scale diptychs that silently share poetry in visual terms. The artworks are conduits of the artists’ feelings and expressions, offering thoughtful unspoken dialogue to the viewer.  Surrounding the large paintings, is a selection of mixed-media black and white collages from Trey's "America Gentrified" series which won an award for "Best Exhibit" in Charlotte in 2023.

John R. Miles, III, also known as Trey, is a collage and mixed-media artist from Charlotte, NC. He pursued his passion for art at Western Carolina University, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in graphic design. His work is currently on view at The VAPA Center, the Harvey B. Gantt Center, and The Brooklyn Collective.  Trey’s art has also been showcased at renowned institutions such as The Mint Museum, Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry, and Raleigh's Contemporary Art Museum (CAM). Through his dynamic and thoughtful creations, Trey continues to push the boundaries of collage and mixed media.

Sloane Siobhan is a mixed-media oil painter, tattoo artist, and muralist. Her work has been described as lifting the veil between fact and fiction, alluding to folklore/mythology, and intertwining abstract with realism by combining fluid color with portraiture. She received her Bachelor of Fine Art in Studio Art at Appalachian State University. Her work has been exhibited at the Harvey Gantt Center for African American Art + Culture, and she was one of five featured artists at the Mint Museum Uptown as a tribute to the John T. Biggers collection. Siobhan's art has also been showcased at Feast Your Eyes, an art-inspired dinner, and featured in numerous publications including Creative Loafing Charlotte, the Charlotte Observer, QC Metro, along with a feature in the NY Post. 

In 2025, the ecological component of HEARTS events will focus on natural and historic gardening, featuring specific plants and timely seasonal gardening tips. When time and money are important, natural gardening has advantages above all the rest, benefiting the gardener and restoring nature too.  In February learn how to prepare for a natural garden in 2025. Join the new/old gardening way to work with nature for better results.  

Cedar Grove is the National Register 1831 Greek Revival home of James Torrance, son of Hugh and Isabella Torance. During HEARTS happenings, the first floor of the private home is available for exploring, as well as the historic site next door, the Hugh Torance House and Store, one of Mecklenburg County’s few surviving 18th-century structures. The Store will be open during the event offering an assortment of artisanal and local goods, and opens for the season in February on most Sundays and some Saturdays from 1:00-4:00. 

Designed to enhance our community’s shared sense of place, HEARTS grass-roots events are known for juxtaposing regional history, ecology, and the arts. HEARTS (history, ecology, arts, reunion, trails, store) happenings are free, dynamic gatherings featuring music, visual arts, and lectures exploring local history, nature, and our shared sense of place. These events are made possible by dedicated volunteers, HEARTS Circle members, community partners, presenting sponsor Lake Norman Realty, and donations.  

February 2025 marks HEARTS' fourth year of programs, its first year to present happenings beyond the historic sites of Cedar Grove and the Hugh Torance House and Store. Exciting HEARTS happenings are also coming to Lincoln County and Iredell County this year through HEARTS Collaborative Inc., a 501c3 non-profit organization supporting other non-profits, history, nature, and the arts in the Catawba Valley region, and providing ongoing stewardship of the Hugh Torance House and Store, the oldest standing store in North Carolina. HEARTS' mission is to weave the threads of local people, places, and pieces into a vibrant and interconnected tapestry for the Catawba Valley region. 

Please join HEARTS Circle to support preserving, restoring, and sharing the important history of our region. For more information, visit www.heartscircle.org, email info@heartscollaborative.org, or call (704) 920-9931.