ICE Raids at LA Metro: Creatives Respond | Annenberg Media

LA’s Union Station Hosts Powerful Night of Performance Art, Confronting Loss, Identity, and the Future of Creativity

Metro Art’s LAte Night Train of Thought, held at Los Angeles Union Station on November 8, offered a compelling exploration of art’s power to connect, heal, and ignite social change. The event, which featured spoken word poetry, improvisation, and rap, underscored the vital role of accessible art in a rapidly evolving world.

Nate Lovell Opens with a Story of Unconditional Love and Loss

The evening commenced with a deeply personal performance by spoken word artist Nate Lovell, who shared the story of his father’s battle with cancer. Lovell masterfully blended abstract metaphors with raw emotional honesty, revealing the painful truth that his father, even on his deathbed, did not reciprocate the depth of love Lovell felt for him. “Let’s turn the tears into taffy, the ache into altar, the wound into witness, because art connects the way mercy does,” Lovell stated, articulating the transformative potential of artistic expression. “Not because it erases the hurt but because it dares to love who hurt us anyway.”

Metro Art and the Importance of Accessible Performance

Metro Art, the Los Angeles Metro’s initiative to democratize art access, positioned the LAte Night Train of Thought as a showcase for performance art. The event emphasized forms like spoken word poetry, improvisation, and rap, aiming to engage Angelenos in dynamic and thought-provoking experiences.

“How Does Art Connect LA?” Panel Highlights Challenges and Opportunities

A central component of the evening was the panel discussion, “How Does Art Connect LA?” featuring prominent figures in the Los Angeles arts scene. Participants included Moira Shourie, executive director of Zócalo Public Square; Vanessa Ragland, co-founder of Dynasty Typewriter; Jasmine Williams, president of Da Poetry Lounge Co. (DPL); Sasheer Zamata of Dynasty Typewriter; and comedian and rapper Open Mike Eagle.

Shourie noted that “2025 for Los Angeles has been the year of fire and ICE,” alluding to the complex socio-political climate impacting the city’s creative landscape. Williams voiced concerns about the disruptive impact of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on creative spaces like DPL, where artists fear potential raids. As the leader of a predominantly Black organization, Williams stressed the critical need for accessibility and safety for marginalized communities within creative environments, particularly given the current political climate. She argued that simply “waking up every morning and cultivating a community” is the most impactful action creatives can take during challenging times.

The Power of Community and the Threat of Isolation

Ragland emphasized the fundamental connection between art and human interaction, stating, “Art is meant to ignite us and connect us. [Being a creative] literally changes lives.” She highlighted the role of spaces like Da Poetry Lounge, which has fostered community through performance art for over 27 years, serving as a gateway for individuals to discover spoken word poetry. Williams shared that the lounge “saved” her life, echoing Eagle’s sentiment that creative hubs like DPL, The Upright Citizens Brigade, and spaces in Lincoln Heights are essential sources of inspiration.

However, Ragland also cautioned that the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital media consumption is making it easier to experience art in isolation. “There’s no time in history that [performance art] has been more important and at more of a premium with everything that’s going on with the internet and AI,” she asserted. “One thing that keeps us human is the sharing of space with other people, and the way it can transform us.”

Calls for Investment in Artists and Accessible Opportunities

Ragland advocated for government incentives and rewards for artists, recognizing art’s transformative power. Williams echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for artists to earn a living wage and afford rent in Los Angeles. Zamata agreed, noting that while opportunities in television exist, they are often found outside of Hollywood. “It’s a shame because we have the prose here. This is Hollywood. It’s where everything had a move,” she lamented, expressing a desire to revitalize local opportunities.

Cultivating Creativity and Amplifying Voices

When asked for advice, Eagle encouraged aspiring artists to actively seek opportunities to develop their skills through workshops in poetry, acting, or comedy. Williams added that volunteering in creative industries provides invaluable learning experiences.

The evening also featured a powerful performance by spoken word poet Ravina Deepak Wadhani, who delivered a poem centered on her name. Wadhani’s performance resonated deeply with the audience, who responded by collectively vocalizing her name, a poignant statement against the erasure of identity. She powerfully articulated the experience of having one’s name mispronounced, stating, “When you sound out my name and our names, there is an army of a matriarchy threaten[ing] to remind you that our names are not crafted to sit pretty on your tongue.”

Improv actors Eugene Cordero, Colton Dunn, Lauren Lapkus, Ify Nwadiwe, Gil Ozeri, and Zamata followed with skits inspired by attendees’ travel stories. The night culminated with a performance by Eagle, who rapped about the artistic experience and the often-overlooked creativity of those struggling financially.

Ragland concluded with a powerful call to action: “If there’s ever a place for a soul to wake up, it’s in Los Angeles.” She emphasized, “It’s our human responsibility to keep [art] alive.”