Song interpreters Lydia Brown, Susanne Mentzer, Clara Osowski, Scott Brunscheen, Jonathan Ware, and more, celebrate the community of song through the cycles of Libby Larsen, Minnesota’s most recent composer designate in Academy of Arts and Letters. This performance is made possible in part by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Doors open at 3PM, show at 5PM

The Sparks & Wiry Cries songSLAM, in partnership with Source Song Festival, is a unique opportunity for composer/performer teams to premiere new art songs and compete for cash prizes. This social event will take place at ICEHOUSE MPLS 2528 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55404, on January 25, 2026, and will be hosted by Chris Koza.

Each team will present a new song for voice and piano in any language for the voting audience, who—in the poetry slam tradition—will then vote on their favorites and award $1500 in prize money: 

$700 for first place, $500 for second place and $300 for third place