Cost: $0-20

Organizer: Museum of Contemporary Art, Young Chicago Authors, Columbia College Chicago and the Department of Cultural Affairs Theater

What to expect: Performances, discussions and readings featuring top local and national artists.

Why to go: It's hard to decide between Jerry Quickley's political poetry, the rhyme styles of local rappers Rhymefest and Capital D and the spoken-word performance of Rha Goddess. So we won't.

Additional info: Some events take place at the Chicago Cultural Center (77 E. Randolph St.). The opening night party will be at the Funky Buddha Lounge (728 W. Grand Ave.) beginning at 10 p.m. on May 3 (free admission with opening night ticket). For the full schedule, check out the website.

Centerstage Reviewer: Ben Rubenstein