ritual & release

Marcus Amaker // @charlestonpoet

Marcus Amaker (he/him) is an Academy of American Poets Fellow, served as Charleston’s first Poet Laureate from2016-22, and is the recipient of a SC Governor’s Award for the Arts. The South CarolinaAcademy of Authors inducted him into the South Carolina Literary Hall of Fame in 2024.Marcus’ artistic output is abundant: He’s released more than 40 albums of music, published ten volumes of poetry, wrote an original opera for the Chicago Opera Theater, started a poetry festival, and is the lead graphic designer for No Depression, a national bluegrass music journal. His poetry is featured on two Grammy-nominated albums, and his work has been recognized by The Washington Post, NPR, PBS Newshour, and many more.His re-written version of "My Country Tis of Thee" was used by the Washington National Opera for President Biden’s inauguration concert. Marcus is also a teaching artist who leads writing workshops in schools across the country. He is the artist-in-residence emeritus of The Gaillard Center, a world-renowned performance venue in Charleston, SC.

A$iah Mae // @asiahmae

AsiahMae, stylized A$iahMae, (they/she) is a Black, non-binary Southern poet, and cultural worker with roots in Georgia, South and North Carolina. A trans-disciplinary artist, their background spans across film, curation, production, performance and language arts. Their work is grounded in a commitment to documenting and preserving the Black South and a devotion to love and land, which she believes comes from the same heart space. A$iahmae is a Watering Hole Fellow and has been featured in The Gibbes Museum of Art, Charleston Wine & Food Festival, The Festival of Words: LA,  The Charleston Literary Festival, and most recently in This is The Honey: An Anthology of Contemporary Black Poets, curated by Kwame Alexander. They are currently serving as the Second Poet Laureate of Charleston, SC.

Allison Forbes // @allisonforbeslyric

Allison Forbes (she/her) is a local singer/songwriter. She is the lead vocalist in Rooks&Raven and Swamp House Rebellion. With her love for animals, she put on her first music festival, Local Fund Fest, this past July raising over $7000 for a local animal rescue. Her music can be found on all streaming platforms and music videos on YouTube. She uses her own experience to share haunting, empowering, and man-eating lyrics. She’s also the owner of Forbes Fitness where she trains online clients in the physical, mental, and energetic aspects of wellness.

Tethered Wrds (Will Davis) // @tetheredwrds

Will Davis (he/him), known as Tethered Wrds, is a steward of stories, dedicated to sharing life in a way that speaks life, inspires dignity, and does good. A published author, his debut poetry collection, Threads of Resilience: Weaving the Human Spirit Through Poetry, explores the lived experiences of migrants and immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. He is currently working on his second book, Upon the Jet Stream, which delves into themes of war, hope, and the healing power of beauty. Beyond writing, Will is an educator, immigration and human rights activist, and a passionate advocate for fostering empathy through storytelling. 

Edie Allen // @iamedieallen

Edie Allen (she/her) is a Reiki Master, Teacher, as well as an award winning actor, comedian, writer, director, producer, entrepreneur and advocate who serves on the Executive Council for Steven Tyler’s Janie's Fund - a philanthropic organization that brings therapeutic healing resources to girls who have been victims of abuse and sexual trauma. A survivor herself, her healing journey led her to becoming a Mental Health Specialist at age 21 and has been in the personal development and healing industry ever since.

Riyah Thor// @riyahrose1

RIYAH THOR (she/her) is a somatic dance facilitator, artist, and coach. With over 12 years of experience supporting women one on one, on group dancefloors, and in nature, she has dedicated her life to learning and sharing the art(s) of embodied reconnection so we can all live more fully alive. Riyah believes that authentic expression leads to a more beautiful, vibrant, and sustainable world. When we know how to get our needs met and give to others, our communities thrive. "At 17, I asked the universe how to heal. I heard one word: ‘dance’, so I did. This started my movement journey, and eventually led me to discover dance therapy as a practice and career path, and I’ve been dancing ever since."

Sunny Shah // @wholesomelearning

Sunny Shah (he/him) is an educator, speaker, and founder of Wholesome Learning, an enrichment program dedicated to helping high-achieving students develop focus, resilience, and confidence. Beyond academics, Sunny is deeply invested in personal growth and the human experience, often exploring themes of transformation, perseverance, and self-discovery through storytelling and spoken word. At Ritual & Release, Sunny shares his own journey with loss—the moments that shattered him, the silence that followed, and the unexpected ways healing took shape. Through his words, he explores the weight of grief, the lessons it leaves behind, and the quiet strength that grows when we finally let go.

Gervase Kolmos // @gervasekolmos

Gervase is an Inner Transformation Coach with 11+ years of experience and the host of The Modern Phoenix Podcast. Blending her modalities of coaching, hypnotherapy and focalizing (a trauma-informed somatic healing method), she helps women untangle who they are from who the world told them to be. She guides women home to their body and soul wisdom (their “inner knowing”) amidst a messy, modern world, so they can bring the fullest version of themselves to their relationships, their work and their woman-ing. Originally from Queens, NY, she has called Charleston, SC home for the second half of her life and is raising her three young children here with her best friend and husband of 14 years.

Nora Luce // @criticalritual

Nora Luce is a folk herbalista, ceremonialist, and earth educator. As a graduate at the College of Charleston in tourism and over 6 years of study in herbalism and medical botany, she brings hospitality out into the wild. You’ll see her telling stories about plants, sharing her herbal medicine at the local farmers market, and spinning clay on the pottery wheel. She started her business Critical Ritual to craft ritual into everyday life, and to bring more ceremony and connection between people and the natural world here in Charleston.

Jess Daisi Grooms

Jess Daisi Grooms is a Board-Certified Music Therapist for the Arts In Healing Department at MUSC Hospital in downtown Charleston, SC. Jess has been in the field of Music Therapy for 23 years and provides care/support to a variety of patients, most with high trauma-based needs. Jess enjoys applying her skills and methods developed over the course of her extensive career, rich with mindfulness and trauma-informed practices. Jess also enjoys being part of the rich Charleston music scene, playing live shows with her sister and various other musicians. Her best achievement and biggest honor of life is being mom to her son Christian “Cri”. She loves to cook, adventure, travel, and greatly values the practice of balance within it all. Jess is imperatively connected to and fed by nature.

Steph FRX // @rabidlegion

Steph FRX (she/her) has a deep connection to ritual and the process of grief: “Día de los Muertos has always been my favorite Mexican holiday—it became especially meaningful after I lost my first crush in fourth grade and later, my mom during my senior year of high school. Creating altars became a way for me to process those losses and honor their memories. Growing up in Catholic school, I was fascinated with altars, rituals, and ceremonies, which naturally became a part of my artistic expression. For this ofrenda, we’ll embrace the themes of release and renewal, blending traditional elements with symbols that reflect the spirit of the evening. It will be a space for reflection, remembrance, and celebration.”

produced + curated by Kim Lange // @kimalange @wecoaststudio