HXSTORY
common ground follows in the tradition of One Mic, an open mic series that was coordinated by the spoken word group, Mai Piece, and ran from January 2004 to February 2006 throughout Orange County. Following transitions and location challenges, One Mic went on permanent hiatus.
In 2010, there was a statewide gathering of over 50 people who identified as Viet and progressive to learn, share, and explore what it means to build a vision for social justice in the Viet community. This gathering sparked renewed interest in recreating an open mic series in the region. And this seemed like an opportune moment coinciding with VAALA's Cultural Center opening in Santa Ana the previous year. Shortly after the gathering, local activists, artists, and organizers met to discuss and develop what would be known as common ground, which kicked off its inaugural show at the VAALA Cultural Center in August of 2010.
In 2010, there was a statewide gathering of over 50 people who identified as Viet and progressive to learn, share, and explore what it means to build a vision for social justice in the Viet community. This gathering sparked renewed interest in recreating an open mic series in the region. And this seemed like an opportune moment coinciding with VAALA's Cultural Center opening in Santa Ana the previous year. Shortly after the gathering, local activists, artists, and organizers met to discuss and develop what would be known as common ground, which kicked off its inaugural show at the VAALA Cultural Center in August of 2010.