In a city largely absent of activities and events related to African American culture, Springfield’s black residents have long suffered from the “there’s-nothing-to-do syndrome.” To cure their thirst for culture, many have adopted the habit of traveling to St. Louis, Chicago and Indianapolis for concerts, plays and comedy shows. But in recent years some are forgoing big city culture, choosing instead to remain in Springfield, basking in what has become a phenomenon — “Expressions in the Dark.”

For the past six years, on the first Friday of each month, The Network Group and JPEK Productions has hosted Expressions in the Dark — a venue allowing spoken word and aspiring musical artists a chance to showcase their talents. Some performers recite original dramatic poetry readings. Others belt out popular hits or original rhythm and blues, hip-hop, or rap tunes.

Feb. 5 marks Expressions’ seventh anniversary, and The Network Group and JPEK Productions will celebration with its annual anniversary themed show, “Expressions in the Red.” The event, held in the Arizona Room of the Route 66 Hotel from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., will feature local, regional and national poets, singers and musicians, some of whom have performed on Fox Television’s American Idol and HBO’s Def Poetry Jam. Along with “slamming” poets and singers, Expressions in the Red, hosted by Xplicit and Dj76Kid, will also include free champagne and chocolatecovered strawberries, as well as its customary hyped crowd all dressed in red to go along with the event’s theme.

Expressions’ regulars will see the return of Ron “Chill” Williams and Tony “DJ Tone” Muse — Expressions’ first host and deejay, as well as other local crowd favorites, such as Springfield poets A.D. Carson, Kim Connor, Will Mitchell, Misinterpretation, Butterfly, Eric Rivers, Joel King and RaChad Bradley, and Tebby Zalango, a Springfield singer, rap-

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