Est. 2001 · South Florida
The B Side
Twenty-five years of soul, community, and culture built one night at a time.
Ingrid B. Bazin · Founder
The Soul of South Florida
Ingrid-Michele Bazin, known professionally as Ingrid B., is the founder of On The B Side, formerly operating as B Side Entertainment. In 2001, she created a home for authentic art in South Florida, built on a simple belief: that the most powerful moments happen in intimate spaces, between real people, in real time.
What started as an open mic night became a movement. A community. A cultural institution. Through The Bohemia Room, Flow Fridays, Mellow Dramatic Mondays, and The Poetry Spot, Ingrid B. built gathering spaces for poetry, spoken word, live soul music, and connection across South Florida.
Twenty-five years later, the mission is the same: create space for authentic voices, celebrate Black art and culture, and remind South Florida that its soul is very much alive.
The Journey
A Timeline of Soul
The Events Begin
Ingrid B Bazin begins producing events and promoting music in South Florida, laying the foundation for what will become B Side Entertainment.
Incorporated
B Side Entertainment formally incorporates, giving official structure to a vision already in motion.
Early Press Documentation
B Side Entertainment appears in the Miami Herald's Local Music Directory, naming Ingrid B. and documenting Flow Fridays and Mellow Dramatic Mondays as recurring South Florida events.
View Preserved CopySoul Survivors
Soul Survivors launches as a community event rooted in purpose, bringing awareness to breast cancer and domestic violence. That same year, B Side expands into live music, adding singers and musicians to its growing programming.
Best Poetry Scene & National Slam
Miami New Times recognizes the South Florida poetry scene in its Best of Miami 2005 issue. That same year, B Side Entertainment and Proctor Management co-create the Miami Masters National Poetry Slam Team, competing at Nationals for the first time.
Miami New Times Best of Miami 2005Flow Fridays, Mellow Dramatic Mondays, and The Bohemia Room
Three recurring experiences take root and build a loyal community. Flow Fridays, Mellow Dramatic Mondays, and The Bohemia Room become established gathering spaces for poetry, live music, and connection across South Florida.
The Bohemia Room Wins Best Open Mike
Miami New Times names The Bohemia Room Best Open Mike, highlighting its poetry, live band and host Ingrid B. That same year, Ingrid B lands the cover of City Link magazine, and The Bohemia Room expands into brand collaborations, hosting listening parties for artists including Talib Kweli and Chrisette Michele.
Miami New Times Best of Miami 2007Lyric Cafe, BET J and Centric TV
Ingrid B serves as Poet Producer for two seasons of Lyric Cafe, associated with BET J and Centric TV, bringing the B Side's voice to a national television audience.
To Her With Love
B Side Entertainment produces a Women's History Month celebration at the Miami Improv, featuring Georgia Me and Naima J, honoring community, and collecting donations for Women in Distress.
Miami New Times 100 Creatives
Ingrid Bazin is featured in Miami New Times' 100 Creatives series, recognizing her place in Miami's creative community. By November, four recurring B Side experiences are documented, including The Soulcial, The Bohemia Room, Flow Fridays, and So You thInk You Can Karaoke.
Read: 100. Ingrid BazinAnniversary and Legislative Recognition
The Bohemia Room celebrates its tenth anniversary at Grand Central. State Representative Dwight Bullard presents a proclamation during the celebration, recognizing the venue's contribution to the community.
Read the Anniversary Press ReleaseExpanding the Stage
Ingrid B hosts The Messengers: A Spoken Word Experience at HistoryMiami, supports the Honey Shine mixer with Tracy Mourning, promotes book signings for Sheila E., Sister Souljah, and Gloria Estefan at Miami Book Fair, and curates poetry aboard the 10th Annual Capital Jazz Cruise.
Golden Ball Honoree Announcement
The Miami Times names Ingrid Bazin among the announced honorees for the Sister I Have Your Back Golden Ball, recognizing her years of creating platforms for local talent.
The Miami Times, March 2019Resilience and Reinvention
The Poetry Spot builds an online community on Clubhouse. Event curation resumes in November 2020. The Summer of Soul anniversary series in May 2021 brings together The Bohemia Room, The Poetry Spot Live, and The Soulcial at venues across South Florida.
Will Da Real One Bell Trailblazer Award
Ingrid B. is named the Will Da Real One Bell Trailblazer Award honoree at the inaugural National Poetry Month Festival in Riviera Beach, recognizing her contribution to South Florida's poetry community.
WLRN, April 13, 2021A Lasting Presence
WLRN profiles On The B Side's longstanding role in the spoken word community ahead of The B Side Slam at Red Rooster in Historic Overtown, marking 25 years as a South Florida cultural staple.
B SIDE 25
A quarter century of people, poetry, music, and community. The anniversary celebration at the Historic Lyric Theater in Overtown takes place during Miami Art Week, and the next 25 begin.
"The Soul of South Florida is ON THE B SIDE."
Press Archive
Ingrid B. in the News
People, poetry, live music and a whole lot of soul. Explore the stories, interviews and moments documenting Ingrid B., The Bohemia Room and On The B Side through the years.
Featured Stories
Miami New Times · June 30, 2005
Word Life
By Mosi Reeves
Coverage of Mello Mondays at the District, including Ingrid B.'s role as host of Miami's premier poetry gathering.
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Miami New Times · October 12, 2010
100. Ingrid Bazin
By Ily Goyanes
A profile in the publication's 100 Creatives series, recognizing Ingrid Bazin's place in Miami's creative community.
Read Article
VoyageMIA · March 23, 2023
Life & Work with Ingrid B. Bazin
A profile exploring Ingrid B.'s life, work, and the story behind On The B Side and its 20-plus years of poetry and live music in South Florida.
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WLRN · April 9, 2026
On The B Side Spoken Word Poetry Slam Florida
By Wilkine Brutus
Coverage of On The B Side's spoken-word community and poetry slam, highlighting the event's 25-year significance to South Florida's arts landscape.
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Forbes · June 18, 2026
The Miami Takeover And Go-Go Music's 50th Across Comedy, Art, R&B
By Desjah Altvater
An event article about The Miami Takeover that mentions Ingrid B. among the hosts of the festival's comedy, live music and art programming.
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Explore the Full Press Archive
Arranged oldest to newest. Select a year to expand its entries.
Join the Movement
Be Part of the Next Chapter
Whether you're an artist, a fan, a sponsor, or just someone who believes in the power of live culture, there's a place for you on The B Side.