About
The Rose City Cigar & Soul Festival is the signature event presented by THE ONYX EXPERIENCE. The Onyx mission is to provide opportunities for like minded individuals to forge connections, grow personally and explore collectively.
The Rose City Cigar & Soul Festival is a pioneering gathering designed to unite people through the love of cigars, music, and vibrant networking opportunities. Set in the scenic Portland Metro Area, this festival aims to elevate the cigar culture while offering an immersive experience featuring cigar makers, distillers, musical talents, and local brands.
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The culture of cigars is rich with history and tradition and is one of connectivity. A conversation over a cigar is an equalizer between complete strangers from different races, genders and walks of life. A unique combination of art and pleasure, cigar smoking has been associated with some of the most powerful and influential people in the world and seen as a symbol of status and luxury.
Rose City Cigar & Soul Festival brings together multiple cigar groups, cigar enthusiasts and music lovers from the Pacific NW and across the United States. Business professionals, influencers, entrepreneurs and music lovers will visit the Rose City to coalesce and share insights and experiences all brought together by the lighting of a fine cigar.
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ABOUT THE FOUNDER
Ericka Warren is a Portland based entrepreneur, strategist, and experience curator known for bringing people together through culture, community, and elevated social experiences. With more than three decades of experience hosting events, coordinating group travel, and producing gatherings of all sizes, she has built a reputation for transforming ordinary occasions into thoughtfully curated, memorable experiences.
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Driven by a lifelong passion for culture, music, hospitality, and human connection, Ericka founded The Onyx Experience in 2018. The brand produces bespoke lifestyle events designed to create space for connection, celebration, and meaningful conversation. She is also the executive producer of the Rose City Cigar & Soul Festival, a multi day cultural and lifestyle event held in Portland that brings together cigar enthusiasts, music lovers, premium brands, and entrepreneurs from across the country for a weekend of curated experiences.
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In addition to her work in the events space, Ericka is the founder and principal of Evolucion Group LLC, a boutique consulting firm specializing in facilitation, equitable engagement strategy, and strategic communications. Her work focuses on helping organizations navigate complex conversations, strengthen community relationships, and move initiatives forward with clarity and purpose.
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A creative at heart, Ericka’s professional path has also included work in the music industry as a songwriter, producer, and vocalist, performing alongside acclaimed musicians throughout her career. Today, she continues to blend creativity, strategy, and cultural insight across her ventures.
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Above all, Ericka is deeply committed to community, culture, and family. As a proud mother and lifelong lover of the arts, food, travel, and meaningful connection, she brings authenticity, warmth, and vision to everything she creates.
