 "Photo: Craig Emonds / For The South End")
Music, laughter and good times had by all caused 1515 Broadway to be packed Oct. 9, as Dizmantle hosted “Detroit’s Most Wanted Part 2: ‘Breaking Out the Pen … Again,’” showcasing the city’s most talented artists.
Wayne State senior and Africana Studies major Brent Smith “Blacksmith” organized the show as a sequel to the “Detroit’s Most Wanted” performance last March. All the artists featured expressed everything from their personal life experiences to their thoughts on politics through poetry, song and comedy.
“We want to give back to Detroit what Detroit gives to us,” Smith said.
Smith started as an engineering major, but felt Wayne State was missing something. He wanted to get involved with the talent he found in the city. Now, what had started as a small get-together in the dorms has become a show with quite a following.
The venue was packed wall to wall with enthusiastic audience members who interacted, swayed or sang along with each act. Every performance ended with a roar of satisfaction from the crowd.
The show kicked off with an open mic, in which poets and singers left their hearts on the stage for the audience to enjoy. The planned show followed with talents such as comedian Josh Adams, singer Shannon Williams and poet Chace Morris, a.k.a. Mic Write, — also a WSU student. A live band played interludes and occasionally accompanied the artists throughout the show.
One memorable performer was singer, guitarist and Wayne State dance major Bryan Strimpel, who graced the crowd with his original songs “Hello Darling” and “2nd Avenue” — which he dedicated to the Forest Arms Apartments. These slower songs had audience members swaying with their lighters and cell phones.
With such a good vibe and atmosphere, it was hard not to have a good time. The love for the power of words seemed to bring the diverse audience together.
“I like the positive energy,” said Katie Stachowicz, a sophomore. And she wasn’t the only one to feel that way.
“It’s opening my eyes,” said junior Marlo Mysliwiec. “I’ve never seen stuff like this before. It’s inspirational.”
Many of the artists that performed had their albums for sale at the event.
Smith said that he plans to have Part 3 of “Detroit’s Most Wanted” in 2009. Smith plans to organize a show of some type every month, including a comedy series and a bittersweet show focusing on love around Valentine’s Day. His next show on Nov. 15, will feature Kopelli, an MC.
