tweet review - #mnfringe show 22 - Open Mic At The Dream Shop: just what the title says, a neighborhood open mic transplanted into the context of the Fringe; poets, hip hop and spoken word artists leave it all onstage using language and beats to process a lot of emotion - 4.5 stars
You learn all kinds of things at the Fringe. I didn’t know The Dream Shop is a real place (3701 North Fremont Avenue in Minneapolis), not a metaphor but a storefront where actual regular open mics and other events take place along with retail shopping, bringing in poets and spoken word and hip hop artists to perform and test their new works.
“It’s not your job to check both ways when you cross my mind.”
The show Open Mic At The Dream Shop is basically just that open mic event transplanted into the context of the Minnesota Fringe Festival, which is a great way for both artistic community resources to get to know one another better. The performance I attended had Drunken Monkey as DJ and master of ceremonies, as well as the closing spoken word performer. The crowd was small but very enthusiastic and they got quite a show, which got stronger with each successive performer.
“I’ve got a thing for you.
Come here, baby, let me show you
what this thing can do.”
The line-up in this particular performance also included a poet (Anna, aka Geometric Poems - because she posts her poems weekly online and the layout of the text is in a different shape each time), and two hip-hop artists - the young KingPrince, and the older Love, Ulyssses. They all had a lot to say and sing, at times tapping into some serious emotional depth.
“She sits in the galaxy and talks to her friends the stars.”
I’m assuming each performance is a similar mix of different kinds of artists, so if you’re looking for some infectious beats and clever word play, you should check out Open Mic At The Dream Shop. I don’t think there’s another show like it in the Fringe, a little bit of North Minneapolis come over to the West Bank.
4.5 Stars - Very Highly Recommended
Here's some handy links to a rundown of 5 and 4.5 Star shows I've seen this year, also the 4 and 3.5 Star shows, and the rest, plus this year's Top 10 list, and Top 11-20 List, and the full list of all returning favorites in the 2023 Fringe, plus a link to all the 2023 Minnesota Fringe Festival coverage.
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