LOOKING GLASS: THE MAGO SHOWCASE

Part of the ARTIVISM Blog!

by Kai Malette

One of the best parts about being a production company is the ability to connect and work with artists as they show off what they can do. It's almost fitting that one of our best selling ones came from within our own team. Let's take a look at the Looking Glass: Mago Showcase, brought to you by ARTIVISM, and headlined by our very own: Spike Dickerson.

The Looking Glass Showcase!

A recent graduate of Howard University (HU? You know.), Spike, affectionately known as 'Spikey McGoo' or 'Goober' by the members of ARTIVISM, has a degree in Music Business and Classical Voice, and had a grand idea to show the latter off in a more personal way, showcasing the performer known as Mago. Can't blame them, either-- one should never shy away from putting their skills to good use. So, with that in mind, they planned a set list, and ARTIVISM took care of the invitations.

Always a reliable partner, Aurora Market did us the honor of giving us the space to put on yet another show. (Seriously, our shenanigans would not be possible without that place, go support whenever you can!) A few well-placed chairs, lights, and decorative leaves later, and the basement was transformed into a venue just as beautiful as the music that would come after.

Aurora Market, our beloved

We have hosted a few laid-back artist showcases before, but this was the first time we had seen a crowd fill in the same way Mago's supporters did. It's truly inspiring to know that so many would come out on a Friday night to support an artist in their craft.

Mago's set consisted of songs that touched the emotions of the listener. Some were heartfelt tracks that expressed messages of freedom, love, and personal feelings; others were tracks that spoke to her own personal spirit. There aren't many places where one can mix online musicals, Bo Burnham, The Eagles, and Justin Timberlake, but we have Mago. That would have happened no matter what. No matter the genre, the audience sat in stunned silence as the performance continued.

The most heartwarming part of the night came from the familial bond ARTIVISM shares. It is a well known fact that this team consists of several artists and musicians, each with their own specialty. Mago found it fitting that for one song each, a member would play as accompaniment-- Jus Josh and his six-string bass, Icy Tides and his guitar, K.K. (me) on the saxophone; even Jamie, our marketing director and one of Spike's closest friends lent her voice to the program.

As ARTIVISM, we have been through a good amount of shenanigans together (and that's putting it lightly), but through it all, there is an essence of found family-- the air was filled with love as we performed together. Everyone has something to offer, and that's a mentality that we live by.

The final song of the showcase was a rendition of Justin Timberlake's 'Mirrors,' a classic for the enjoyers of the 2010s. While originally a solo act that omitted the post-chorus (the best part of the song in my opinion), the crowd passionately cheered for a continuation of the song, to the surprise of Mago, who happily obliged. Of course, because of how fun that song is musically, the band could not help but join in on the instrumentation, to the elation of the crowd. We couldn't just let our friend have a little finish now, could we? Go big or go home for a finale, if you ask me. If the cheers from the audience meant anything, it was that the show was a rousing success.

It cannot be overstated how much the ARTIVISM family means to one another. Sure, we all work with one another, but it would mean nothing in the long run if there was no love behind it. Creating the world we want to see includes working with love-- both to the creation and production of art and sharing love with those who create it. If you've been with us for a time, you already know that all you have to do is ask, and we'll help put on a show none will soon forget. Lifting and featuring artists is part of the mission. We thank you for coming along as we continue this creative journey.

And finally, to Spikey: This marks the first entry in our 'Artist Spotlight' tab. For all the work that you do, know that you are appreciated and loved. Thanks for setting the standard for us, and for the performances that come after.

<3

Love.