Young Hearts Be Free Tonight

Teen And Young Adult Performers Take The Stage “When Love Opens The Door”

By Darrell Cador // PHOTOS: DARRELL CADOR

The stars were out and shining bright February 21 at Milkboy Arthouse in College Park, Md. Well, maybe not ‘stars’ just yet, but the talented members of ‘When Love Opens The Door’ are definitely on their way.

This rousing showcase produced by the CreativeWorks Team at Joe’s Movement Emporium featured a dazzling spectrum of up-and-comers and recognized artists alike whose performances held the audience captive from start to finish.

Founded by Executive Director Brooke Kidd and headed by Program Director Cathy Smith CreativeWorks is a hands-on performing arts incubator for youths 17-22 that identifies their gifts, coaxes them to the surface, hones them to near perfection, then provides the platform for these gifts to be displayed. The one-night performance at Milkboy Arthouse was the latest fruit of the program’s labor.

Delivering an enchanting array of spoken word and storytelling performances were such talents as Patrick Washington, Leilani Clendenin, Morgan Givens and Leonardo ‘Leo’ Solano, with Program Coordinator Linda Cameron and Cathy Smith herself complementing the event with reflective and moving narratives of their own. Vocalist Melia Jeri mesmerized the crowd with a rhythmic number written by her entitled ‘You Can’t Keep Running From Yourself’.

The capacity crowd was visibly pleased throughout the entirety of the night’s performance and ranged in age from early 20s to mid 90s with Cheverly resident, civic leader and local treasure Mrs. Thelma Boyd-Nash happily in attendance.

Music was provided by House DJ ‘Sly Ty’ and the event itself wouldn’t be complete without its warm and inviting host Patrick Mullen who also serves as Joe’s theater production manager.

Support programs like ‘When Love Opens The Door’ with a charitable donation at www.joesmovement.org.