The "Blaze the Stage" Open Mic @ The Blaze Hookah Lounge

D-Train co host of Blaze the Stage

Thursday night, January 24, 2013 at around 6:00 p.m.:

The night was as cold as hell frozen over, but the atmosphere in the Blaze Hookah Lounge was BYOB (Bring Your own Beer), sit down and relax; no drama,  warm up and Smoke a Hookah.  With over thirty varieties of tobacco on hand, I was most definately down for that.

BlockStar Entertainment was in the building.

Of course, I was just a little too early.  The speakers on stage were just being set  up.  But, that didn't matter.  I came to observe and not partake.  Time passed.  The house band for the evening, "Nights Over Egypt",  began to tune up there instruments while people slowly began to trickle in.

While people were finding there seats, I surveyed the room.  The crowd was young, and relaxed.  Grown, sexy, but not dressed to impress or unimpress for that matter.  It was a come as you are and enjoy yourself type of atmosphere.  It was a Thursday night, people were getting off of work and people still had to work in the morning.

Demetri Alexander MC in the place to be with house band Nights over Egypt

At 7:45 p.m., open mic co-host Dwayne D-Train Wilson  got the crowd warmed up with his rendition of Usher Raymond's "Nice & Slow" before introducing the main host, the poet Demetri Alexander.  (D-Train, while being a gracious host, was also a damn good singer.)  I decided to settle in for a long good night. 

By 8:04 p.m., The open mic was in full swing with North Chicago's M-City starting off the show.  Real Talk.  Thursday night I heard some of the hottest local talent around.  It was all around, local hip hop, local R&B,  and hardcore rap like I had never heard before.  Which surprised me, because I thought I was on my mark with the who's who in the local music scene. But, oh well.  I was very impressed by the quantity of talent in the building as well as the quality.  The sounds went from being poetic and soulful to rugged and raw.  And a great handful of the acts came out of the city of North Chicago, Illinois as well as from Waukegan and Chicago.



2010 Chicago Idol MAURICE MAHON

The highlight of the evening was 2010 Chicago's Idol winner (and back up singer for R. Kelly), Maurice Mahon.  Currently working on his own solo project, I can't wait to see what the year 2013 has in store for Mr. Mahon. 
This brother can sing.  Trust me. 

L Boogie Lighting up the Blaze with some of his footwork.

Not only did we have the talent of singers, rappers and musicians on hand, but we also had the comedy of Richard "Illy- Philly" Bannister to further lighten the room up as well as the dance moves of the one and only L-Boogie (who proved single-handily that he could pop, lock and drop it to any music whatsoever).

The last act I heard before the end of the night was Blockstar Entertainement.  These men were hardcore, and frankly I loved it.  I loved everything I experienced that night.  The Blaze Hookah Lounge was literally busting at the seams with talent and fresh innovation.  Real talk, I don't know where you will be next time but I will definitely be in the building for another night at the Blaze Hookah Lounge, 119 North Genessee Street, in Waukegan, Illinois.  This open mic is off the chain.  The next show is January 29.  Hopefully, it won't be as cold and snowy.


The Blaze Hookah Lounge was exactly what I needed to get my mind off the usual hum drum of my existence. I plan to support this local movement to the fullest and I hope others will follow suit.   I was there from 6-10 p.m. and there was no fighting, no drama, no negativity.  Just a great time had by all.  And I did have a GREAT time, and I shall return to the Blaze Hookah Lounge.