sw fest — iSWD Programming — Inside Southwest Detroit

After completing the "Art of Storytelling Through the Smartphone" workshop with Anthony Valadez, students had the opportunity to see their work come to life on the big screen.

Their shorts premiered together as a single 6m29s short film at the historic Senate Theater during Southwest Detroit’s annual SW Fest, an event that celebrates community and creativity. This screening marked a major moment for the young filmmakers, allowing them to share their personal stories with the larger community.

“This screening marked a major moment for the young filmmakers, allowing them to share their personal stories with the larger community.”

The Young Filmmakers and Their Stories

Aviana, 15, provides a glimpse into her vibrant neighborhood, where she records her cousins and brothers on mini bikes. Christina, 13, invites us into her daily routine, from getting ready for a nail appointment to sharing a family dinner. Jalissa, 14, offers a window into her experience as an aunt, describing her five nieces and nephews and their unique personalities.

Darline's emotional videos reveal the deep bond she shares with her family, from an exchange with her brother and dancing with her father to a touching moment with her mother at her quinceañera. Isabella, 13, reflects on nature, contemplating the beauty and impermanence of the natural world, and how it relates to the challenges and joys of human life.

Darline and her family watch the premiere of the students’ film shorts alongside other locally produced films at SW Fest on August 24, 2024.

Anthony and Isabella close out the film engaging in a thoughtful exchange where they discuss the difficulties of life and the importance of persevering to experience its beauty. Isabella's wisdom, which goes beyond her years, resonates deeply as she speaks through multimedia expression.

A Celebration of Narrative

The films don’t stop at SW Fest. The students' work will continue to screen in community spaces throughout Southwest Detroit during the fall and winter, alongside other locally produced films. The screenings offer the youth a platform to share their stories with family, friends, and neighbors.

The Power of Community Storytelling

This workshop series empowered students to use technology for creative expression and engage with their community. Inside Southwest Detroit’s commitment to creative expression is realized as students learn new skills, explore life’s complexities, and share their personal experiences with the wider community. These films stand as a testament to the power of storytelling to connect, inspire, and transform.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitAugust 31, 2024sw fest, film, anthony valadez, potap

Beats In Bloom: DJ Rosez Cultivates Creativity

Houston-based DJ Rosez, with Salvadoran roots, brought her passion for music and community to Inside Southwest Detroit as part of the Porch On TAP artist residency.

Through her workshops and performances, she introduced young participants to the world of DJing, showing how music can be a powerful tool for connection and self-expression.

From Psych to Sound: A Sonic Seed Takes Root

Five years ago, she transitioned from a career in psychology and diversity consulting to becoming a full-time DJ. She found that her passion for music offered a more authentic path to creative and community work. Music wasn’t just a hobby—it was her true calling.

“She found that her passion for music offered a more authentic path to creative and community work. ”

Creating Spaces for Young Learners

Back in Houston, Rosez has worked with school-aged children, blending her love of music with her commitment to helping youth connect with their creative potential. In her Detroit workshops, she focused on play and experiential learning. Her goal? To show young students that music is something they can access and create, no matter their age or experience.

“I’m here to take up space.”

— DJ Rosez

Rosez encouraged the kids to experiment with DJ equipment, urging them to play, explore, and feel the rhythm. "I’m here to take up space," she says, inspiring the children to break the mold of what a DJ can look like and who belongs behind the decks.

For Rosez, DJing is more than performance—it’s a way to express identity, build connections, and create safe spaces for all. While in Detroit, DJ Rosez also performed at SW Fest, an annual festival that celebrates local creativity and community. Her students had the chance to see her in action and how music connects and energizes people.

DJ Rosez performs her 5:55p set at SW Fest, an annual celebration of community and creativity. August 24, 2024

Music as a Tool for Empowerment

With a bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in industrial organizational psychology, DJ Rosez brings an understanding of human behavior and community building into her DJ practice. She is showing how DJing can be a powerful form of storytelling and connection—how it’s not just about beats, it’s about belonging.

In just a few days, Rosez left her students with a message that will echo long after the music fades: music is for everyone, and with the right tools, anyone can take up space.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitAugust 26, 2024dj rosez, southwest detroit, potap, dj, sw fest, play learning