I didn't realize until this past Saturday how many ways you can help someone achieve their dream.

Sometimes all you have to do is show up and experience their gifts and talents with your own eyes and ears. At "I Have A Dream Fest" 2012, the Sky Grille was packed with homegrown talent playing for one hell of a crazy, culturally diverse crowd.

The goal in mind wasn't just to put on a cool show for Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, but to support and unify a wide variety of lyricists, poets, vocalists, beatboxers, DJs and dreamers. As one artist put it, "People always say Memphis don't fuck with Memphis. We're here tonight to change that."

The event was bookended with edgy, yet traditional Bluff City-style rappers in loud, brash freestyle cypher's; but the more than 15 performances in between were what made the night memorable.

Poet Steven Fox set the tone with his powerful spoken word as he drummed up images of Memphis' problematic past and our incredible potential for greatness. Halfway through his poem, his passion for the city took over and he didn't need his microphone anymore. He had everyone's undivided attention.

Then Elle Unique, known for her stint on BET's 106 & Park, apologized in advance for "gettin' deep" with songs about the dark side of her success, losing her mother and more. Judging from the enthusiasm of the crowd though, no apologies were necessary.

JTMusic, Logan Bradshaw and Sunny Marx mixed it up with a dash of blue-eyed soul singing (that made all the ladies perk up in their seats) and a little '90s inspired party rap. Hardface brought comedy in verse after Jason Da Hater and Knowledge Nick brought their sharp lyrics and crowd-pleasing presence to the table.

But my favorite part was a sweet and soulful a capella version of "Killing Me Softly" by TamE, Tonya Dyson, Arnishia King, Nilaja and Artistik Approach that made everyone—black and white, young and old, dreads and 'fros—sing along.

For one night, the Memphis music scene and music lovers with all kinds of tastes could honestly say they were united. Here's to "I Have A Dream" Fest becoming a new local tradition.