A Blossoming OMN

The Living Room in Stroudsburg, PA presented another installment of their weekly Open Mic Nite Series on Sunday June 24th and I arrive two hours before it ended. However, since the Open Mic Nite is a four hour event, I did arrive two hours late again but I wanted to reveal that in a different way. Smiles.

Anyways, I arrived as a singer/guitarist Crystal Rose was in the middle of her performance. She had played at the Living Room several times before and her soft vulnerable voice never fails to add a dimension to the material she selects to share with the gathering. This night was no different except the song she sang when I entered the Living Room brought an unexpected tear to my heart. Although this may be considered a sad thing, it was also a welcomed thing as it reassured me my ability to feel the profound emotions which helps to bring about an even more profound healing are within my reach as some disappointing recent experiences had recently led me to believe they were not.

Crystal Rose was followed by poet Kim who has read many of her works during past Open Mic Nites. Although her reading was brief, the enormity of the feelings she conveyed filled the air everyone deeply breathed in. She was followed by A Rhythm which featured Rotten Lucky’s Drummer Brian Marx happily adding a beat to the gathering who became happier still thanks to his energetic sticks. Brian was followed by Chris C. who played an instrumental piece on guitar which was very pleasing to the ear.

Chris C. was followed by another reading given by Steve Truglio (aka Jack Bastard) of his Third Testament Series. This installment was titled, “Jor-El” which was about meeting his father. It contained a nicely formed blend of pathos and humor which inspired a touch of reflection and a momentary laughter from those who heard it.  More of the work can be read in the notes section of the author’s facebook profile. Steve was followed by “Bonez” which consisted of Bassist Coty Jony and Drummer Brian Marx of Rotten Lucky who performed a few riffs Coty is in the process of working on giving the audience a glimpse into the creative endeavors of the band.

As Bonez completed their set, comedian Chris Jones took the mic to introduce himself to the gathering and to share his talents. He was followed by Scott Morgan and Todd Kelly who performed a number of hard core pieces and were joined by a singer (sorry about not getting his name) and  Steve Truglio who performed on drums. The performance accumulated into its climax as several other musicians such as Brian Marx of Rotten Lucky joined in to sing Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man.”

This set was followed by a performance by Brian Marx  and Burt Kleinle of Rotten Lucky who sang a number of tunes which were a bit more gentler than the ones the band are associated with. Although their prior performances as a band remains to be much appreciated and admired, this revelation of the diversity of their talents increased the band’s reputation of one hell of a band. The evening concluded with a reading given by Matt Ando who has frequented The Living Room Open Mic Nites many times before by sharing his original works with the gathering. However, this evening he read selections from an already published work by a different author. Yet, his reading made the author’s words his own as one can hear his experiences reflected in the selection he chose to share.

Thus came the conclusion of the final Open Mic Nite Series at The Living Room for the month of June. The month began with a variety of talented seeds of artistic styles and approaches planted in the hearts and minds of those who attended the gatherings later blossoming into a bouquet whose colors and fragrance will continue to excite the senses for some time to come. The next Open Mic nite will occur July 1st and I am eager to attend so I can partake of its aroma. You’ll be able to find more photograph taken during the Open Mic Nite in The Living Room 2012 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150907955845421.475868.636000420&type=1.

The Living Room’s weekly Open Mic Nites occurs every Sunday Evening beginning at 6pm. Musicians, Poets, Writers, and anyone who would like to share their talents with an eagerly accepting audience are welcomed to participate. In addition to the Open Mic Nites, The Living Room Gallery is currently presenting an exhibition featuring the works of Andrea Robbins-Rimberg, John Kolbek, Joyce Rambach, and Michael Parsons which continues until June 30th. Their following exhibition is titled, “One Man’s Trash in Another Man’s Treasure” which invites artists from the area and beyond to submit their work. The exhibition begins with an Artists’ Reception on Saturday July 7th and will feature a “Trashion Show.” The Submission deadline is Friday July 6th. The Living Room also presents a concert series featuring local musicians. The next of these concerts features the band known as “The Stolen” and is scheduled to perform on Saturday June 30th beginning at 6pm.

The Living Room is located on Main Street in Stroudsburg, PA next to The Sherman Theater who owns the building and the space in which it presents music and art. The Living Room is organized by members of the community who include Shane Izykowski, Billy Mack, Tom LeFevre, Darlene Farris-Labar, Brandon Jones, and Elisa Byrne. Please Explore The Living Room Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/The-Living-Room/123978921059378 for more information on The Living Room, all they have to offer, and how to be a part of it all.