The Merchants and Wilbium at TLR

The Living Room (TLR) in Stroudsburg, PA presented another installment of their weekly Open Mic Nite Series on Sunday September 16th with special musical guests Modern Merchant and Wilbium performing alongside those who came to share their words and songs with the gathering. The gathering for the evening grew slowly but eventually a great number of people filled the venue as did the songs and poetry many brought with them. I’ve been unable to enjoy the welcoming atmosphere for quite some time and it was good to be back.

The evening began with greetings and salutations from the event’s host, Billy Mack, which included some original songs sung by him as he happily played his Ukulele inspiring some smiles and pondering thoughts to those who heard him. Billy was followed by Poet Chris Gamble who presented some short pieces which inspired deeper and prolonged contemplation with their brevity. Chris was followed by a guitarist known as Anthony who performed several instrumental pieces which encouraged the soul to learn the language of music. Anthony was followed by a poet known as Amy whose words read from a simple notebook were filled with the complexity found in the human experience. She was followed by a Guitarist named Richard whose renditions of some familiar songs brought a new meaning and appreciation for the reflections of life they contained.

After the first set of readings and musical performances came to an end, the band Modern Merchant prepared to perform. The band is from the New England area of the United States and consists of Sydney Weiss, Mike Skaggs, John Parson, and Jesse Stanford. There are several bands who perform music that penetrates the mental boundaries we build so we can function in what many consider a permissible manner in society by getting into your head. However, the music Modern Merchant performs not only gets into one’s head, but it moves the furniture around a bit.

From the ghostly movements of the percussionist as she summons out her drums’ rhythmic spirits with each touch to the haunting lyrics which linger like a lost soul who is able to lead others to themselves, Modern Merchant moves its otherworldly commodity into marketplace of our mystic consciousness. If one endeavors just to hear the songs, they forego the experience one can only encounter by allowing the song to listen to them. This means each piece the band played seemed to have the uncanny ability to reach into each individual in its audience, as his/her essence to share its secrets, and to echo them back so one can comprehend oneself more clearly. You can learn more about Modern Merchant, experience their work, and gain information to where they’ll be performing in the future by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/modernmerchant?ref=ts.

After Modern Merchants completed their performance, the second half of the Open Readings and Musical presentations began. The first to take the stage was a pretty good poet who was kind of nervous. Well, it was me. I was followed by Kevin Tailz who read from his work which was quite interesting. Kevin was followed by the band known at Nicholas whose music filled the room with a great deal of energy. They were followed by Al Shivers who read some poetry and presented a performance piece which inspired many to contemplate its deeper meanings. Ooooo. Al was followed by a guitarist known as Sunland Eric Funn whose strange and humorous lyrics cut through a great many of the pretensions we come to accumulate throughout our lives and brings laughter to the predicaments this accumulative endeavor has brought us.

As the final notes from Mr. Funn’s performance left his guitar and voice, Wilbium prepared to share his talents with the gathering. Wilbium Mohlenhoff lives in Long Pond, PA which means he is from the local area. He was accompanied by his keyboard, a screen and projector, and other digital instruments enabling him to allow the contours of his imagination to formulate visually and musically within the mind of all who experienced his conjuring.

Dressed as a pilot with goggles and protective wear, Wilbium took off with sounds and images propelling him toward every destination he dared to embark upon. The journey had its risks. One can become lost and forever confused as senses become overwhelmed and distorted in a Maelstrom of exposures of everything one should guard against. But, of course, we went along. And, we even danced as we became addicted to love. So there. You can learn more about Wilbium and his multimedia adventure by exploring his Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/william.mohlenhoff.

Needless to say, Wilbium’s performance brought the September 16th installment to a very intriguing conclusion. It also signal the end of the Open Mic Nites to be held during the Summer 2012 Calendared Season. However, the series will continue into the Fall as the next event will take place Sunday September 23rd beginning at 7pm (sign up begins at 6:30pm) with featured musical guest Christopher Bell and 1985. As always musicians, poets, writers, and anyone who would like to share something with an audience are welcomed to do so. You’ll be able to find more photographs taken during the Sunday September 16th Open Mic Nite in The Living Room 2012 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150907955845421.475868.636000420&type=1.

In addition to the Open Mic Nites, The Living Room Gallery is currently presenting an exhibition featuring the works of local artists living in Monroe County, PA and surrounding areas titled, “Identity” which continues until September 30th. The Living Room opened in April of 2012 and is located on Main Street in Stroudsburg, PA next to The Sherman Theater who owns the building. The Living Room is organized by members if the community who include Shane Izykowski, Martelle Jones, Elisa Byrne, Tom LeFevre, Darlene Farris Labar, Sarah Bouma, Toby Sabatine, and Billy Mack. 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.