A Sign (of Dollars) Seen at TLR

I arrived at The Living Room (TLR) on Sunday December 16th shortly after 6pm to partake of their weekly Open Mic Nite Series. Although the official time for those who wished to participate to sign in was 6:30pm with the event scheduled to begin at 7pm, I found the venue filled with friends who waited for their comrades to share their talents upon the open mic. At first, I thought I’ve arrived late but soon was reassured those I have seen seated upon chairs and the floor arrived early.

It was good to realize the Sunday evening open mic nites had encouraged so many people to come out to enjoy the magical adventures of the event. Every week one can expect a variety of entertainment throughout the night. Music and Poetry along with the occasional presentation of comedy and performance art never fails to enhance the event by provoking thoughts designed to evolve one’s soul or to simply bring a smile to one’s face. The Living Room’s encouraging atmosphere brings out the best in each performer and poet who know they are among friends who appreciate them.

Since there were a large number of participants who filled the sign in sheet soon after the 6 o’clock hour, the night’s host Billy Mack began his performance of The Billy Mack Collector early so those who signed up would have more time to perform. The music which ensued brought familiar smiles to the faces of the huge gathering as each song exposed it’s essence of simplistic joy. Billy was joined by Eric Funn whose musical skills enhanced the performance bringing the audience’s appreciation of it to a new level.

After The Billy Mack Collector set was completed, Billy welcomed the gathering and announced he won’t be setting out the sign in sheet until 6:30pm so those who arrive at that time will have an equal opportunity to participate in the event. This was much appreciated by those who arrived at the appointed time. Billy also announced who the evening’s musical guest would be. They were the duo known as, “Dollar Signs” who came from Burlington, North Carolina to be a part of the event. Once the announcements concluded, it was time to introduced the first of many performers who would appear that night.

Guitarist Keith 'Kif' Haynes was the first to bless the mic. Some of the evening’s attendees have seen Keith perform in various local venues admiring his lightning fast strumming of both his musical and vocal instruments. However, a different musical approach was experienced as Keith unaccustomedly sat down and began to play. What replaced the super sonic speed of his repertoire was an opportunity for each member of the audience to experience the depth of each song more fully in a slow and deliberate manner.

Personally, I’m not sure if speculating this was a more mature approach to music on Keith’s part would be appropriate, but I did sense a change in him from the previous times I experienced his performances. I’m not sure if those who have heard Keith before sensed the same thing, but I can be sure many were changed by his performance. Keith was followed by electric guitarist Matt B.

Matt has appeared often before the crowds gathered at The Living Room and has deservedly become a favorite among many among their number. His riffs and melodies fill the room and imagination of all who encounter his fingering talents and sense of humor which was demonstrated by sitting on a fat man’s lap who wasn’t wearing red during his performance. This brought a smile to many faces.

Matt B. was followed by Emmit Henry Derrick took the stage with his harmonica whose New Orleans musical stylings of his own compositions filled the room. Emmit was followed by Guitarist Jordan Scalia who powerfully played some original songs to the audiences delight while his brother Justin followed his performance playing songs on his guitar which were composed by established song writers. This encouraged many in the audience who recognized the pieces to happily sing along.

As Justin concluded his performance, it was time for the evening’s musical guest to appear on stage. Dollar Signs burst upon the audience as their overpowering style and techniques incited a WTF response from the gathering. With Erik Button on Vocals and Guitar along with Luke Gunn on Vocals and Ukulele, the (sorry about the batman reference) Dynamic Duo blurted out one humorously crafted social truth after another as demonstrated in such sing along songs like “Throwing Up Blood on Rainbows.” The performance incited the crowd to laughter as each member recognized their lives in the lyrics.

The musical styles of Dollar Signs has been described as Folk, Punk, Anti-folk, and filled with cynicism. According to their Facebook Page they claim to be inspired by “Alcoholic prose writers from 1890-1945” and are “Too fast for folk shows. Too quiet for punk shows. Too serious for comedy gigs. Too funny for art gallery openings.” However, while all this may be true, their performance at the Living Room proved to many Dollar Signs are too good to pass up whenever one would have an opportunity to experience their performance. You can learn more about Dollar Signs by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/dollarsignsmusic.

Once Dollar Signs concluded their set, a newly formed band titled, “Glynnis of the Road” took the stage to bless the mic. Their musical style served as a diametrical contrast to that presented by the previous band. The mind drifting poetic nature of the performance filled with reverberating recitations filled the senses in a way dropping acid without it being encased in a sugar cube would. Their sugar free LSD musical journeys opened the esoteric dimensions of existence of worlds beyond imaginings to the extend to which Timothy Leary would jealous of.

Glynnis of the Road consists of Glynnis (who is a Pisces) on Vocals and persuasive percussion, Jim Windzigl (who is a Gemini) on “Balls-out-Bass,” and Dylan Anderko (who is a Virgo) on his Super Synthesizer. As mentioned earlier, the band form very recently (Monday November 5th 2012 to be exact) soon after a poetic reading Glynnis gave during the Sunday November 4th Open Mic Nite at The Living Room. Since that time, the band has been “Creating Ambient Awesomeness since Earlier last week…” You can learn more about Glynnis of the Road by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/glynnisoftheroad.

Although the lingering effects of Glynnis of the Road remained with many who heard them, the conclusion of their set was followed by Slam Poet C. P. Maze who also previously appeared during Dollar Signs’ performance offering an interlude to one of their songs. The power and strength behind his spoken word performance shared a truth found deep within the soul. His words cried out in their pain and recollections until even the few who did not or could not relate soon found them to be their own as they realized themselves to be a part of the universal unification of humanity which feels all things together as one being.

C. P. Maze was followed by guitarist who named himself after the RFK assassin Sirhan Sirhan whose voice and lyric move the audience to the musical rhythms of his instrument. Sirhan Sirhan was followed by poet Joel Craig whose single poem touched upon the multitude of poems that made love their home and invited those who heard it to come live within its dwellings. Joel was followed by a fellow poet simply known as Amy whose words delved even more deeply into the heart and soul of love’s nature. Amy was followed by guitarist David Pugh who those attending previous open mic nites are accustomed to seeing him perform on electric guitar. However, on this occasion David presented his songs upon an acoustic instrument which added to their depth and color.

David’s performance was followed by a poetry reading given by, well, me. I read a poem titled, “This Year” and those who heard is was gracious in their response to it. After I sat back down, a performance art piece featuring Anthony Derobirdshit as Crying Wolf and Anna Jane as Mystery person took the stage. The piecing together of logic and non logic would have driven a Trekkie Vulcan mad but the madness it inspired among the denizens of The Living Room was so welcome that no prescriptions were required or even sought for.

Their performance was followed by electronic musician Wilbium whose computerized compositions brought the evening’s festivities to a close. Dancing was seen throughout the mesmerizing set as the notes and chords produced images in the mind’s eye. Many of these images defy descriptions but there were some which envisioned the mysteries and satisfactions that one may discover by attending future Open Mic Nites at the Living Room. You’ll be able to find more photographs taken during the Sunday December 23rd Open Mic Nite in The Living Room 2012 Gallery Part 2 at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151242474950421.513481.636000420&type=1.

The Living Room Open Mic Nite series will continue on Sunday December 23rd beginning at 7pm (sign up begins at 6:30pm). Musicians, poets, writers, and anyone who would like to share something with an audience are welcomed to do so. You can learn more about The Living Room Open Mic Nite Series by Exploring their facebook Page at www.facebook.com/OpenMicAtTheLivingRoom.

In addition to the Open Mic Nites presented at The Living Room, the venue also holds a Gallery which is currently presenting an exhibition featuring the work of Martelle, Kayla O'Connor, Abigail Braman, and Kyle Kuczma. The exhibition continues until December 30th. Their next exhibition will be a group show titled, “For the Love of the Art” featuring the work of area artists who are currently being invited to share their talents in any media or subject they choose. The Artists’ Reception for the exhibit will take place Saturday January 5th with the exhibition itself continuing until January 30th. The drop off date is Friday January 4th.

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.