A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the OMN

The weekly Open Mic Nite Series held at The Living Room in Stroudsburg, PA has gained a well deserved reputation of welcoming a variety of entertaining performers to share their talents with an encouraging audience. The Sunday March 17th installment of the series proved to be consistent with this reputation as individual, pair, and/or groups of performers came upon the stage to bless the mic with their song, poetry, or comedic utterances. This, combined with the equally consistent camaraderie among its denizens whose love for the arts is only surpassed by the love they hold for one another, enables the venue to become a home for each person who enters it.

Another consistency emerges among those who frequent the venue and that is each weekly event has a slightly different tone to it. Some evenings evolve around the sensations deeply hidden in each being which can be extracted from the soul by the means of poetic expression while others focus upon the wordless communication found in the voice of a musical instrument. Each tonal quality of the individual Open Mic Nites leaves attendees amused, bemused, and diffused as the ordinary perceptions of the world become reshaped by the communal experiences uniquely found in The Living Room.

The underlining tone for Sunday March 17th seemed to be a humorous one as Billy Mack, the series’ long established host, welcomed the gathering while sharing several of the jokes he has become well known for. This lol precedence reared it’s smiling head throughout the night as comedy proved to be the focus of many who sought to bring their humor to the gathering. During his introductory set, Billy was joined by Vid Larrison, Aiden Pentheus (aka Joel Craig III), Amy Swagg (aka Swag Amy or Amy Burowski), and Jesse Morales who enhanced the entertaining opening as they laughed their way from one song to another.

At the conclusion of their set, guitarist Jack Shaffer, who was the first of the performers who were signed up for the evening’s festivities, took to the stage. He gave a solid performance as his interpretations of familiar songs brought new life to them. He was followed by Jesse Morales whose energetic talent engulfed the gathering as he performed a light hearted set whose finale was sealed with a kiss. He was followed by the comedy team known as “David and Kes” whose infectious humor spread among the crowd before an inoculation of WTF could be injected to their bloodstream. They were followed by a guitarist named, “Dan” who came from Philadelphia to be a part of the event and whose instrumentals wooed the gathering as each note struck a chord upon the strings which held them together. Dan was followed by another guitarist who traveled a distance to be a part of the Living Room.

He was known as “Not For Coltrane” and his powerfully performed songs penetrated the room. It was discovered Not For Coltrane hosted an Open Mic Nite on Friday evenings at The Hava Java Café in Allentown, PA. This news encouraged many who were intrigued by his performance to travel to the town to explore their talent in this, for some, unexplored venue. More information about Not For Coltrane and the Open Mic Nites he hosts can be found at www.facebook.com/NotForColtrane?ref=ts&fref=ts. Not For Coltrane was followed by the evening’s featured performer who is known as Wilbium.

Wilbium is a musical artists well know to the denizens of the Living Room. He has signed in on many occasions to perform during the Open Mic Nite’s customary 15 minute sets allotted to all who come to share their talent and Wilbium has been featured in other Open Mic Nites and other events held at the venue. His electronic voice aided by a computerized I have no idea what it’s called breathes a new essence into the songs he interprets. This essence flows into the forms of those who inhale it and it’s effects can be seen in their manifested desire to celebrate its rapture in dance. Wild laughter moved among the bodies who swayed with and into one another in delightful abandonment. As for me, the experience brought a question to shyness infused in my mind. Can anyone see me dancing?

Wilbium was followed by a return of Kes, who earlier performed comedy with David, was accompanied by his guitar and, together, they shared songs which delighted the crowd. Kess was followed by Aiden Pentheus (aka Joel Craig III) whose poetry contrasted the laughter prevalent throughout the evenings with sentiments which opened and purified the heart. Aiden was followed by Dee and Lex whose combination of song and the poetic style known as “Spoken Word” lured each individual into each piece to create an understanding of each message it contained. After a time, Lex left the stage as Dee continued to perform as a soloist. She was followed by Amy Swagg (aka Swag Amy or Amy Burowski) whose poetic manifestations of the soul’s existence never fails to enhance it through the ears of those who embrace her words.

As Amy left the stage, the reflective power of words continued as a poet known as “Ben” placed his words into the minds of those eager to partake of their every nuance. Ben was followed by Al Shivers who explored his comedic talents in an improvisational experiment with the gathering. Hardly any test tubes where harmed during the course of his set. Al’s performance was followed by that presented by electric guitarist Dave Pugh who has been absent from The Living Room for several week and whose return was appreciated as it proved to bring a fitting end to another Open Mic Night.

The remnants of the laughter along with the enriching elements of song and poetry moved in partnership among those walking through the Living Room’s doors as they entered the streets of Stroudsburg, PA. It was a partnership that sought to be renewed in eager anticipation which could only be precipitated by the passage of a week cumulating in a return to the venue. You’ll be able to find more photographs taken during the Sunday March 17th Open Mic Nite  in The Living Room 2013 Gallery Part 2 at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151501176525421.545088.636000420&type=1.

The next installment of the Living Room Open Mic Nite series will take place on Sunday March 24th 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. The featured performer for the evening will be Lauren Zuniga. 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 their exhibition titled, “Pop Culture” featuring the work of local artists from throughout the area. The exhibition continues until March 30th. The Artists’ Reception for the April exhibition will take place Saturday April 6th from 6pm until 10pm. It will feature four specially selected artists who are yet to be announced. The exhibition will continue until April 30th.

The next group show in which local artists are invited to participate in will have a theme with is “The Human Form” may entail any interpretation of the phrase the artist deems relevant. The Artists’ Reception will take place Saturday May 4th from 6pm until 10pm and will feature Nude Body Painting, music by The Current (formerly Dream of Fire), a Fashion Show, and a Drag Show. The exhibition will be on display at The Living Room Gallery until May 30th. The date designated for artists to drop off their work is Friday May3rd. The Living Room is located on Main Street in Stroudsburg, PA next to The Sherman Theater who owns the building. 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.