A Poetic OMN

On a beautiful Spring afternoon, The Living Room in Stroudsburg, PA once again opened its doors for their weekly Open Mic Nite Series on Sunday April 7th. The venue provided a great deal of warmth through its welcoming atmosphere and the radiant talent throughout the wintry months. But now, as the temperatures compliments the vernal gathered, a new vibrancy filled the dreams and aspirations of those who enter the Living Room eager to blossom forth with a new song, poem, or whatever.

Change is an aspect that is indicative of the season and this was reflected in The Living Room’s April 7th Open Mic Nite. This change came from the desire to better accommodate the abundant number of people who come to share their talents with the new and/or established friends they encounter each week. So, instead of everyone being ascribed a 15minute slot as was previous the custom, performers were now given 10minues each to perform. This change had the unexpected but welcomed effect of quickening the pace of the evening’s festivities allowing those who became anxious while waiting to perform able to do so without becoming too nervous.

The evening began as it customarily does with the series’ long established host, Billy Mack, welcoming the gathering. It was during this time he officially announced the new time limit and further initiatives which was being considered to assure as many people got to perform as possible. This initiative will be implemented the following week and consist of everyone placing their name in a bowl which will be utilized as a lottery system to determine the order of performances. It quickly became known as the “Fishbowl Roulette” and was greeted with some enthusiasm by the gathering.

As the welcoming and announcements concluded, Billy took hold of his guitar and was joined on stage by Eric Funn. Together, they sang several songs until Billy left the scene. This allowed Eric to entertain the audience with songs played upon the guitar. Eric was followed by Guitarist Keith (aka the Business fairy) whose quite melodies echoed the freshness of the Spring day. Keith was followed by electric guitarist Matt B. who performed a song or two he has written along with a composition he improvised.

Matt was followed by another acoustic Guitarist named Kess who sang a few original pieces along with those composed by established artists. Kess was followed by a guitarist known as Dee and she was followed by Jesse Morales whose high caliber performance shot a hole with laughter filled energies through the audience. Jesse was followed by a duet known as Toni and Nirvana who sang a number of songs including one very cool version of an Ozzy Osborne tune. You go girls.

As Toni and Nirvana’s performance concluded, Billy returned to the mic in order to introduce the featured performer of the evening. Poet Sam C. traveled from Massachusetts to share his words. Their ability to touch the chords of those who heard him empowered the gathering to see their world in a new light made bright by the poet’s truth. Several of his readings came from a book Mr. C. has published aptly titled, “These Few and Sacred Heresies” which proclaimed a new gospel aligned with the enlighten perspectives of our times and challenged those who seek to stagnate those who bathe in the new paradigms of love to prove their doctrines’ validity and relevance.

As Sam C. concluded his readings, a break was initiated in order for the gathering to catch their breath and share the thoughts the poet inspired. This was followed by a new comer to the Open Mic Nite named, “Donnie B.” who sang to a pleased audience with his guitar. He was followed by Wilbium whose electronic renderings flowed from his computerized keyboard instilling a joy to all whether one did or didn’t know the songs. Wilbium was followed by Guitarist Jack Shaffer who was then followed by a Poet named Ben whose delivery blended tears and anger with the outrage often accompanying the pain found in an abusive existence.

Ben was followed by Amy Swagg (aka Swag Amy or Amy Burowski) who was joined in song by Jack Shaffer and Billy Mack. To the delight and amusement of the audience, the song was more laughed through than sung which made the experience a great one. Jack and Billy left the stage while Amy shared some of her outstanding poetry with the gathering. She was followed by another new comer to the venue named, “Chris D.” who spoke on the environment, oil consumption, and alternative energy sources while asking the audience why they continue to accept the unacceptable. The sentiments Chris expressed were embraced by the gathering both literally and figuratively and encouraged the activism of the audience.

The conclusion of Chris’s talk was followed by a performance given by a guitarist named, “Vinnie” who also hosts an Open Mic Nite at The Milford Borough Hall in Milford, PA every Friday night beginning at 7pm. You can learn more about this event by going to their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/OpenMicInMilford?ref=stream. The evening itself concluded with a reading from Jessie Roth who has been a long time assistant to Billy Mack and occasionally took his place while he was away. The readings she shared seemed to have summarized the evening’s experience for all who partook of it. They proved to be a fitting end to a wonderful night with those leaving the venue eager, as always, to return the following week. You’ll be able to find more photographs taken during the Sunday April 7th 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 April 14th beginning at 7pm. 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 is yet to be announced. 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 April exhibition featuring the work of Amy Knopf, Marty Klotz, Gerald Kielpinski, and Joe Trovato. The exhibition will continue until April 30th. This exhibition will be followed by gallery’s first anniversary in which local artists are invited to participate in a group show which will have a theme of “The Human Form.” The exhibit’s 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.