A Late Summer OMN

The vestigial stirrings of a Summer day flowed into the evening as The Living Room in Stroudsburg, PA opened its doors on Sunday September 15th for another installment of their weekly Open Mic Nite Series. After such a long time of arriving late or not at all to event during the Summer months, it was a refreshing experience for me to be at the venue prior to it being open to the general public. My good fortune in being allowed to enter at that earlier time afforded me with some insights to the care given as those who facilitate the event prepare for another extraordinary night.

Co Hosts Jesse Morales and Jessie Roth (aka JR) were eagerly setting up the microphones and testing their tonal qualities with the help of Andrew Oldfield. In order to further test the sound levels of the equipment, Jesse Morales gave a practice run of some of the selections he would play later that evening. A number of other musicians who planned to perform sporadically came by to practice as well after setting up some equipment of their own which they would utilize when their turn to bless the mike arrived. Meanwhile, Jessie Roth shared with me details on how the featured performer is selected to each event and that she may not part of the entire evening as her job’s extended work schedule has left her feeling exhausted.

The minutes passed and soon it was time for those who would perform for the evening to sign in. Expectations and excitement filled the sheet of the laminated paper as names appeared one after another in rapid succession. Cups of coffee were poured and excursions to a nearby Asian Takeout Restaurant were made as conversations answering inquires what friends will be doing and invitations to those who would establish a collaborative endeavor behind the mic were shared among the eager. The excited intricacies inherent in these overheard intercourses made it a good day to be an eavesdropper.

Almost suddenly, it was time for the first signed in performer to take the stage. Vinnie Huevos and his guitar kicked some ass with a repertoire of songs similar to those that delighted the gathering in the past and would prove to do so with the sizeable crowd that were in attendance that night. He was followed by The Juggernaut String Band consisting of Peter Taney on Banjo and Vocals, his daughter Joy Taney on vocals and Trombone, Carolyn Burbage on Drums, and Vid Larrison on Base Guitar. Together, the band played a lively assortment of world music which included Cajun and Zydeco music along with some African folk songs that transformed those who echoed the ancient calls into members of a universal tribe transcending all geological and social boundaries. The arousing nature of the performances given by Vinnie Huevos and The Juggernaut String Band were tempered through the soulful voice of poetry as delivered by Amy Burawski who stood before the mic. Her words touched the heart. A break ensued after Amy left the stage so thoughts her words inspired could be absorbed and the tears they coaxed could be dried.

The break ended as the evening’s featured performers took their place before the mic. Christian Diana has performed several times during the Living Room’s Open Mic Nite in the past and has become a favorite among the gathering. His return as a featured performer along members of his band, Foxfire who consists of Christian Cordero and Jason Avery DeLima (who stood in for the band’s regular member Billy Welsh), proved to be a special treat for those who frequented the event as well as those who partook of it for the very first time that evening.

A mood was established by the musicians as a dream catcher (which originated from the Ojibwe Peoples as a charm to change a person’s dreams and protect them from nightmares) was hung to adorn the performance area along with a small fire in a shell lit to encourage the spirit world to join in the song. The musicians performed their songs on Guitars whose tonal qualities resembled that of bells ringing their resonant chords giving each member of the audience the sensation they were listening to a dream. An enchantment touched the gathering as each song moved deeply among and within the inhabitants of the living room making it truly a living room.

Christian Diana and The Foxfires is said to be a band that plays (according to their Facebook Page) “Psych-Indie-Tribal-Surf-Pop Stuff All The Kids Love.” Well, the band is all that and much more. With a variety of multiple influences easily heard in their musical performance, the group has an uncanny ability to transform the complexity of their creative heritage so the harmonic essence of the work can be absorbed into the subconscious of each listener and made simultaneously available to the conscious level so a sense of joy while hearing the piece could be experienced by simplifying their essential elements. This sense of enjoyment was evident throughout their set as the souls of each person in attendance were reflected through the eyes of each attendee.

Christian Diana and The Foxfires is from West Nyack, NY and has recorded several EPs since the group began in 2012. The first is titled, “Detached” and was recorded at Red Stripe studios. The most recent EP is titled, “Decoded” and was available for free during the performance and can be downloaded for free as well. You can learn more about Christian Diana and The Foxfires and their music by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/ChristianDianaAndTheFoxfires.

A break ensued after the performance so the nuance of the moment could be fully digested. Prior to the break, long time host A. P. to share the duties of co hosting the event with Jesse Morales in order to provide Jessie Roth with a well deserved break. It was soon after the Living Room break did the evening’s co host Jesse Morales take the stage to perform his much loved High Octane Premium Gas rendition of his original songs. Jesse was followed by Guitarist Sunshine Shading whose iconic Panda Hat was offset by a very dashing suit of clothing he wore for the night. The music he performed was the same caliber of fun and laughter as previous times at The Living Room but seemed a bit more debonair due to his attire.

Sunshine Shading was followed by a guitarist simply known as Tycho who sang some truly thoughtful songs. Tycho was followed by an electric guitarist known as Joe whose instrumentals flowed around and through the audience leaving behind an aura upon which could be sensed an enhancement in the life of those who listened. Joe was joined by the evening’s co-host A. P. who lent his talents as a Rapper to dance along with the note with his words.

Joe was followed by guitarist Kes Lyman whose performance never fails to bring a smile to those who experience it. Kes was followed by Jason Avery DeLima who performed earlier alongside members of The Foxfires but added his talents as a solo artist to the evening’s lineup. The evening concluded with a performance given by A. P. whose vocal manipulations where enhanced by a pair if gloves lit at the fingers. It was difficult to photograph the performance as the room was darkened to accommodate its full effect, but it proved to be an enjoyable one as laughter filled the heart.

As the last goodbyes ensued which included a group hug shared by those remaining in the venue, a reflection of the music and poetry that was offered filled the thoughts of those who left the venue. An anticipation instilled in a desire to return to The Living Room enables the weekly Open Mic Event to not only survive but to thrive time and time again. This staying power encourages performers to bring to it their very best and this standard also ensure an audience who appreciates great talent to return time and time again. You’ll be able to find more photographs taken during the Sunday September 15th Open Mic Nite in The Living Room 2013 Gallery Part 4 at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151751090710421.1073741841.636000420&type=1.

The next installment of the Living Room Open Mic Nite Series will take place on Sunday September 22nd 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 presents the work of visual artists from around the area. Their current exhibition is their September Exhibition titled, “Word and Text” featuring a group show showcasing the work of local artists. The work will continue to be on display until September 30th. The next exhibition take place in October and will feature several local artists whose name are yet to be announced. 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.