The Solemnity of Colors at the OMN

The Living Room in Stroudsburg, PA held another installment of their weekly Open Mic Nite Series which included a special Halloween Party on Sunday November 3rd. Many of those who attended the event did so in costume in keeping with the extended holiday which made it all the more enjoyable to watch a number of them perform in their chosen garb. The visual effects of a lighting scheme provided for the performers was modified to reflect the eerie mood of the season as was macabre décor of the venue which created a welcomed sense of spookiness. It was all quite a foreboding visual experience for all ye who entered there.

The evening began with some welcoming words and poetry read by co host Jessie Roth (aka JR) whose frightening verses set the tone of the night. She was followed by Dave Pugh whose riffs on his electric guitar flowed like a restless spirit among the gathering. He was followed by Woodrow www.facebook.com/wearewoodrow whose songs performed by Theresa Ratliff on vocals and Brian Bramkamp on guitar and vocals delighted the crowd. They were followed by Guitarist Jack Shaffer whose long absence from the Open Mic Nites created a sense of yearning among those who missed his ability to enhance them with his talents were able quickly bring those memories to the present moment as they welcomed him back. He was followed by Electric guitarist and co host Andrew Oldfield who swooned the audience with his talents.

Andrew was followed by the poet Kitty whose words touched the soul of all they encountered. One poem was particularly poignant as it was one she attempted to read some time ago but couldn’t finish as its emotional memories impaired her ability to share all of its nuances with the audience at that time. However, her attempt to speak the words so deeply etched in her heart found a profound success and allowed each heart the ability to fill its wounds with its gentle utterances inspiring one person to openly share his admiration of her ability to go deep within and to emerge a stronger person through her poetic endeavor. It was after the conclusion of Kitty’s reading did the evenings featured performers prepare themselves to take the stage.

The duet of Sunsets North consists of Warren North on Vocals and Guitar and Colin Kocher on Percussions and Keyboard. Together, they performed a mixture of songs which included those written by established artists to inspire the gathering to lend their voices to the familiar tunes along with original compositions whose meaningful lyrics became part of the inward songbook of those who heard them. The composition of this songbook and it’s significance to each person who adopted its content was made evident through the thoughtful expression seen upon the faces of those who listened intently to each song as it’s emotional qualities was reflected in every expression. It was an amazing performance and you can learn more about Sunsets North from their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/SunsetsNorth.

After Sunsets North completed their set, a break ensued in order to provide an opportunity for those who were touched by their music to share their appreciation. The allotted time also allowed those attending the event to partake of a raffle whose prize was a “Living Room” T Shirt with the proceeds designated to financially support the venue. After the break, long time favorite Jesse Morales took the stage.

Jesse had been away from The Living Room for a number of weeks and his return was a welcomed sight to the many who have come to hold his performances in the happier spots in their being. However, there was a touch of sadness as Jesse announced this was his last performance for some time to come. This feeling was reflected in melancholic tone he instilled in each song which added a new dimension to the piece. After his set, Jesse shared with me he was going to join the Marines and he was tired of performing music. I was saddened by this news but wished him well on all that he will do. I hope those who read this will join me in the furthered hope that Jesse will regain a joy and passion for his talents and that he will safely survive his military experience without ever having to take the life of another human being.

Jesse was followed by another guitarist who has become a favorite among the gathering named, “Kes.” He preceded his performance with some observations he had recently made of himself and his friends relating to a shared sense of depression that had seemingly taken hold. Almost all who listened shared a recognizing nod as he spoke their silent words. He then sung a singular song accompanied by Nicholas Desouza on bass guitar. The performance further emphasized the sentiments of his introductory words and produced a healing effect among those who heard it as noticed by a number of tears who cleansed a saddened soul was shed.

Kes was followed by guitarist Michael Welten whose return to the venue was welcomed one as his voice continued to intimately touched those who listen to it. During one point in his performance, he began to share a musical birthday gift with a friend in the audience when Melissa, whose voice has never failed to entrance those who heard it, came upon the stage to sing it alongside him. Melissa and Michael harmonized their voices as they sang their rendition of the song titled, “Happy Birthday To You” which was written by two sisters named, “Patty and Mildred J. Hill” and was introduced to Patty’s kindergarten class during the mid 1800s. It was later published during 1893 in their songbook titled, “Song Stories for the Kindergarten.” The young woman who was the duet’s mutual friend was as pleased as cookies and milk with the gesture.

As Michael completed his performance, Melissa returned to the stage to perform some songs a cappella. She began by apologizing her voice may not possess its optimum qualities as she had been a bit under the weather but it was soon discovered her condition had no noticeable effect on the power she placed on each word that touched the crowd. Melissa was followed by Poet Amy Knopf who had not shared her insightful words at the venue for a very long time.

Many memories of her poetry’s depth came back to those who found a friend in her words. To me, this was especially true of her final selection which voiced the frustration many members in our society feel as they frequently encounter the abuses one face that is often perpetrated by employers who take advantage of their employee’s financial desperation by instituting an enslavement mentality in the workplace. This mentality dictates it’s acceptable to provide an employee with only enough wages to barely meet his/her financial obligations so the threat of being unable to pay his/her bills if the employee doesn’t do everything the employer demands can be issued. These demands have included working extra hours without receiving overtime pay and performing several jobs while only being paid for one.

The poem expressed the anger of being a slave and the desire to break the chains that keeps one enslaved to a system that is designed to disenfranchise human dignity. Its final words asks, “What is Money anyway?” calls into question our willingness to give up our personhood for a paycheck. And, an inadequate one at that. After all, being employed isn’t the be and end all of our financial woes and it doesn’t guarantee equitable treatment in our society. There was a time in our country’s history when a significant segment of the population experienced 100% employment with every man, woman, and child being given a job. But, their employability did not empower them because they were African slaves and were not considered persons by the businessmen who owned them.

Confession: I may have taken some liberties with its content in order to express the thoughts I’ve been having in relation to the topic through my interpretation of the poem. Therefore, my words may not faithfully represent the intent of Ms. Knopf when she wrote the piece as I sometimes like to indulge myself in diatribes relating to the business community. I hope many of you will have the opportunity to listen to Ms. Knopf’s poem with your own ears.

As the final echoes of the poetic words of Amy’s final poem ended, guitarist SunnyShading www.facebook.com/SunnyShading took to the stage in order to prepare to sing. It has been a while since he performed at The Living Room and it was good to see his return to the venue as he was accompanied by Nicholas Desouza on drums. A cheerful song emanated from the musicians as the gathering clapped their hands and tapped their toes to the happy beats. SunnyShading was followed by co host AP Box whose vocal manipulations never fails to delight the audience and bring a great deal of laughter to the evening. He was followed by Brad B. who sang a number of songs with the aide of his smart phone which supplied him with the lyrics.

The evening came to a close when Nicholas Desouza returned to perform alongside Andrew Oldfield on Drums plus AP and Melissa on vocals. The bluesy flavor of the set proved to be an appropriate one to finish out the night as it allowed those who were a part of the Open Mic Night to reflect upon all that had transpire. Although there was a great deal of anticipatory excitement with eager conversation at the thought of returning for another Open Mic Nite among a number of those who left at the evening’s event, there was also a quiet permeating many others whose thoughts on the solemn aspects of the evening were seen in their countenance.

I, personally felt a solemnness that I had a desire to be rid of until I became grateful I had the elements that made me human enough to feel such emotions. It was during that moment of gratitude and melancholy when I felt a profound kinship with my fellow denizens of The Living Room’s Open Mic Nite which I will keep in my heart for some time to come. You’ll be able to find more photographs taken during the Sunday November 3rd Open Mic Nite in The Living Room 2013 Gallery Part 5 at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152011186945421.1073741872.636000420&type=1.

The next installment of the Living Room Open Mic Nite Series will take place on Sunday November 10th beginning at 7pm with sign ins beginning at 6:30pm. Musicians, poets, writers, and anyone who would like to share something with an audience are welcomed. 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 exhibit is their “Things that go Bump in the Night” Exhibition featuring the works of area artists. The exhibition on display until November 30th. 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.