On a Warm Winter’s Night

The Living Room in Stroudsburg, PA held another installment of their weekly Open Mic Nite Series on Sunday  December 22nd. It’s been a while since I’ve been to the venue due to some wintry weather conditions which were not conducive for traveling. But, as the second day of winter came with unseasonably high temperatures, I was able to return to The Living Room to partake of the music, poetry, and camaraderie I have enjoyed since the very first one I had been to over a year ago. I soon witnessed the room filling to capacity with many of its denizens eagerly lining up in order to add their name to the sign in list so they could share their talents during the evening.

The evening began with some welcoming words given by the series’ co host Andrew Oldfield who then introduced his co host AP (aka Andrew Paul) whose vocal manipulations of sounds and music delighted the gathering. AP was followed by the first name appearing on the sign in list which was duo know as Woodrow www.facebook.com/wearewoodrow consisting of Theresa Ratliff on vocals and Brian Bramkamp on Guitar and Vocals. During their performance, it was announced the duo will be the opening act for the Rick Springfield Concert scheduled to take place at The Sherman Theater located in Stroudsburg, PA on Friday March 28th.

In preparation for the event, the duo played a number of songs for the gathering which were written during the 1980s when Mr. Springfield experienced a high degree of popularity in his musical career which coupled with his appearances on the soap opera “General Hospital.” One of the songs they performed was titled, “Gypsy” written by Stevie Nicks and appears on the Fleetwood Mac Album, “Mirage” which was released in 1982. The song relates to Ms. Nicks’ recollections of the time before she and Lindsay Buckingham (Fleetwood Mac’s Guitarist) became members of the band and how, during the time of the song’s writing, she imaginatively went back to the velvet underground clothing store located in San Francisco, CA of which Grace Slick and Janis Joplin shopped and became “the Gypsy that I was.” This, and other songs from the era, flowed from the duo who added their own currents to the rivers formed by their lyrics and melodies.

Woodrow was followed by a electric guitarist known as “Pinky” (aka Justin Scalia) whose riffs filled the room with their musicality while he sung along inspiring many to lend their voices to the songs as well. Pinky was followed by Kes who began performing on Ukulele and later changed his instrument to Guitar as he delighted the audience with his songs and energetic style. Kes was followed by the evening’s co host Andrew Oldfield who played a number of songs on his electric guitar while sharing the lyrics of some with the gathering through his voice while being accompanied on acoustic guitar by a member of the gathering whose name I failed to retrieve for this article. Andrew was followed by a performance given by The Da Da Dum Theater.

The piece presented by The Da Da Dum Theater was purported to be Christmas Play titled, “Frogs.” It featured Kes (who performed earlier in the evening) and his friend Ellis with both delivering a high energy performance which exceeded the expectations of its author, Paul Adam Smeltz (yeah, that’s me), much to his personal delight. The Open Mic Nite’s co host Andrew Oldfield also participated in the production as he played a “Da Da Dum” rhythm on the drums after the skit’s punch line was delivered. Thus the name “Da Da Dum Theater” was derived. The work was well received by those present for the production. A break ensued after the conclusion of the performance in order for the featured band for the evening to set up their instruments.

The band known as “Rigbi” officially adopted its name in 2011 but many of its members had been sharing their love for music with audiences since 1998. From the very first notes which emanated from their instruments, the live performance entranced the Living Room’s audience as the band presented songs that echoed throughout the venue with a clarity one often finds created in a recording studio. Their transformative melodies and lyrics penetrated the consciousness similar to the manner in which the bands “The Police” and “U2” did in their earlier days. Yet, the sounds emanating from Rigbi transcends those of these bands with a sentient lexicon of their own as they communicate on the level of the soul.

Rigbi consists of Jon Irizarry on guitar and vocals, Pat Maloney on keyboard and percussion, Randy Sabo on bass, and Brian Cornish on drums and are from Sparta, NJ. During their performance, those who were uncannily un transfixed by the music enough to dance, did so adding to the musical presence of the band. Rigbi concluded their set with some selections from their new CD titled, “Visionary” which lingered in the mind long after the final notes quieted themselves so they could be more completely absorbed into the essence of all who experienced them. You can learn more about Rigbi and their music by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/rigbimusic.

Another break ensued after Rigbi’s performance so their equipment could be removed from the stage. During this time, many among the gathering partook of the opportunity to meet with the band’s members to share a conversation with them while a few others took the time to reluctantly return to the ordinary plain of awareness from that which they traversed to during their musical journeys with the band. In any case, the time of the break had passed and the next performer was about to share her talents upon the stage.

The familiar sight of guitarist Dee (aka Songbird) bought a smile of recollection to those who had heard her during previous Open Mic Nites. Her voice complimented each song while giving it a depth in which those who listen to it can immerse oneself. Dee was followed by a new comer to The Living Room known as “Say” whose touch of his guitar served as a punctuator to the poetic words he shared. This led to many eyes laden with the perceptive concepts he conveyed until they were lightened by the realizations they revealed. Say was followed by another newcomer known simply as “Christina” who revealed her poetic soul through the words of Peruvian born Rapper Felipe Andres Coronel (aka Immortal Technique). The song she selected to share is titled, “You Never Know” whose power was amplified by her spoke word rendition of it and led a tear to flow in its thoughtful journey from the heart to the eye.

Christina was followed by a guitarist known as Fozzy whose return to The Living Room proved to be an enchantment as his folksy rhythms joyously filled the room. During his set, Fozzy was joined by a new comer known as Brian who played guitar with him. As Fozzy completed his performance, Brian took the stage to share his musical talents while being accompanied on drums by Brian Cornish who performed earlier with Rigbi. The solid performance of the songs were enhanced as he closed each with their lyrics trailing off into a whisper until their final utterances were echoed within each listener. Brian was followed by Benjamin Ordonez whose heart wrenching rendition of the poetry he shared struck a chord with every listener he touched with his voice as he closed out the final set of performers who were listed to share their talents.

However, the spirit of the season came upon the hosts of The Open Mic Nite and, as their hearts grew (as noted by AP) three sizes larger, those who had placed their names upon the waiting list were afford the opportunity to share their gifts. They were Electric Guitarist Dave Pugh whose familiar chord changes and songs resonated throughout the room, Brad whose a cappella performance provided a new dimension to the piece he presented, and Theomar Chakey Francois who closed the event with his joyous high energy performance which included a song he wrote for the season. These performers, along with those who shared their talents throughout the evening, gave special meaning to the final remarks given by AP which were, “Everything is more pleasurable when it grows three sizes.” You’ll be able to find more photographs taken during the Sunday December 22nd 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 December 29th beginning at 7pm with sign ins beginning at 6:30pm. The featured performer is scheduled to be Billy Mack www.billymackcollector.bandcamp.com who was the original host of the series before he left the area to live in the Northwestern region of the United States. 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 presents the work of visual artists from around the area. Their current exhibit is their December show featuring the works of Jennifer Amazon, Emilio Arostegui, Nova Chan, and Jody Singer and will be on display until December 30th. The next exhibit will an open group show inviting all local artists to place their work in the gallery. Those who wish to do so may drop off their work at the venue on Friday January 3rd from 6-9pm. The Artists’ Reception is scheduled for Saturday January 4th beginning at 6pm with the exhibit continuing to be on display until January 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.