An OMN, Alli, and I

On a day that seemed like a return of the Winter Season, The Sherman Theater's Living Room in Stroudsburg, PA held another installment of their weekly Open Mic Nite Series on Sunday April 10^th. Still, the warmth of the gathering permeated the room and hearts of all who were present even more than the layered coats that embraced their forms. This was combined with the excited anticipation of the evening's featured performer whose crescendo grew until the ceremonial signing in procedure took place and concluded.

The evening began as the event's co-host, Theresa Ratliff, took the stage to welcome large gathering who was present and shared some announcements. Among the sharings, Ms. Ratliff revealed the feature performer had a Tee Shirt available upon which Ms. Dayanara Howard magnified the audience's desire to possess the apparel by modeling it. It was at this point was the first performer for the evening was introduced.

Brad has become a crowd favorite throughout the years and that evening demonstrated why this was so as his dance movements enhanced the music that accompanied him. He was followed by new comer to the series, Guitarist Patrick Turner, who belted out several songs while gently crooning others with all of them having a soulful penetrating effect on the listener. He was followed by Frensesi Gates who was accompanied by a guitarist known as Elliot and a violinist named, “Christina Piserchio” who together filled the room with a landslide of muse. They were followed by a young woman known as Complex Colors whose voice and ukulele transformed the hues of each song she gently painted for the gathering. She was followed by Ann Mathews who led the gathering upon a communal journey toward a musical togetherness. It was at the conclusion of Ms. Mathew's Dylanesque performance that a break ensued so the featured performer could prepare for his set.

A great deal of excitement met co host, Satilia Rose (aka Tilly), as she introduced Allie and I who consists of a guitar named, “Allie” and Andrew Standley. Together, they jumped right into their repertoire of joyous music and light hearted anecdotes of their adventures on the road. The joy Mr. Standley shared filled the soul with it's welcomed properties along with a number of songs that allowed a deeply profound refection to be shared by the audience through their thoughtful phrasings. All in Allie it was a great time filled with smiles encompassing all aspects of the human soul.

Alli and I (Andrew Standley) are from Lincoln, NE and has traveled a great deal together through a number of tours. They have released three albums since 2007 with the most recent one titled, “Imaginary Hearts” which are a collection of twelve hand written stories told by Andrew and his guitar. You can learn more about Alli and I from their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/alliandi/timeline or their Website at www.alliandi.com.

After the performance, the customary raffle took place in which Mr. Standley and the event's co-host, Theresa Ratliff, selected the winning ticket which entitled the winner to attend The Living Room's upcoming Open Mic All Stars Show on Friday May 20^th beginning at 7pm. A small break ensued as the stage was cleared before the next performers would take the stage.

The second part of the evening began with a duet consisting of Dave on electric guitar and Bri on vocals who moved the room with their harmonies that flowed like rivers into the estuaries of our beings. They were followed by Woodrow www.facebook.com/wearewoodrow/?fref=ts&ref=br_tf with Theresa Ratcliff on Vocals and Brian Bramkamp on Guitar who played some original compositions that were already written in our dreams. They were followed by Guitarist Burt Kleinle whose sang with a translative voice defining the pain embodied in each lyric while creating a universal understanding of it all. He was followed by a performance of a theatrical piece titled, “Language” as given by The Forwardian Players featuring Anthony DeRobertis, Satilia Rose (aka Tilly), Brianna Booker, and Paul Adam Smeltz (yeah that's me). This was followed by Guitarist Justin Scalia who shared his song through his heart. He was followed by Wilbium whose musically mesmerizing injections filled the gathering with the desire to dance which was joyously fulfilled.

It was after Wilbium's performance that it was announced the main list was exhausted and there was enough time for some of those who placed their names on the waiting list to share their talents. This would bring two comedians to the stage. The first was new comer Tommy Stone who shared his observations on the differing views law enforcement in Canada and the United States have in regards to DUI (Driving Under the Influence). The second comedian was well known to the gathering as he was a featured performer several weeks prior. Russell Austin shared his humorous reflections on On Line Dating, Night Terrors, and Dick Pics. It was after his performance was it announced the evening has reached its concluding hour and a bidding of farewells were shared by the company who eagerly awaits the next Open Mic Nite to occur. You'll find more photographs taken during the Sunday April 10^th Open Mic Nite that featured Alli and I in our “An OMN, Alli, and I” Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154776715008761.1073741962.91146283760&type=3.

The next Open Mic Nite is scheduled to take place on Sunday April 17^th beginning at 7pm with sign ins beginning at 6:30pm. The featured performer for the evening will be Wood Chickens. www.facebook.com/woodchickensband/?fref=ts Musicians, poets, writers, and anyone who would like to share something with a receptive audience are welcomed to do so. In the meantime, you'll be able to view the photographs we took during the Sunday April 10^th event in The An OMN, Alli, and I Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154776715008761.1073741962.91146283760&type=3.

The Sherman Theater’s Living Room is located at 522 Main Street in Stroudsburg, PA. You'll be able to view additional photographs taken during installments of their Open Mic Nites Series by their staff along with videos taken of interviews with the featured artists and the performances of some who attended the event on their Facebook Page. In addition to their Open Mic Nites Series, the venue also holds a number of concerts and special events. Please Explore The Sherman Theater’s Living Room Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/OpenMicAtTheLivingRoom, The Sherman Theater's Website at www.shermantheater.com, or call 570-421-2808 for more information.

Photography by Paparazzi Paul.