By This past Friday, the University’s Food Co-op hosted an open mic night in collaboration with the Poetry Club and WHRW, a free-format community radio station. The cozy event, featuring a blend of poetry and music, transformed the space into a lively and creative hub for students and artists.
A Welcoming Atmosphere with Art and Vegan Delights
The venue was bathed in soft fairy lights, which added to the relaxed ambiance. Colorful artwork adorned the walls, and attendees were encouraged to paint wooden birdhouses and coasters while enjoying the performances. The “take what you need” clothing rack further contributed to the community feel of the night.
The Food Co-op, known for its vegan options, provided a selection of treats and drinks for the evening. Attendees were treated to Earl Grey and double chocolate chunk cookies, chai blondies, espresso brownies, hot apple cider, hot toddies, and kombucha in flavors like apple and nectarine.
Ashley Dua, the general manager of the Food Co-op and a senior political science major, shared the inspiration behind the event’s collaboration. “WHRW and the Poetry Club reached out to us because we hosted this space last year, and they wanted to do it again,” she explained. The Co-op was eager to create a space for the community to gather, share, and create.
A Night of Diverse Performances
The performances were as varied as the food and art on display. The lineup included everything from indie garage bands to solo artists, and both sentimental and comedic poems. The small stage was cluttered with guitars, amps, Moleskine notebooks, and loose-leaf papers, reflecting the impromptu and creative nature of the event.
Roxanne Wells, a senior majoring in theatre, opened the night with her band Go Away Bird. They performed a mix of indie and pop songs, including a Strokes cover and “There She Goes” by The La’s. Subsequent performances featured songs like “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan, “Santeria” by Sublime, and “Francis Forever” by Mitski, showing the wide range of musical tastes.
In between the musical acts, poets took the stage. Some had planned to perform, while others were inspired by the moment and signed up spontaneously. Each poem received enthusiastic snaps from the audience, creating a supportive and encouraging environment.
Poetry as a Powerful Expression
Holli Tasker, a sophomore psychology major and the Poetry Club’s marketing chair, shared a deeply personal poem titled “When I Grow Up I Will Be My Younger Self”, reflecting on the parallels between children and elderly adults, particularly those with memory loss. In a post-event reflection, Tasker expressed the unique experience of performing poetry aloud.
“Performing poetry out loud is truly a unique way of expression that is rarely replicated in any other way,” Tasker wrote in an email. She described the vulnerability of sharing poetry in such a public forum, adding that it can feel “freeing” to open oneself up to an audience, whether friends or strangers.
The evening’s blend of art, music, poetry, and community spirit left everyone feeling a sense of unity and inspiration. It was a reminder of the power of creativity to bring people together and provide an outlet for self-expression.