The Other Open Mic
Back in the day, the Pine Tavern was a second home to many of us, especially on Sunday night for the Open Mic. It was a weekly meeting place for the alter-native community to socialize, unwind, and dance. The Pine Tavern closed and when it re-opened under new ownership the Open Mic didn’t return. Recently Oddfellas started hosting one on Sunday nights. Unlike the monthly Spoken Word Open Mic I help host at Cafe del Sol, this one mostly features music. Last night, my second time to attend, had the makings of an old home week, with Chef Natasha in the kitchen, a dark beer in hand, and some familiar and new faces on stage.
It was a treat to be entertained by the next generation. I remember Lavanah when she was a toddler. Now she looks like Ani Difranco but has a sweet singing voice without Ani’s edge. You can hear her original music on her Myspace page HERE.
Sakeeta (right) grew up on the community farm in my neighborhood and was a close friend of my son Josh. With a singing style reminiscent of Kurt Cobain, he paired up with Justin for a rousing set. Later Justin unleashed his Howling Wolf voice, taking prompts from the audience for some on the spot stream of consciousness song and banter.
A man played Bach on the guitar and Mara read some poetry. Meanwhile, Kayla (center) and I played a doodle game where she made a doodle and I added to it and then passed it back to her. I was excited to find a yellow highlighter by the check-out register to borrow, but by the end of the night I was desperate enough for a red pen to ask everyone in the restaurant if they had one. I’d post the doodle here if I had it because it came out pretty good, except for the fact that it was missing some red.
P.S. Bernie (well known musician on the left who I wrote about in January) had the night off.
May 26th, 2008 11:35 am
looks like fun- tell me more about doodle game ??sounds fun sandy
May 26th, 2008 11:41 am
Kayla was doodling in a notepad. I asked her for it, added to her doodle, and then gave it back to her. She added to my doodle and passed it back to me and so on. We were always surprised by what direction the other would take the doodle in, especially when I started to add color.
May 26th, 2008 12:27 pm
Your community has captured that European spirit of sharing and entertaining. There are small pockets in cities here, I am sure, but I don’t get out much anymore.
May 26th, 2008 4:09 pm
I love the way you invest in your community. I honestly believe you are creating peace through your investment. You inspire!
May 26th, 2008 7:01 pm
Claudia, I like your idea that Colleen and friends are creating peace. Yes!
May 26th, 2008 9:47 pm
I wish that open mic had started before I left.
I hope that you are well.
May 26th, 2008 10:19 pm
I added Lavana to my MySpace friends request. Her singing makes me think that she is a very sweet person. Michele sent me. 🙂
May 26th, 2008 11:24 pm
I have a feeling that NO one in Floyd ever stays home to watch TV> Am I right? Michele wants to know, too.
May 27th, 2008 9:34 am
Well, Jayn, for one (on the right in orange), doesn’t even have a TV.
May 27th, 2008 9:11 pm
That looks like my kind of evening. Lavanah is a beautiful name and you make me want to hear her voice.