For some, it was their first time on stage, and they were nervous. For the other, more seasoned performers, it was no big deal. In the end, experience didn't matter, since anyone was welcome.
Students from all corners of AU used the stage at the Davenport Coffee Lounge in the SIS building to creatively express themselves Friday night.
Some performers arrived alone. Others brought guests armed with digital cameras, ready to capture their friends' talents.
Sophomores Lizzy Lynch and Chrissy Hassel started Open Mic Night at the SIS coffee lounge earlier this semester.
"There needs to be an outlet for people's talents, whether it be music or poetry or any creative art," Hassel said. "I think it's really filled a gap in something that was missing at AU."
The event Friday featured talents typical of an open mic night, ranging from acoustic guitar sets to poetry recitations.
Although performing was a new experience for some students, the relaxed atmosphere in Davenport proved the perfect outlet for creative voice. The coffee lounge is everything a college hangout should be, complete with old Oriental rugs, comfy leather couches and van Gogh prints cluttering the walls. The "stage" is actually just a small step up off the floor, and doesn't allow much movement since books overflow off of bookcases into every corner.
This provided just the right setting for acts like Jordan and the Amazingly Pretentious Flower Metaphor Band. Comprised of Jordan Watts, Josh Goodman, Dominic Ouellette and Dan McGahey, the band focuses on deeper meanings in life, like life and death, according to Goodman.
"If you listen closely, you may find the flowers in the song have a deeper meaning," Watts quipped.
Other acts weren't as tongue-in-cheek as Jordan and the Amazingly Pretentious Flower Band. Several students performed poetry, with subjects ranging from 9/11 to religion. Whether or not an act was serious, the 40 or so people in the audience listened attentively and gave each performer a raucous round of applause.
Friday night was the second Open Mic Night this year. While there were some repeat acts, the line-up was, for the most part, fresh.
"That just shows how talented the AU community is," Hassel said.
Freshman Ian Maley enjoyed performing at the first Open Mic Night so much that he returned to the second one.
"I really like the atmosphere here," Maley said. "People show a lot of support, that's the best thing about it."
Maley's acoustic set was certainly one of the evening's most popular acts. He also lent his hand to several different performers, accompanying them on guitar.
One thing that remains constant is the "feature" performer. Each featured act is allowed to perform for longer than other acts. Friday's event featured Erik Trickett, a singer from Long Beach, Calif.
Since its debut earlier this semester, Open Mic Night at Davenport has steadily gained popularity.
"Word of mouth is huge," Lynch said. Students have been posting comments about it on the DailyJolt, she said.
Lynch and Hassel stressed Open Mic Night's "anything goes" mentality.
"We're into self-expression, and whatever form that takes on, that's whatever form it takes on," Lynch said. "Anything and everything is encouraged. We're very understanding."
Open Mic Night is a biweekly event. The next is scheduled for Oct. 29 at 8:30 p.m. Sign up sheets are passed out at the event, so no pre-registration is necessary.
