On Tuesday April 2, 2002, we made our way into Beiderman’s Deli. We were late. It use to be that you could go to open mic at Beiderman’s after the intended sign up time and not have to worry about finding a seat. Now Beiderman’s does not seem big enough to hold everybody. We walked in and scanned the area for a place to sit and found none. The crowd was filled with familiar faces that were regulars to open mic as well as new, fresh faces. The list of readers was already at twenty when we strolled in.
We finally found seats by setting up some chairs near the bar. The night was a special night. Not only did people contribute their individual art, but group/table poems were also shared. Everyone at the tables, and people at the bar, were given a piece of paper for their collaborated efforts. The groups were to create a collective poem. Throughout the night, one could look around the room to see people scribbling down their ideas.
Open Mic was introduced and the first reader went to the microphone. Toby. It was Toby’s first night reading. It is a rare case to find a new reader at Open Mic first on the list. Toby read his poetry with confidence. He was a natural at the mic, setting the mood with his deep verses. His voice was well heard and the audience clapped stridently when he finished.
Nicky, a frequent reader, had a breathy style of recitation that drew in the onlookers. She had a self-assured attitude and held everyone’s attention. Her nameless poems carried a unique rhythm hardly used at the mic. Her creative style and words received great appreciation from the audience.
Dan, another common reader, brought his poetry alive with facial expressions and a booming voice. He opened up with asking if there was anyone in the audience who was either a Friends or Survivor watcher. One poor girl, Katie, raised her hand. She became his target. He spoke of times now forgotten and the absurdity of youth.
Kevin went forward with Pooh slippers on his feet. His reading was about his dislike for Jon Krakaur’s, “Into Thin Air.” This book discusses a group of men’s journey up Mt. Everest on foot. Kevin shuns this by saying he too went up Mt. Everest and the smarter way by car.
As the night progressed, many readers braved the audience, sharing their works. Chris read his strong words with a quietness that made everyone very attentive. Josh, quite the opposite, opened his reading with a bullhorn that played, Dixie. He enlightened the crowd on the American government. Jason took on a style of Kerouac with his beat-poetry.
Jared and friends were a bunch of guys playing guitars and a synthesizer (keyboard in guitar form) that took their place up front with enthusiasm. Their song,
My Name’s Not Billy, took on an Adam Sandler tone. Then it was time for everyone’s favorite dark poet. Erin, a regular, read her poems with passion and certainty.
Overall the night was blessed with gifted writers and talented readers. Though it is overly exciting to see so many faces eager to share their works, the night tends to be long with a great many people reading.
The next open mic shall be held at Beiderman’s Deli located on Main St. on April 23, at 7:00 p.m. You may want to get there early.