Last Thursday, Poets & Writers, Plymouth State University’s own literary and artistic student organization, held their second Open Mic of the year. Located in the Fire Place Lounge in the HUB, a microphone was set up on a carpet for students, faculty, and anyone who attended to sit and read their own pieces or play their original music. The organization also held a raffle; the prizes including a “tentacle mustache” and a “seven deadly mustaches” kit. All of the proceeds from the raffle go to the funding of Centripetal, the Poets & Writers’ literary magazine compiled of submitted pieces from anyone enrolled at PSU. The magazine is a way to give students a voice, and will be accepting up to 4000 words of poetry and prose as well as paintings, photographs, and drawings submitted to poetswriters@mail.plymouth.edu by October 28th.
The event started off with Mike DiTommaso, a member of Poets & Writers, playing a bit from his harmonica. Hosting the event, while the Poets & Writers President Kristen Russell sold raffle tickets, Mike introduced each poet and player to come up to the mic, all while offering silly jokes, banter, and constant reminders about the raffle that was being held. The event showcased lots of talent throughout the night, offering not just poetry, but stories and music as well. After a few fake names from humorous students being read off from the list, the event began with Ryan Cameron, a PSU student, reading two new poems, one titled “N-A” about different people, some the audience knew and some they didn’t, and who they were or weren’t, and two old poems. The next up to mic was Jake Desmarais, a senior at PSU and also the only singer who performed at open mic. He performed two original songs on his acoustic guitar, one being about the end of a long relationship. While he was playing, many people walking upstairs by the courtroom would pop their heads over the bars and watch, some even stopping on the stairs to watch him perform. The event continued on with poetry and stories from students, as well as pure humor when Billy Barth performed his piece “Ego Boost”, which consisted of him taking off his shirt and flexing while the crowd “whistled, cat-called, oohed, and aahed”. It was a hard act to follow, but people stepped up to the mic and continued on.
Even some faculty members went up and read their own pieces. Liz Ahl, a professor from the English Department, went up and read her interesting and humorous essay about “not friending the famous poet on Facebook”. Mark Flynn, another member of the English Department, read a jazzy piece about his disgust with Justin Beiber and the Top 40 in music, and how he lived for jazz like Clarence Clemons and how he had “no Christmas albums in his collection, except for Elvis.” He also showcased his humor in his piece titled, “I’m a F**k Up, but I’m on Fire”. The night concluded with the host reading one of his own pieces and thanking all those for attending and reading. The open mic turned out a good crowd, offering many interesting and diverse pieces that all could enjoy. The setting was warm and homely, offering entertainment for anyone. Like PSU’s student Cecil Smith said, “Open Mic is a place where people will listen to your poetry. It’s like family.”