A Welcome Controversy?
The Open Mic Nights are some of the most popular events on campus
put on by Program Committee. They are held nearly every Monday in the large
ballroom of the Rondileau Campus Center. Even though they start fairly early in
the evening—according to college student time—they tend to go into overtime in
order to accommodate all those who wish to perform. The atmosphere is casual and
everyone gets along. It is not uncommon for one musician to join another on
stage without any prior planning. There is one issue however that splits the
group: coloring.
One of the traditions of Open Mic Nights is that a large piece of paper is placed on each of the tables. A coffee mug full of crayons is then put on the paper. As audience members listen to the poets and musicians, they will turn these pieces of paper into works of art. This has been an essential part of the coffeehouse-like atmosphere.
The habit of coloring at Open Mic Nights was recently called into question. The proposition that coloring be removed was brought forth by the president of Seeds of Poetry, Mike Malpiedi. A lot of the organization members perform at every Open Mic
Night. Many of the performers felt that the audience was distracted by the coloring and viewed the practice as disrespectful. The feeling of being up on stage, pouring your heart out, and looking out at a sea of would-be Picassos was described as disheartening. There is also a belief that some audience members come specifically for the coloring and leave when they’ve finished.
Despite these concerns Jason Alan—who runs the subcommittee responsible for the series—has made the decision to keep the tradition. Alan weighed both sides of the situation before making his final decision. The process took about a week and was made solely by Alan. Because he has full responsibility of the events he was not required to get approval from Program Committee’s advisor. Even though he could understand the concerns felt by Seeds of Poetry members, he did not believe that coloring was the only reason for some audience members’ attendance. He also believed that it was important to keep some sense of tradition after the major move from 1 Park Ave to the large ballroom—made last year.
Many regular volunteers and attendees of Open Mic Nights have been elated to hear this. When asked about how she felt about the possibility of coloring being discontinued, student Mary Owens responded: “I feel this is a horrible thing to consider. Keep it!” Sophomore Alanna Mehrtens defended the activity: “I think that it gives the people who listen to the music something to do…When I work the events I like to see what people drew…It just adds to the cool, relaxing atmosphere”. Travis Garlick—who also works the events—has a message for those who oppose coloring: “Any who objects to coloring during Open Mic, objects to doodling on notes, and any such act of random drawing: it’s fun. Plus, I clean up the coloring and every placemat has something on it”.
Garlick has even used some of the works of art to decorate his dorm walls.
As someone who has attended and worked Open Mic Nights for the past two years, I would be heartbroken to see coloring disappear from the tables. Coloring while listening to the talent that this campus has makes for a relaxing Monday night. The activity is not a distraction nor is it the main reason for my attendance. Once the performers realize that they are a bigger draw than the promise of coloring, everyone in the Open Mic Nights community can be happy again.
put on by Program Committee. They are held nearly every Monday in the large
ballroom of the Rondileau Campus Center. Even though they start fairly early in
the evening—according to college student time—they tend to go into overtime in
order to accommodate all those who wish to perform. The atmosphere is casual and
everyone gets along. It is not uncommon for one musician to join another on
stage without any prior planning. There is one issue however that splits the
group: coloring.
One of the traditions of Open Mic Nights is that a large piece of paper is placed on each of the tables. A coffee mug full of crayons is then put on the paper. As audience members listen to the poets and musicians, they will turn these pieces of paper into works of art. This has been an essential part of the coffeehouse-like atmosphere.
The habit of coloring at Open Mic Nights was recently called into question. The proposition that coloring be removed was brought forth by the president of Seeds of Poetry, Mike Malpiedi. A lot of the organization members perform at every Open Mic
Night. Many of the performers felt that the audience was distracted by the coloring and viewed the practice as disrespectful. The feeling of being up on stage, pouring your heart out, and looking out at a sea of would-be Picassos was described as disheartening. There is also a belief that some audience members come specifically for the coloring and leave when they’ve finished.
Despite these concerns Jason Alan—who runs the subcommittee responsible for the series—has made the decision to keep the tradition. Alan weighed both sides of the situation before making his final decision. The process took about a week and was made solely by Alan. Because he has full responsibility of the events he was not required to get approval from Program Committee’s advisor. Even though he could understand the concerns felt by Seeds of Poetry members, he did not believe that coloring was the only reason for some audience members’ attendance. He also believed that it was important to keep some sense of tradition after the major move from 1 Park Ave to the large ballroom—made last year.
Many regular volunteers and attendees of Open Mic Nights have been elated to hear this. When asked about how she felt about the possibility of coloring being discontinued, student Mary Owens responded: “I feel this is a horrible thing to consider. Keep it!” Sophomore Alanna Mehrtens defended the activity: “I think that it gives the people who listen to the music something to do…When I work the events I like to see what people drew…It just adds to the cool, relaxing atmosphere”. Travis Garlick—who also works the events—has a message for those who oppose coloring: “Any who objects to coloring during Open Mic, objects to doodling on notes, and any such act of random drawing: it’s fun. Plus, I clean up the coloring and every placemat has something on it”.
Garlick has even used some of the works of art to decorate his dorm walls.
As someone who has attended and worked Open Mic Nights for the past two years, I would be heartbroken to see coloring disappear from the tables. Coloring while listening to the talent that this campus has makes for a relaxing Monday night. The activity is not a distraction nor is it the main reason for my attendance. Once the performers realize that they are a bigger draw than the promise of coloring, everyone in the Open Mic Nights community can be happy again.