The Journal

Issue date: 11/10/05 Section: LifeStyle

Media Credit: Brent Holzapfel Freshman Patrick Vacek plays the guitar as an overcrowded Jazzman's Cafe audience listens at Webster's first open mic night.

"This is totally unscripted!" shouted sophomore Benny Roberts, leaning on the computer desks that line one side of Jazzman's Café, during First Fridays, an open mic show.

The crowd - over 70 strong at its peak - laughed heartily at junior Larry Morris. He performed as his alter-ego Fallout, struggling to keep audio production major Brian Collins' CD from skipping.

The technical issues were eventually solved by Morris attaching his personal CD player to the two giant speakers that campus activities had set up, allowing Collins to rap his song.

First Fridays, which ran 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 4, is Webster University's first continual open mic show. Roberts, a sociology and education major, organized the event as a program coordinator for campus activities.

"First Fridays gives students a chance to express themselves through song, poetry and comedy," said Roberts, the host for First Fridays this school year.

Dean of Students Ted Hoef and Roberts both initiated the project. According to Roberts, it was Hoef's idea to hold the event in Jazzman's Café in the Emerson Library because he felt that the coffee house was part of the open mic culture. However, the café turned out to be quite small for the event, compared to the University Center Sunnen Lounge or Marletto's Marketplace, which were also considered.

A makeshift stage was set up in front of the elevator next to Jazzman's. Roberts expected far fewer people. As a result, seating, which included armchairs brought down from the Cyber Café staircase, was limited and many stood in the back or sat on the floor. In fact, the crowd also overflowed onto the steps and watched the performances through the glass windows above the computers on the first floor.

Ten different acts signed up, including an introductory poem by Roberts that was accompanied by an interpretive tap dance routine by junior Emanuel da Silva, an education major.

However, because walk-ins were welcomed and encouraged, the night stretched to a full two hours with 22 acts. Some people came up more than once.

The performances varied from songs, both original and covers, to poetry readings and even to improvisational stand-up comedy.

Continued...

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