Spring Break
Open mic at 193 Coffee House offers diverse acts, laid-back atmosphere
Joshua Aromin
Issue date: 2/11/09 Section: Entertainment
02/11/09 - As the semester has gone into full swing, and with most of us starting to drown in textbooks and loose leaf, the 193 Degree Coffee House held its first open mic Monday night.
While most students at URI will never have hopes or aspirations to become the next pop-sensation or rock superstar, many came out to take their best shot at showcasing their best musical talents.
The 193 Degree Coffee House, located in the Union on the opposite side of the Ram's Den, was packed. Patrons grabbed seats on couches and loomed around tables while participants performed in front of the crowded audience. Though many were there to perform, others were simply in attendance just to watch and have a good time.
Performers were allowed two songs each and they ranged from songs by traditional acoustic acts to more dynamic electric ones.
The setup was comprised of two amps set on either side of the room with two microphones available for use. It was centered in front of the Coffee House fireplace.
Portraits of a deer and an anonymous elderly woman stood on the mantel along with a mirror and the Coffee House's track lighting illuminated adding to the room's warm living room style atmosphere.
For the most part, the sound projected well through the room. The only shortfalls in sound were usually due to a singer not singing loudly enough or a microphone pointing in the wrong direction.
There was a definite sampling of underdeveloped singers among the performers, but others were more refined and polished. It was apparent that some singers had some previous training or experience, whereas others probably just felt like giving it a shot for one day.
A wide variety of songs were performed including covers of songs by Alanis Morisette, Billy Bragg, and a "schizophrenic songwriter." As with the singers, some musicians were more polished than others while some played with slightly out-of-tune guitars complete with a squeaky twang sound.
Though it's likely no one at the Coffee House's open mic will ever make it big, that's not the real purpose fof the event. It serves as a venue for anyone with some kind of creative mind to be able to showcase their work and have fun while doing it.
The informality of the show was also apparent in the way everyone laughed and joked while holding all sorts of conversations. It was an opportunity to enjoy a laidback night in a very relaxed setting accompanied by friendly people and diverse music.
It was the perfect chance to grab a 75-cent Coke, drink a cup of coffee, school someone on a board game, hang out with friends, and sing some songs all without having to be subjected to the wrath of Simon Cowell. If anything else, it was a chance to get away from the lectures and textbooks even for just a few hours.
While most students at URI will never have hopes or aspirations to become the next pop-sensation or rock superstar, many came out to take their best shot at showcasing their best musical talents.
The 193 Degree Coffee House, located in the Union on the opposite side of the Ram's Den, was packed. Patrons grabbed seats on couches and loomed around tables while participants performed in front of the crowded audience. Though many were there to perform, others were simply in attendance just to watch and have a good time.
Performers were allowed two songs each and they ranged from songs by traditional acoustic acts to more dynamic electric ones.
The setup was comprised of two amps set on either side of the room with two microphones available for use. It was centered in front of the Coffee House fireplace.
Portraits of a deer and an anonymous elderly woman stood on the mantel along with a mirror and the Coffee House's track lighting illuminated adding to the room's warm living room style atmosphere.
For the most part, the sound projected well through the room. The only shortfalls in sound were usually due to a singer not singing loudly enough or a microphone pointing in the wrong direction.
There was a definite sampling of underdeveloped singers among the performers, but others were more refined and polished. It was apparent that some singers had some previous training or experience, whereas others probably just felt like giving it a shot for one day.
A wide variety of songs were performed including covers of songs by Alanis Morisette, Billy Bragg, and a "schizophrenic songwriter." As with the singers, some musicians were more polished than others while some played with slightly out-of-tune guitars complete with a squeaky twang sound.
Though it's likely no one at the Coffee House's open mic will ever make it big, that's not the real purpose fof the event. It serves as a venue for anyone with some kind of creative mind to be able to showcase their work and have fun while doing it.
The informality of the show was also apparent in the way everyone laughed and joked while holding all sorts of conversations. It was an opportunity to enjoy a laidback night in a very relaxed setting accompanied by friendly people and diverse music.
It was the perfect chance to grab a 75-cent Coke, drink a cup of coffee, school someone on a board game, hang out with friends, and sing some songs all without having to be subjected to the wrath of Simon Cowell. If anything else, it was a chance to get away from the lectures and textbooks even for just a few hours.
