The Troubadour Hosts "Spooky Open Mic Night"

Lexie Ludlam, the first performer at the Open Mic Night I Photo Courtesy of Colby McCaskill (on film).

The Troubadour Art and Literary Magazine of the King’s College held a Halloween-themed poetry reading, its  second event of the year, last Friday, Oct. 21. The open mic night took place in the City Room at 7 p.m. and was set to include performers from both upper and lower-classmen. Throughout the night, the low stage, surrounded by cobwebs, draped in carpet and illuminated by purple-orange lights, held writers, readers, dancers and singers who came to both listen and share their own work. 

“Everyone seemed to have a good time hanging out with each other, and everyone got to listen and promote their work,” according to Sarene Jackson, managing editor of The Troubadour.

Lexie Ludlam began the night by reading aloud her imaginative horror story of lonely subway adventures. 

Some students chose to read aloud original free verse poetry, such as Julia Jensen who shared her poem about her first semester at King's. Alexandra De Jesús read her poem riddled with a subtext of tragedy and death; Edwin “Chivo” Perez performed selections of Her, a three-part love story of reminiscence and grief; Natalia Gaytan recited her poetic verbalization of internal pain; Lydia White delivered her story resembling the events of the fall in genesis.

Chivo Perez performing Her I Photo by Colby McCaskill on film.

Another student, Sarah Arrigotti, read Depression is Funny Like That, a slam poem by Reagan Myers, her favorite author. 

As time went on, the acts became less traditional poetry readings and instead rather took the form of interpretive dance. Both Ramon Cruz and Frankie Harmon showcased their dancing abilities, one to a funk-pop beat just before intermission, and the other to Jackson’s semi-improvised poem.

Ramon Cruz dances for the Open Mic Night I Photo by Colby McCaskill on film.

In the penultimate performance, Perez and Jackson freestyled a song using words suggested by the audience. To end the night, David Rovis premiered his newest short film — Even Vegans Lose Their Marbles — about a vegan woman attempting to find love; starring Jensen, Jackson and Mali Benin. 

The audience demonstrated overwhelming enjoyment throughout the entire night, whooping and hollering after every performance and substituting the typical snapping approval of poetry with thunderous applause.

“That’s what The Troubadour is here to do; anyone who wants to listen and anyone who wants to voice can come here,” said Jackson.

Colby McCaskill is a freshman at The King’s College majoring in Journalism, Culture and Society. He loves to write and enjoys running in the rain.