Once again, I was humbled and awed by the privilege of sharing stage space with all of my talented friends. Somehow you build a space and give it away and just the most amazing things start happening.
August 25th, Show+Tell took over The Graham Bar in Willamsburg New York for the entire night. As always, you put 7pm on an event and most people show by 8. I arrived early, putting up extensive art gallery from Kayla and Toma as well as carry over from all the past Open Mics.
Jared arrived to add much more art, this time a collection of nudes in charcoal on brown paper as well as the comic panels and fantasy landscapes.
The art collections were great. Toma’s careful use of color. I love the bright orange-red of the Japanese architecture. Kayla’s fun, fanciful abstracts played with pattern and color. I saw the ladders that reminded me of her ladder sculpture and other cool geometric shapes, like the spirals. Jared as always flexes a wide variety of artistic talent. Some of those nudes were hot and sexy. Some were weird and only vaguely humanoid, a collective mishmash of human limbs and figures. They set a great tone and space. The comics and fantasy drawings are always just super detailed and immediately world building, which is amazing.
Then came the performances. Mike started with a comedy routine outlining his experiences in LA. It was funny and authentic which meshed perfectly with the casual tone. He read two poems. One particularly. about the equation for light, came from a fantastic inspiration. Also, a collaborative effort with Hannah which is awesome.
Calvin. God damn. He swept me off my feet. He made my jaw go slack. He shoveled it full with grits and truth. It’s true that the peak was his performance of his friend’s poem. The combination of rhythm and delivery was maximized, and a goal worthy to aspire towards. But Calvin’s originals were in the same vein of raw, real emotion and poetic resonance. I loved every second of it.
Garrett Robinson was a real surprise! Imagine running into a Meet the Author near the New York Public Library and having him show up that week to your open mic? Absurd. He was excellent, clearly a comfortable and experience performer. The wide meandering of the verses painted a life well lived and a heart full metal.
Amazing Amy may have been the actual highlight, as she sang and twisted her way into our hearts. Truly an inspiration. A marvel. It was indescribable to see her perform and it’s someone I’d like to invite over and over.
TB’s friend all showed up to round out the musical talent. They all came on in a variety of talent and skills, even as they occupied a similar spectrum of musical genre. Blue Spruce rocked out in a punk-rock show. Alicyn weaved musical dramas through her solos and melodic voice. TB threw down, and I happily jammed out to his rock star performance. Elijah closed out the night with some casual ballads, as we transitioned a bit away from the performances.
Peter picked it up on the DJ booth. He took a nice long progressive tour through nearly his entire collection over 3 and a half hours. The funky techno honestly got me grooving, and the transitions were indistinguishable from the many many hours I’ve danced at rave parties.
The audience was engaged and encouraging, exactly the vibe I want to cultivate. We cheered each other on, we laughed mistakes off, we fully appreciated the moments and highs with enthusiasm and interaction. Everyone was great, everyone was welcoming, I’m so grateful for that crowd.
Here’s the tea. It took a lot to put this one together. I had issues come at me left and right, from the venue getting switched at the last minute, to getting enough performers, to trying to find art to fill the space. I had expectations for a weekend show, but kept running into deadlocks that cost time and effort and money. On top of that, I couldn’t raise a cent, finding that my biggest roadblock is still ahead. Monetization.
But. I threw a party. It was a dope as fuck party. Everyone who came had a fun time. It was weird and authentic and collective. People made some art themselves. People engaged and enjoyed the collection. I think I spoke really well. I was more comfortable and playful on the mic and I loved my readings.
Overall, this experience has been humbling and fruitful. I’ve learned a lot from the process. I’m glad people enjoy themselves at the thing. I hope that the next two can continue to be celebrations, and I would like to make things that cause for celebration.
I hope the event goes on without my presence, I hope it continues to give space and time to new and unknown artists and regular people. To celebrate amateurs, maybe in a diluted or different sense, but always present. Performers. Performances. Making art. Being present and spontaneous.
Two more. Minimum. November 17th and at least one next year. Both trying to give some responsibility to TB, Jared, and one more. Peter for DJ residency and additional help. TB and Jared to definitely be collaborative as to keep the third wheel inside.
Some other thoughts: Toma was very right. In order to highlight the art, we need lights. Otherwise many get draped in the dim shadows of the night. Cheap. Diffusive, not heavy. Portable and Malleable. Clip lights. Or book reading lights. And then some sort a sheathe made from recycled milk carton to diffuse. The art gallery continues to be a part I want to include, because it also gives way to more creative efforts by the audience.
The art tables are great. I like that people participate and use them. It worked way better in the Graham, especially to newcomers, who found welcome if they tired of the performances.
Great to have variety, that spread is one of the best parts of this event.
I want to advertise the artists more so they can be followed up on. The blog write ups are nice. I want to distribute QR codes for whoever is putting things up/performing. However it happens, getting the audience to know who’s performing is key for the next two.
I’ll try to get more money flow somehow, but I’m not sure how. More advertising for it. Most notice. Put out a real box somewhere.
But we have a venue! The Graham, Dan and the staff has been incredible, so I’m super lucky to have found him.
I think people liked the gifts, and shirts and other things will continue to be important to bring.
Overall, I can only be hyped. The Open Mic has been a resoundingly successful venture. I’m so proud to have done them, I’m so excited for the next round, I’m happy to keep it going.
November 17th! I’ll make more gifts! I and my collaborators will share more art! Y’all just be present and stay beautiful.
Peace, Love, Work,
Winston