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An open mike is somewhere that musicians/writers/etc. can go to freely express and share their art with an audience. Open mikes are a wonderful gathering place for poets, authors, hip hop artists, singers, comedians, or anyone who has something to share. Albany itself is home to over 17 open mikes that aren't just for poetry. Best of all, open mikes aren't the only way that we support the arts community. Albany is a beautiful little city with the artistic passion of any old metropolis yet it's fraught with all the amiable charms of a small town. In a city that's only about 135K in population, constant festivals, events, and friendly people mean that there's never an excuse to be bored. The Upstate Artist Guild (UAG) hosts an event on the first Friday of each month on Lark Street. On that same night, there's a Secret Garden Party near Madison Avenue which isn't affiliated with the UAG but still offers a nouveau totemic style gathering for all to enjoy. Each event is free with guest-brought food and wine, great company, and sometimes live music.
The first open mike I attended was at the Social Justice Center in Albany. This humble and life-changing event was originally for a creative writing class I was taking to fulfill my art gen ed and to learn more comprehensive creative writing skills. My professor, Mr. Belflower from SUNY, was giving extra credit to anyone willing to take time out of their Friday to show up and listen to poetry. I went with this guy named Greg, who sat next to me in class Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Greg was a really boring, super conservative person who's only tales revolved around military training exercises and preparing for the end of the world. I like to give everyone a chance, however, and so I took the only person in class who I knew would buy me a beer at Fuzebox after the event.
Rudely, he kept talking to me throughout the entire show and I had to ask him more than once to pay attention. He simply narrowed his eyes and scoffed. "Artists..." he mumbled gruffly under his breath. I could tell he was a Clifton Park kid; boring, not interested in arts and culture, and super absorbed with themselves and the military industrial complex. If it wasn't for the free beer, I'd have certainly moved my seat to the other side of the room as a show of noble protest to his incredibly terrible attitude. The instructor politely waited until Monday morning to scold us for talking. So, thanks to this douche, I ended up with a B+ in a class I should have aced all because I couldn't stand showing up for class most of the time due to having to sit near Greg. Stupid attendance policies!
Rudely, he kept talking to me throughout the entire show and I had to ask him more than once to pay attention. He simply narrowed his eyes and scoffed. "Artists..." he mumbled gruffly under his breath. I could tell he was a Clifton Park kid; boring, not interested in arts and culture, and super absorbed with themselves and the military industrial complex. If it wasn't for the free beer, I'd have certainly moved my seat to the other side of the room as a show of noble protest to his incredibly terrible attitude. The instructor politely waited until Monday morning to scold us for talking. So, thanks to this douche, I ended up with a B+ in a class I should have aced all because I couldn't stand showing up for class most of the time due to having to sit near Greg. Stupid attendance policies!
So, I have decided that it is time for me to truly give open mikes a chance before dismissing them altogether because of one unfortunate event. The next time I go, I'll bring someone interested...and interesting! It will likely be my crazy adventurer boyfriend, Dannibal, who I love for his dedication to the arts.
i love you babe
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