From flamenco-style jams to spoken-word poetry, diverse talents filled San Ignacio Auditorium last night as students took the stage for Convivium’s first open mic this fall.
Convivium began as a literary magazine from the English department publishing student artwork, writing, and music each spring. It now includes Art-in-the-Park events and open mic nights which allow students to share throughout the year.
“We just aim to make events comfortable, welcoming, and free-flowing,” said senior Santi Aguila, Convivium’s president.
Besides soft stage lights, the dark auditorium seated 30 audience members—many of whom also performed. The shaded windows and cabin-esque walls lent to the low-pressure atmosphere.
Convivium Vice President Meaux Mosley kicked off the event, cracking the audience up as she adjusted to the ring light and posed for cameras before reading “Forest Maiden,” an original poem.
Poetry poured on with “Stay” by Convivium Vice President Alejandro Moran which bared his homesickness for El Salvador, and “A Feeling” by Colombia native Cristian Perdomo, dedicated to someone he danced with and their “gorgeous blue eyes.” Upholding a tradition pioneered by Mosley, junior Madeleine Brynne read her grocery list, causing laughter to erupt: “Cherry tomatoes. Spinach. Heavy cream…”
But music bloomed when Kyle Sidwell, a freshman from St. Louis, Missouri, whisked the audience to Appalachia with delta blues guitar covers of Colton Wahl’s “Sleeping on the Blacktop” and “The Devil Wears a Suit and Tie.”
His performances, along with fellow freshman and Long Island native Benjamin Augusto Saravi’s rendition of “Blackbird” by The Beatles, made the audience clap along. But unexpectedly, the two joined forces for an impromptu flamenco-inspired jam which elicited whistles and calls from the crowd.
“Kyle told me about open mic last night and I thought it sounded sick,” Saravi said. On their duo, Saravi revealed it began in El Faro’s lounge where he’d play FIFA. One day, Sidwell came down and practiced Spanish guitar.
“I was like, ‘Shoot!’ I grew up listening to that and it’s hard to find players in the States,” he continued. Since then, the pair would jam sporadically.
“I’d performed as a classical bassist in high school,” Sidwell said. “I’ve played guitar as well, but never showcased it. So I saw the ads for open mic and said ‘Why not?’”
Adding to the colorful night, freshman Sude Avcı sang karaoke style to a Turkish hit called “Makyaj” by the band Model, capturing the post-breakup blues.
On her spontaneous decision, Avcı said, “I felt the community would not judge me. And I’ve always wanted to sing in front of people.”
Tears spilled soon after with a spoken word performance by senior Anna Witthoeft on her boyfriend’s illness, from the perspective of his tumor he named Teddy.
“I really liked the performances,” first-time attendee and junior Clayton Carper said. “It gave me a lot of inspiration for my work.”
As for future open mics, Aguila said that Convivium tries to host three or four a semester providing more opportunities for students to showcase their work.
