Open mic nights offer welcoming venue, casual entertainment

Stafford Arts Commission member and open mic host Jim Bailey opened the event with Neil Young's 'Out on the Weekend.' Photos by Lauri Voter.

Stafford Arts Commission kicked off its third Open Mic Night series on Jan. 19 at the Ben Muzio Town House in Stafford Springs.

The event is offered free of charge to both performers and audience members, and is hosted by Stafford Arts Commission member Jim Bailey. On the third Thursday of each month through April, the casual, coffee house-style atmosphere provides a relaxed environment in which to take in the sounds and artistic flair of local musicians and performers of the “spoken word.”

“Be prepared for anything,” said Arts Commission member Jan Newsome, referring to audience expectation. Performers come from all over to seize an opportunity to express their art in a supportive, critical-free zone. Sign-up begins at 6:45 p.m., and continues on throughout the evening, which wraps up at approximately 9 p.m.

Bailey said that the commission developed the series to promote arts in the community by offering a “venue for people to express themselves through music or spoken word.” Bailey opened the evening by performing Neil Young’s “Out on the Weekend.” He was followed up by performers from Ellington, Enfield, Mansfield and Stafford.

Mark and Dean, a duo from Enfield, performed three numbers.

“The Salt Museum,” a drum soloist from Ellington, performed on a percussion concoction of his own creation that he dubbed a “hybrid” mix of acoustic and electric drums. The audience responded enthusiastically to his project, a performance that lingered somewhere between drum playing and drum performance art.

Bailey said that although the commission has been successful at bringing in quality talent from all over the world, it still faces obstacles. “One of the challenges we’ve had is getting the word out and getting people to come all the way out to Stafford,” said Bailey. “If the turnout is good for this season, then we’ll probably start again the fall. If we don’t have as good a turnout, this may be the last season.”

The Stafford Arts Commission welcomes artists from any town to perform at open mic nights. For details about open mic nights, contact Jim Bailey at 860-597-6326.

Follow Stafford Arts Commission on Facebook or call Stafford Arts Commission Chair Georgia Michalec at 860-684-9500 for more information.