Are you in the mood for an adventure? Do you want to discover a new side of yourself? Do you have a message or creative side of yourself you’ve ever wanted to share with the world? Have you ever felt the irresistible pull of the spotlight?
I felt this pull to the stage of years after letting my musical talents lie dormant. I wouldn’t say that I had retired my skills; no one ever loses 24 years of intense study to the craft of music and performing arts and lose that urge to express themselves through art and song completely.
I will say that part of me had did not view music talents as a way to filter people out of my life, and instead I viewed music and performing talents as a way that I lost people in my life. I should have viewed the talent that I cultivated for years as more of a refining fire: it has the power to take things and people away that don’t belong and bring those people who belong in your life.
This year, I decided I owed it to myself to begin sharing my talent with the world, and after eight months, I can say it’s been a challenging, positive and rewarding experience. What started out as a new years resolution and a fun thing to do to keep my music skills sharp has changed my life in many ways.
If you’re thinking about sharing your talents with the world and entering the performing ringside as well, here are some positive points to consider before entering the open mic adventure! This will be a series, so this post will start with benefit number one along with relevant multimedia examples!
Open Mic Benefit 1: Discover the joy of expressing yourself
Open mic events give you an opportunity to help you express yourself in whichever medium you choose. Whether you’re belting out original tunes, reciting poetry that touches hearts, or delivering stand-up comedy that induces belly laughs, these events are the perfect avenue to let your creativity be exposed to a supportive audience.
The clip above is from my second open mic appearance at Levity Brewing Co. in Altoona, PA in January 2023. It was a packed house and a little more nerve wracking compared to my first open mic, which was at Spring Dam Brewing Co. in Roaring Spring, PA. It was exhilarating being able to interact with a larger crowd and inviting them be involved as a crowd during “Sixteen Tons.”
I didn’t realize that I had a knack for comedy before I started performing at open mics. At first, I started only singing and playing piano, and in between performance sets (and a few more glasses of wine or beer), my friends realized the latent talent for making others laugh was laying in wait to be expressed. I discovered a new part of myself that I hadn’t previously been aware of before performing at open mics; a latent comedienne. Who would have thought?
I wouldn’t had known I had talents for interacting fearlessly in front of a crowd and also helping to make strangers laugh if I hadn’t started performing in open mics, so who knows what parts of yourself you will find as you start to put yourself out there in front of others!
Stay tuned for Part 2!