Open Mic Monday

Yesterday one of my good friends invited me and some other friends to a bar for a 90s open mic. I didn’t have my piano; I had no intention of performing. Until my friend pointed out I could do poetry. Then, as people were paying homage to Oasis and Smashmouth and Green Day, I wondered if I could do a song acapella (without music). I was going back and forth between which to do, song or poem, until my friend put me out of my misery and said “Just do both”

I went up right after one of my friends who is a very talented guitarist. Everyone was chatting amongst themselves. My mic barely broke the din. I started reading a poem.  I was the only one that night who read a poem. Oh why oh why did I do a poem? This was not the right time or place. I was relieved when it was over. Then my song.

I chose Beautiful by Christina Aguilera even though technically the song was released in 2002. I hit every note, I mastered that song, the fact that I was unaccompanied didn’t matter. I knew I could do it. As I sang I heard stuff from the audience (“omg she’s doing this acapella”). They had gone very quiet like we were in church or something and my words were a prayer. Then during the last chorus the audience swelled in song. My friends were singing but so was everyone else. I felt moved, almost to tears. 

There was intense applause after. I practically ran off the stage, giddy with delight, almost tripping over a wire. My friends were there to hug me and tell me I did great. My friend asked  someone to take a picture of all of us to  commemorate this occasion. In the picture you can see my huge smile (I didn’t post it here to protect the privacy of the people I was with). As we were leaving one of the organizers took my hand (in a noncreepy way) and said “You wrote a beautiful poem and you have a beautiful voice” The fact that he mentioned the poem meant alot. I thought no one heard it. My friends were giving me a ride. I followed them and skipped off into the night.