Monday night was full of music and poetry during the Open Mic Night at the Java Café, located in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

More than 10 performers filled the café with a large variety of sounds, from folk to rap, to an audience of close to 100 people.

The night featured Jared Mahone and his funk-infused work on the guitar.

Mahone, a student at Ohio State University, stopped at Eastern while on his solo tour across the Midwest.

“I appreciate all the musicians out here tonight doing their thing,” said Mahone to the crowd as he stepped on stage. “It was cool to see and cool to be apart of.”

Mahone played a 40-minute set that left those in attendance, like Steve Ward, a senior economics major, asking for more with their loud applause.

“My favorite part of Mahone’s performance was when he covered the song ‘Superstition,’ that was amazing,” Ward said.

Half way through his set, Mahone put down his guitar and did some beat boxing that got the crowd going.

The night started off with a folk blues duet.

Sean Walker, a senior art major, played guitar, while Cassidy Grabowski, a senior music major, played violin.

The two started playing together last semester. Their influences include Bob Dylan, Dave Grohl and Freddie Mercury.

The night also included more than just music.

Stephen Tyler, a senior corporate communications major, read a poem about grace, and being thankful for the things you have in life.

“I’ve been writing poetry for about four years,” Tyler said. “I get a lot of my inspiration from music. I’ll hear one word in a song and then build something off it.”

Brian Thomas, a senior sociology major, shared his bluesy rock style of playing.

His influences lie mainly in the local music scene and Todd Snyder.

When asked how long he has been playing guitar, Thomas laughed and responded, “I’ve been pretending to play for 10 years.”

Another performer was Sean Ballard, a freshman sociology major.

Ballard was not afraid to let loose on stage and get into his music.

Much of his influence comes from the quirky sounds and lyrics of Modest Mouse. One of the songs Ballard played is called, “Riders, Painters, Etc.”

“The song’s about being overwhelmed with life, and just taking a step back,” Ballard said.

Open Mic Night held a raffle for those who performed on stage. Three prizes were awarded, including a 100-dollar gift card to Wal-Mart that went to Walker.

As the night came to end, soft guitar sounds echoed through the Java Café.

The next Open Mic Night will be held Sept. 30 at the same place.

Dave Parks can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENnewsdesk@gmail.com.

Sean Walker, a senior art major, performs during Open Mic Night outside the Java B&B on Monday night in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.(Jennifer Meyers/The Daily Eastern News)

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