I was delighted to attend Open Mic Night at Blakely Hall a couple months ago. The quarterly event proved to be an opportune space for both performing and learning, as I soon found out.
As a first-year member of the Highlands Youth (HY) Advisory Board, lifelong resident of Issaquah and longtime musician, I jumped at the chance to immerse myself in a space celebrating art and community. It more than lived up to my expectations.
The stage for Open Mic Night was opened up to artistry of all mediums—poetry, music, comedy and the like—and an attentive audience greeted every prospective performer. Between the ten-piece brass band and the practiced opera singer, art of all kinds flourished.
The informal setup—and soaring ceilings—ensured that every performance wasn’t just enjoyable to listen to, but fun to perform, and every piece was greeted with enthusiastic applause.
As the night drew to a close, we forewent formal performances in favor of simply playing music over the speakers and dancing, a simple yet warm conclusion. The line between performer and audience blurred with the newfound familiarity.
By the end, I had found myself the energetic learner of a dance to the upbeat and up-tempo “Naatu Naatu” from the Indian Telugulanguage movie “RRR.” The routine was graciously taught to me by a skillful singer and dancer who had been—up until an hour earlier—a complete stranger.
February’s Open Mic Night brought music spanning genres and cultures together. However, the event’s most significant benefit was the opportunity it provided for talented performers and art enthusiasts of Issaquah Highlands to meet and experience the joy of new connections.
To any prospective attendees, I highly recommend it! Open Mic Night offers the convenience of a minimal time commitment, as guests are welcome to come and go as they please throughout the event. To participate, just write your name on the performance list to secure a timeslot.
The atmosphere could not have been more convivial, and the audience was delighted with every act, no matter its genre or medium. As I talked with different artists throughout the night, many echoed the sentiment that events like these provide value not only to the audience but also to the performers. These low-stakes opportunities offer a chance to get more comfortable with being in the spotlight.
The spontaneous nature of the event encouraged Highlands Council to revise the title to Open Mic & Karaoke Night moving forward.
The next Open Mic & Karaoke Night will take place at Blakely Hall on Friday, May 12, from 7 to 9 p.m. See you there!
Audrey Short is a Magnolia Park resident.
