Open Mic Night

On Saturday, October 4th at 7:00pm, Central hosted their first Open Mic night of the year, where many students performed music and sold artwors. Central’s music department hosts at least two open mic nights every school year in Central’s music room. This year, the Art Department has decided to sell their artwork at every open mic night, creating another opportunity for students to be involved. With both the Music and Art Departments taking part this year in open mic nights, students have great opportunities to share their talents with others.

At the first Open Mic night, many artistic students of Central sold their seasonal artwork. The artwork included halloween watercolor cards and sculptured décor pumpkins. The art was a wonderful way for Art Club Members, Central’s Art students, and anyone else who independently created their art on their own, to sell their art. Senior and President of Art Club, Kylie Poling expressed how incorporating selling artwork at every open mic night was a efficient way for parents and other family members who may miss the annual Art Gala, to see and purchase their child’s artwork. Reflecting on the benefits of combing both the art and music departments for open mic night, Poling states, “We decided to have the music and arts department come together, so we could experience music and art in the same event.” With this new combination of music and artwork at all, artistic and music students of Central have an excellent opportunity to display their gifts and talents and share them with others.

The first Open Mic night had great performers throughout the evening, and it was very enjoyable for many students to show off their musical gifts with their peers. Ella Fairbanks, a Senior and Open Mic Night musician has been performing with the band, “Banthafodder” for one year, and they plan on preforming at every other Open Mic Night this year, as well as potentially preforming at the Talent Show and/or Craft Local. Fairbanks is the lead singer/ bass guitarist, Junior Caiden Hernandez is lead guitarist, Junior Josh Strydom is the drummer, and Fairbanks’ father, and teacher at Central, Mr. Fairbanks is the backup singer/ guitarist. At the first Open Mic night, Banthafodder preformed several songs that engaged the audience and was an enormous success. Reflecting on the Open Mic night experience, Fairbanks expresses, “We work hard, and it is just a fun time. We like preforming in front of other people; it is more fun to do it in front of a big crowd, so I encourage people to come.” As Fairbanks testified, Open Mic Night is a wonderful way for students to get engaged with the arts by preforming or selling art, as well supporting those who do.

This year’s Open Mic Night was an enormous success, and Central looks forward for the next two, later this year. The Art and Music Department encourages students to take part in any way they can, as it is an adequate way to share talents and gifts with the Central community.