Hot cups of coffee, pastries, music, and poetry. What sounds more welcoming than that?
This past week, in the Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation here at MCLA, there was a lively celebration of poets and musicians from all across the MCLA student community. The event was organized by Spires, the campus’s literary magazine, giving a platform to students for their creative voices to be heard and appreciated.
Writers of all kinds gathered up their courage and performed their crafted pieces to an extremely engaged and supportive audience.
The evening featured not only original readings, but performances that pushed the boundaries of expression by experimenting with multiple mediums. Poets and musicians collaborated, blending their talents to create a new hybrid of artistic expression. The unique collaborations stunned spectators, who were amazed by how effortlessly musicians molded their sounds to complement various poets’ works.
The atmosphere was both breathtaking and purposeful, adding an extra layer of depth to the prose. The fusion of spoken word with live music created a captivating energy in the room.
Mannie McBride, the Chief Editor of Spires, says their experience with the organization has helped them grow both as a writer and as a person.
“Spires has helped me to feel confident in telling people the opinions I have without worry of repercussions,” they reflected.
This sense of creative freedom and personal empowerment is what Spires strives to offer every student. McBride hopes to continue organizing open mic nights such as this one, providing a safe space for students who have something to say. Currently a senior with graduation on the horizon in the spring, McBride is hopeful that their legacy will live on. “I hope once I’m gone, the organization will continue to take writers under its wing, helping them prosper and grow in an environment of no judgment”.
The event was more than an outlet for poetry and music; it was an environment where conversation flowed freely. Intermission provided a perfect opportunity for attendees to mingle and chat, sharing their thoughts and experiences while various musicians performed in the background.
Creativity sparked more creativity, and artists bonded over their shared passions. A notebook was open for people to sign up throughout the evening, encouraging everyone to share their work. Among the poets, Del’or Ehade took to the mic to read some of his pieces, inspired by various pieces of music that he loved and felt a personal connection with.
In addition to Spires, other campus organizations came out in support of the event. Notably, members from the Poetry Collective and The Fellowship of the Pen were in attendance, a cross-pollination of clubs on campus.
Professor Dr. Zach Finch, director of the English Department at MCLA, was a key supporter of the event, helping to promote this celebration of collective artistry. McBride expressed their gratitude toward Dr. Finch, stating, “I am so very thankful to Dr. Zach Finch for approaching me all those years ago and being nothing but encouraging toward my development as a poet and artist.”
The written word, as an art form, has always had a special place at MCLA. This event highlighted it even further, by showcasing a wide array of genres and topics. From political pieces to comedic, emotional, and personal reflections, the diversity of voices created a powerful array of perspectives. Each piece, no matter its subject, shared a common thread: its significance.
Listening to these unique voices, many of whom were sharing for the first time, built connections between performers and audience members, bridging the gap between strangers.
As the final poet finished their performance, it was clear that this open mic night had done more than provide entertainment—it had fostered a community of creative minds and acceptance. By the end of the night, it felt as though a new, deeper understanding had been formed between everyone in the room.
Art, after all, has a special way of breaking down barriers and bringing people together, and the Spires open mic succeeded in doing just that.
For those interested in joining Spires or submitting their work for the magazine’s next publication, submissions are being accepted until midnight on October 31st. Digital art, prose, short stories, poems, and even iCloud music are all welcome and can be sent to [email protected] for consideration.
