Check out “Open Mic Night” in Wayne

By Jesse Gaunce
October 19, 2010

Every Monday night, the Gryphon Café plays host to Chris Wall’s “Open Mic Night,” from 8-10 p.m. The café is located in Wayne, Pa. next to the Anthony Wayne movie theater. Since the cafe only holds approximately 75 people, it fills up pretty quickly.

Wall was not available for the obscure yet highly entertaining performances that occurred on Monday, Oct. 17. His friend Bill O’Meara, who is the lead singer of his own band, the “Bill O’Meara Band,” was the replacement host and was surprised at the large turn-out.

O’Meara started off the show playing some songs of his own. His performances, along with a good majority of the others throughout the night were well received.

“A lot of times this place is dead,” O’Meara said. “Tonight was a good night. It seemed like everyone really enjoyed themselves and we had some really strong performances.”

While every performance brought a unique sense of style to the audience, one performance in particular really stole the show.

Pianist Steven Singer had the crowd pumped up from start to finish. He started off with one of his own songs which he did not give a title for. His next song, or songs, had everyone clapping and singing along.

“Usually somewhere in my performances I ask people for some requests,” the singer said to the packed house. “What does everyone want to hear?”

Everyone started shouting songs at him left and right and he literally played every single song that was thrown his way. Most notably, he played parts of “Helter Skelter” by the Beatles, “Fat-Bottomed Girls,” by Queen, “Sweet Home Alabama,” by Lynrd Skynrd and “Seven Nation Army,” by the White Stripes. He even threw everyone a curve ball by playing the Super Mario Brothers theme song.

His covers of all these songs and more even had people like Doug Karson, who performed earlier in the night, square dancing.

How’s that for a night out in a small café?

“This place is so inviting and relaxing,” said Karson. “I play here all the time because the people are so nice and actually know a lot about music so it’s much more appreciated.”

“Music is not where the money is right now because of the economic depression,” Karson said. “Artists of any kind, not just musicians, aren’t making as much money, if any at all these days because of illegal downloading and lack of CD sales. Most people today make their money by selling out concerts and advertising in other ways. Art takes time and persistence and I feel like that’s being brought down because of what we’re going through.”

One Cabrini student in particular actually shares some of the same opinion.

“This whole night was so cool,” John Crouse, sophomore business administration major said. “I wish Cabrini did more things for music like this. There would be more for people do and guys who want to display their talents can get up there and do what these guys did tonight.”

Anyone can come down and perform. O’Meara says the best time to come sign up is around 4 p.m. as slots fill up quite quick.

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Jesse Gaunce

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