At Ease Article

Date Published: August 13, 2007
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Open Mic catches on in Sumter, held at 3 venues

By LEAH SMITH
At-Ease Staff Writer
Lsmith@theitem.com

Bonnie Johnson is a poet. She's always enjoyed writing poetry, and while living in Pennsylvania, she started to share it.

"My first book of poetry, "Where Willows Weep," was published by Ye Olde Font Shoppe in Waterbury, Conn. in 1996," she said. "When the book came out, I was the featured poet."

Then there were also the open mic nights in which Johnson enjoyed participating, both in Pennsylvania and in Connecticut.

One night while at Drews Blues Cafe, Johnson, her husband, Keith, and their friend Cynthia Harris were talking about poetry. As Johnson bemoaned the fact that she'd been unsuccessful at finding such an outlet in Sumter, Harris said, "Why don't you start your own?"

The group called over Drews Blues owner Marcus Huggins and asked if they could have such a event at his cafe once a month. Huggins was all for it, and Sumter's Open Mic Poetry Night was born.

That was in June 2006. Since that time, Open Mic's popularity has expanded and two more venues for the artistic outlets of original artists have been birthed.

"I left there in March 2007 and have been doing the Open Mic at the Spectrum Community/Senior Center since then," Johnson said.

Johnson, concerned about one of the venues becoming an obviously free one, spoke in March with Kim Dault at the community center (who just so happens to be Huggins' sister) and Dault told Johnson she was welcome to hold Open Mic there.

Johnson eventually changed the name of that event to "Expressions in Verse and Music," a title she believed would be more inclusive and draw a greater variety of artists.

"Open Mic at DBC (Drews Blues Cafe) is now being hosted by one of my poets, Colette Jones," Johnson said. "She took over two months ago and we support each other's forums."

Johnson said groups who turn out for the events can be as small as three or as large as 15. People come to read their poetry, sing their songs, play guitar or piano.

"We encourage original poetry and songs," said Johnson. "It's family-oriented and we keep it clean."

Johnson said she's seen all ages attend: high school as well as college students, people in their 30s, 40s, 50s, students, teachers...

"We'd like to encourage people who'd just like to listen to come too - poets and guests," said Johnson.

(You will probably recognize the pictures in the article in the paper from the many I took at the open mics. I sent in about 20 pics and let them choose the ones they wanted to use.)