Writers and poets gather to read and share
The Speakeasy's open mic brings student and local performers to Kelly Writers House.
The Daily Pennsylvanian
April 11, 2001
A young woman perches on a black stool, lit only by a string of lights on the ground and candlelight from wicks held by audience members. She pours out her deepest emotions to those sitting on the ground and passersby willing to stop and listen.
This was the scene last Wednesday night, as the first of 15 readers recited her original work at the Kelly Writers House third annual outdoor Speakeasy.
At "Speakeasies," which are student-run open-mic performances at the Kelly Writers House, participants present poetry, short stories, rap and slam poetry -- poetry done in a rap style. Occasionally, some even perform dramatic works or pieces of music.
"Usually we have 15 to 20 people, and they're comprised of not just Penn students -- it's mainly not Penn students -- [but] people from... all over the city," said College sophomore An Lam, who is one of the five Speakeasy staff members.
Last week's event lured about 30 people to the College Green.
Speakeasies, first held in 1997, began in the basement of Chats while the Kelly Writers House underwent renovations. Since then, the Writers House has held the forums every other Wednesday night, with one big annual outdoor Speakeasy in the spring.
"Basically, it's a way to get both Penn students and people in the Philadelphia area [to the Writers House]," said College senior Tahneer Oksman, one of the originators of the Speakeasy.
"It gets a lot of people from... downtown," added College senior Aaron Couch, another one of the founders. "It's just a good way of getting people together."
The two seniors have witnessed many unusual Speakeasy performances in the past three and a half years, including one aspiring poet who used magnetic words to display a poem on a toaster. The pair also told of one eccentric woman who presented a Barbie doll in a wheelchair and sang "Lola" in front of the audience several times.
While some preferred simply to observe, 15 bold participants stepped up into the spotlight, sharing various works of poetry.
Most presented original pieces.
In the middle of the show, a staff member approached the microphone and invited those watching from Locust Walk to join the group on the green.
"We expect people to just walk by and see and then, if they want, to perform... That's the whole purpose of us being out here," Lam said.
Speakeasies bring out even the shy artist with their informal setting -- groups of friends sit together, people talk between readings and audience members applaud for everyone.
One reader shared what she called "stay-away" poems, works filled with anger. She described the writing process as "an exploration of some deep emotions."
Another reader shared a poem titled "Popularity," which deplored conformists.
And one spontaneous woman read a poem that she had just completed while listening to the readers before her.
Word of mouth and advertisements in local newspapers attracted acts from the Philadelphia community.
Earlier Speakeasies have led to the production of two anthologies, which are available both online and at the Kelly Writers House.
After Speakeasy staff collect enough submissions, "we figure out what stuff we want to publish," said staff member and College sophomore Adrienne Mishkin, adding that the staff has plans to release a third anthology next semester.
Speakeasies are "for people to come and share their art," Lam said. "They can come to speak easy and express themselves."