Against all odds, the intrepid Yellow Sofa Open Mic has continued the Open Mic as an travelling cultural institution even as the cafe that it began in is no more.
On Saturday April 21st from 6:30-10:00 p.m. with the actual, iconic Yellow Sofa sitting to the right of the stage, a talented lineup of that included musicians, songwriters, poetry, and standup comedy performed for the audience that gathered at the Frances Crowe Community Room at 60 Masonic St., Northampton. Once on the hour, the house band invited all assembled to jam and sing cover songs picked by different members of the audience in a kind of karaoke with instruments.
Retaining elements of its successful formula such as holding a random drawing for when
performers would be on stage, 10 minute (or 2 song) sets, and spontaneous collaboration, the Travelling version of the Yellow Sofa Open Mic also featured projection backdrops with information about the performers on a screen behind them, and even video clips such as the tribute to the music legend Levon Helm that opened the session.
Poet Ruth Hutton reading
"Everything is going really well. . ." wrote Rob Douglas, one of the evening's hosts, on the video screen, and what began as a self-deprecating comedic mantra motif for people trying something new in an unfamiliar environment eventually became an accurate reflection of the evening:
"Actually, yeah," said Michael Silverstone of the organizing committee. "The performances were great, and inspiring as we have come to expect. That's a given. But there is something surprising about going beyond the original space. The setting was more concert-like than the cafe had been. In a way we kept expecting random steam eruptions from the capaccino machine, the sudden deafening grind of the blender or the high pressure toilet flush and hand dryer from the bathroom door opening at Stage Left that used to characterize performances at the original Sofa. By the end of the night, we were surprised that we were nostalgic for them on some level, but I have to say, what we got instead was a room with exquisite acoustics and even more supportive attention from the audience. It's exciting. This is the start of something great, and I think everyone senses the possibilities."
GROWING INTEREST VALLEY-WIDE
This radio feature by reporter Nancy Cohen on the Amherst NPR affiliate of WFCR-FM aired 4/27/12:
http://nepr.net/news/northampton-mass-musicians-join-together-after-losing-venue
On April 19th, the Hampshire Gazette ran a photo an a mini feature on the Sofa in the arts section.
http://whmp.com/pages/8875192.php
On April 27th, WFCR will have a radio feature about the reupholstering of the Travelling Yellow Sofa Open Mic (in Diaspora). See this space for details, or after 4/27 check www.wfcr.org.
On May 4th, representatives of the Travelling Yellow Sofa Open Mic (in Diaspora) Executive Steering Committee will appear on the 9:00 Show with Bill Newman on WHMP-AM:
http://whmp.com
VIDEO and MORE PHOTOS
Click the link below to view:
http://bit.ly/IJ7xJr
The 9:00 all-in-full room jam, "I Won't Back Down" featuring Felix Harvey on lead guitar and vocals, David Waldofgel on Rhythm, Chris Goudreau on guitar and vocals, Chris Griffin on guitar and vocals, Michael Silverstone on keyboard and vocals, Robert Wilfong on guitar, Rob Douglas on guitar and vocals, and Diane Davis on bass.
Lots of performers can build a special bond with the audience on stage. Not only did Felix Harvey do that and but he also designed and built the three-part portable platform stage itself.
Everything is going really well says Rob, who ought to know because he helped make it so.
"We Won't Back Down," sings the Travelling Yellow Sofa House band.
Singer/Songwriter Jackie D'Agostino perforing.
Breathless Charm featuring Danielle and Diane
exquisite jazz standards featuring vocals with fretless bass and guitar
Next sessions:
Saturday, April 28, Saturday May 5, Saturday May 12th
@ 6:30
We'd love to see you there.
Til then,
do what you do when you do what you want to do,
The Travelling Yellow Sofa (in Diaspora) Executive Steering Committee
