What do you get when you mix together student talent and music lovers with a pinch of activism and a dash of refreshments? This Tuesday's V-day and BQSA sponsored Coffee House at MacMillan emceed by Emily Sheffield '06. A bouquet of flowers, a "vagina" donation box, and a table of hot beverages and sweets welcomed guests to this relaxed evening of music and monologues. This "Headliners" event played to a full house; Sheffield told the audience, "It warms my heart to see so many of you here."
Sheffield said, "I think open mic events tend to blend together. So I asked a handful of really talented singer/songwriters I knew on campus to perform longer sets. I hope the coffee house motivated some in the audience who'd never seen the Monologues or weren't planning on going to check it out. It's such an amazing production with a huge message."
Eric Davich '06 opened the show with a Bob Dylan number, "All I Really Want To Do." He played four songs, though his newest untitled song stood out. A romantic ballad, Davich crooned, "There's no one else to turn my thoughts to when I think of who I want to kiss."
Next was Matt Lajoie '05, who started his set with Eva Cassidy's "Songbird" accompanied by Sheffield and Samantha Farrell '05. Sheffield and Farrell's voices meshed perfectly and created a soft, light sound that did the song justice. Lajoie mixed up the music scene at the coffeehouse with moodier, heavier songs, including the ghostly "I Want to Be Cold" by The Microphones with Sean Turley '05 and Adrienne Heflich '05.
Crowd pleasers Farrell and Pete Durning '05 played next with a collection of all new songs. They played a total of five songs. One of the highlights was "She Will Rise," a moving, well-constructed piece with powerful lyrics and even a little scatting. Farrell sang, "She will rise again from the ashes we call home...She will love again in a world that's grown so cold." They also performed the lively, upbeat "Let Go." The pair ended on a good note with a song encompassing amazing lyrics, a nice lilting cadence, and a spectacular duet, singing, "Raise your cup to the wanderlust."
Heather Emmons '05 played a short but sweet set despite her doubts about her voice. She began with "Bad Fish" by Sublime and her crystal-clear voice and stage demeanor were impressive. She also sang an untitled piece which she penned herself. Although it was not yet finished the lyrics were striking; Emmons sang, "Dream of all the times we've spent. It's hard to believe the night has come and dreams are forming in my soul." She finished with what she called the "girl version" of "Together on the Sand" with Katie Walker '05.
In honor of the Vagina Monologues performance this weekend, Kathleen Callaghy '07 and Elena Roseo '05 read. Callaghy did an expressive and riveting reading of "Grand Canyon," which will be opening the show this weekend. Roseo performed "My Short Skirt" with passion and humor when necessary.
Margaret "Munny" Munford '07 and Jonah Gabry '07 closed out the coffeehouse with a full set. Although both complained of colds, they put on a good show, including a new song into their repertoire. Some of the highlights were "Come Back to Me," of which Munford and Gabry said, "If anyone has a better name for any of these songs we'd really appreciate it," and "Just Another Lonely Insomniac Friend" (or "JALIF" as Munford pointed out). The new piece, which was untitled, described yearning for a lost love?"There was something in the air I couldn't name and not explain except for you." The imagery was both beautiful and chilling.