Carriage House Café Hosts Spoken Word Night

Students and town members have recently been gathering Tuesday nights at the Carriage House Café in Shepherdstown to take part in Spoken Word Night.

The night starts somewhat differently each time. The deciding factor for each night's theme is the first performer and whether they wish to do improv, stand-up, perform music, or perform poetry. Last Tuesday, however, the night started out with a series of stand-up jokes from former Shepherd student and Spoken Word Organizer, Chris Collins.

Students and inhabitants alike gathered to make a leisurely and entertaining atmosphere for the performers and audience. Different individuals are given a chance to express themselves almost as if they were at an open mic. Whether customers are ordering rounds at the bar, or sitting down to enjoy a nice dinner during a series of performances, Spoken Word Night is undoubtedly an enjoyable event for anyone remotely involved.

Spoken Word Night is a relatively recent development according to Collins. "I started this about two weeks before last Thanksgiving," Collins said, "And you know, why not?"

This event is not only for entertainment, but for self-fulfillment as well. "If you're talking English students in particular," Collins said, "Spoken Word Night gives them the opportunity to share that story or poem they've been working on, and express themselves how they see fit."

Spoken Word Night is not only for English majors and minors, but for anyone who wishes to express their ideas and emotions in some shape or form. "It's a lot of fun to see people from everywhere express themselves," Collins said, "And I've never really been a huge fan of poetry, but I guess I've started to become one since I've started writing in my spare time."

Collins hopes to reach more students at Shepherd University and town members to make them aware of the opportunities at hand. While a few regulars show up most Tuesdays, he hopes to reach a broader audience.

"I always hope for more in future," Collins said towards the end of the night, "It's always good when more people show up because it shows that they care enough to express themselves."

If you're one of the students who believes that s/he has some ideas or opinions that need to be heard, consider stopping in next Tuesday night and reciting a favorite poem, joke or story.