Poetry and a Beverage Provides Fun For Students

Eli Wilson stepped slowly, cautiously, toe by toe, toward the mic.

“I would like to perform a song,” he said.

Wilson was one of 25 students who participated in Utah State University’s Poetry and a Beverage last week. The event has been around for five years and is becoming more crowded every week.

Students interested in reciting poetry or performing music are given the opportunity to do so in a large setting at the Taggart Student Center.

Starting out as a poetry club, it was not attended by many members and soon became an open-mic-night event for all students.

Although most students read poetry, they are welcome to perform whatever they would like. In the past there have been several interesting performances such as interpretative dancing and reading of the alphabet.

Poetry and a Beverage offer free beverages for performers and anyone in attendance at the event. Drinks are usually sodas, juices or hot beverages.

Students who choose to perform are limited to either two songs or two poems in order to give those who would like time to do so.

Kyle Heywood, an audience member, said he had never attended anything like Poetry and a Beverage.

“I was expecting people to read poetry but the majority of people played the guitar,” said Heywood. “I thought it was interesting because if you liked what you heard you were able to go up and talk to the performer after.”

Poetry and a Beverage is provided by the Associated Students of Utah State University arts and lectures chair, Marie Squires. She makes sure that everyone is given the opportunity to perform and publicizes the events several weeks in advance so that students are aware. She also makes sure that beverages are provided for everyone.

Eli Wilson, band member of “Wood” enjoys performing at Poetry and a Beverage regularly. Wilson said he is able to get his music to all types of people by performing at these events.

“We caught a lot of people’s attention with our new sound,” said Wilson. “Sometimes from a music sound point it can be risky because you are at the mercy of the guy behind the mix board, and you might not be able to hear your music.”

Poetry and a Beverage audience member, Ali Davis said she found the event very interesting

 “My friends that are in a band actually performed. It was extremely crowded and it was a lot of fun,” Davis said. “I was able to see people at the performance that I usually do not get to see on campus so that was fun.”

The next event will be Jan. 21, 2012, 9-11 p.m. Performance time is a first come first served policy. In past events, not all students were able to perform due to lack of time. For the next Poetry and a Beverage, Squires is allowing students to come at 8:30 p.m. to put their name on the list so they are guaranteed a chance to perform and a hot chocolate bar will be provided at the next event. Students will be able to choose from a variety of different flavors and toppings

Edited by:

D. Nicholas