In downtown Warrensburg, on the corner of Holden and Pine streets sits Java Junction, a cozy café. While the main attraction is the roasted coffee, every first Thursday at 6 p.m. the focus is turned elsewhere. This diversion comes from the Old Drum Open Mic, a night filled with expressions of the often overlooked culture of Warrensburg.

Mark Pearce, UCM alumnus and promoter of the Old Drum Open Mic, said the open mic began at the former Old Drum Art Gallery at the center of Holden and Colton streets about five years ago in an attempt to encourage artistically gifted locals. As the spectacle grew and space became limited, the event was relocated to Java Junction, which has been the home of the open mic ever since.

To get a different perspective of the event, I signed up for Sept. 6 date of the open mic as a comedian. Finding enough material to fill the 15-minute time slot was no easy task, but the process was an enjoyable one nonetheless.  After practicing until I could recall the bit better than my own middle name, I felt confident enough to face a crowd.

When I arrived at Java Junction on the night of the open mic, which happened to be on the night of the home opener for Mules football, I encountered a buzzing atmosphere maintained by dozens of members of the cultural community of central Missouri. This turnout, even in contention with such an event as the football game, proved to be impressive and displayed the resilience of the several artists in attendance.

The quaint coffee shop that during the day acted as host for people looking for a caffeine kick with a side of a friendly conversation was transformed into a makeshift theater complete with audio equipment and folding metal chairs in addition to the normal seating options.

The attendees, some acquainted and others not, mingled and discussed their material in a supportive manner unique to the experiences of the presenters. This scene seemed like a family reunion made up of relatives, not of blood, but of creative abilities. Those who were familiar with each other discussed past material while newcomers, like myself, received support and some much-appreciated pointers from the more seasoned presenters.  As the start time drew closer, people with acts began to pour over their routine notes and the members of the audience grabbed enough refreshments to last them through the program.

The variety of performances kept onlookers engaged for the entirety of the two-hour show. From poetry readings to singing excerpts from Broadway shows to a scathing essay on the state of respecting the beliefs of others, every presentation had a different flavor to it.

The caliber of the other performances would normally have intimidated me, but the supportive way in which the crowd had been reacting to the performances gave me a sense of ease. When it was my turn to go to the stage, I felt relaxed and went smoothly into my routine. While my antics were less than professional, I never second-guessed my decision to sign up to stand in front of everybody and joke around.

After my 15 minutes, I was met with a round of applause and a sea of genuine smiles and I made my way back to my seat to enjoy the last few performances.

Old Drum Old Mic is a decidedly unique program and is a haven for performance development within Warrensburg and surrounding communities. The event serves as a great place for artists to display their talents in an environment that serves to nurture a diverse number of acts while giving presenters a real audience experience.

If you are interested in participating in the next Old Drum Open Mic on Oct. 4, contact Mark Pearce at [email protected].