The Mayo Review hosted an “open mic night” event Thursday Feb. 19 at local bar, The Spot located on the square in downtown Commerce.
Students and the community alike were given the opportunity to step up to the microphone and share some of their original pieces or literary samples from other authors.
The Mayo Review is an annual collection of students’ works printed and bound into a magazine available every spring semester. Pamela Millar, editor of The Mayo Review was covering the job of emcee for the night.
“We are really glad about the numbers here tonight. It’s refreshing to see people come out for this event,” Millar said.
I’m not completely sure why they chose to hold the event at The Spot. It’s a bar. Not exactly the most embracing atmosphere for the
literary minds.
This was made evident by the comments coming from what were probably the bar’s regulars. Statements ranging from “who the hell is this?” and “what the hell are they doing?” could be heard from the back half of the venue around the bar stools.
The readings ranged from pieces about “Nerd Porn” to hitting possums with baseball bats. All in all, the crowd seemed to be enjoying the night of literary fun.
One reader began his writing with a rather lengthy disclaimer about how some people find his writing offensive and other find it to be well done.
After the discalimer, the reader continued on with a tale about he and his gay lover spending a revealing day in a meadow.
The words weren’t the only things flowing; the beer and smoke were also quite prevalent.
Which made it odd that a woman decided to bring her baby to the night’s happenings.
Among the readers was Dr. Kathryn Jacobs, Professor in the English Department.
“I want more and more of these events, we always have a fabulous time,” Jacobs said, “I am always wowed by the student’s talent.”
The upcoming issue of The Review is going to be released at a launch party planned to take place on April 9 in the new Sam Rayburn Student Center. The Review will begin taking submissions for the 2010 issue this summer.
“We at The Mayo Review hope to have a high attendance for the launch party and hope to encourage more and more students to submit for the next issue,” Millar said.
Danielle Brownberger will take over as editor for The Review for the 2010 issue.
Updates concerning The Mayo Review can be found mayoreview.blogspot.com.