Upcoming 'Open Mic Night' allows students to showcase talent, give back
In an effort to encourage activism and recognize talent, the Celani and Fabiano Residence Halls are hosting “Open Mic Night” on Wednesday.
Kicking off at 9 p.m. in the Fabiano/Emmons/Woldt Lobby, Central Michigan University students will perform to raise money for local nonprofit organizations.
“It is a great way for students to think about their community and organizations that they are passionate about,” said Eric Ostrowski, Residence Hall Assembly president and Northville senior. “Also, (it is a way) to raise awareness for the work that the nonprofit organizations are doing.”
Co-coordinating the event is Stephanie Pocsi, a Grant senior and Fabiano residential assistant, and Taylor Gehrcke, a Grand Rapids junior and Celani multicultural advisor.
Gehrcke and Pocsi said in previous years, they would pick one organization for the philanthropy effort. This year, every performer is asked to choose an organization, while audience members donate money to the performer they like most.
The donations will be allocated among the first, second and third place winners, and go to the nonprofit organizations the performers choose.
“Essentially, we want to encourage our performers to recognize their activism and give back to their community that they are passionate about,” Pocsi said. “People are more likely to perform if they are passionate about what they are performing about. We want people to know that they have a power to cause change, whether it’s big or small.”
Food will be provided by local Mount Pleasant business catering, including Pixie Restaurant’s burgers, Coney dogs, apple pie and more.
Any CMU student can perform as long as they represent a nonprofit organization and can show off a talent.
“Our passion is social justice, to put on a program that entertains and educates,” Gehrcke said. “You can see people be passion driven and be an active citizen.”
If interested, email celanifabiano@gmail.com, and register by Tuesday.
