The first Open Mic Night on island ignited entertainment, laughter, and fun that resulted in a don’t-miss-out and must-come-again experience. The local NGO Jo-Jikum and Assumption’s Kuumba sponsored the event that included poets, rhymers, rappers, singers, storytellers, tongue twisting and beat box noise makers at the College of the Marshall Islands Ettonaak two Fridays ago.
“I’m a tough guy. I’m quite shy. I graduated from Jaluit High. I go to CMI. And I represent RMI.” These were some lines from rhymer Calvin Alfonso who was first on the mic. “I’ve always been a shy person but not anymore after that mic night,” Alfonso told the Journal.
The Kava Club band’s raw talent on ukulele and guitars glued the small crowd in their chairs with its musical magic. Not to mention the band’s one-of-a-kind drum-like instrument that produced heart-pumping beats while the drummer sits on it.
From dancing in chairs, to LOL (laugh out loud) jokes on local fiction character Laakeke, to shedding tears to heartfelt life experiences portrayed in poems. The night had a sweet taste of various performances as well as valentine chocolate giveaway trivia treats that made things sweeter.
Read more and see more photos of performers in the February 26, 2016 edition of the Marshall Islands Journal.