On a typical Thursday night in Maryville, you will find Northwest students and the locals slumming around Main Street after a few drinks at any of the local bars. These nights are filled with laughter and reflections of the hardships of the day which lead them to the bars in the first place.
Walking down the streets, they can hear Lynard Skynard's "Sweet Home Alabama" blaring through the stereo of Carson's, along with the fifth replay of that day's edition of SportsCenter on the television. Right next door however, they will hear a different kind of scene.
At Java Joint, one won't find any Skynard or Sportscenter, but they will hear a stirring rendition of Bob Dylan's "The Time's They Are a-Changin'" sung by Northwest student Mike Martin.
"We were in dire need of something like this," Martin said while on a break from his set, taking puffs from a cigarette. "It's important to me to have a place like this."
Martin is referring to the open mic nights which are held every week at the brand new Java Joint. He has been the showcase; playing covers of Damien Rice, Bright Eyes and Stevie Ray Vaughn among others on his acoustic guitar.
There have only been two Open Mic Nights so far, but Martin feels the event is steadily picking up. The first two events were held on Wednesdays, but will now be moved to Thursdays in hopes of bringing in the Thursday party crowd.
Martin said his friend from one of his art classes suggested that he perform every week to help bring people in. Martin laughed and said that he's had to teach himself to sing because he's more of a guitarist. However, he thinks Maryville needs at least one place like Java Joint on Thursday nights.
"If you're into bars, we have bars. If you're a homebody, you can stay home," Martin said as he wiped his brow of sweat. "Before this, we didn't have any place for performers to come."
Martin said he likes to play covers at these events. He claims that most of his original music is blues-based, and would rather play softer covers at the shop. Laughing, he said he's not into writing "cutesy love songs" but will certainly perform others' songs.
The event was put together by Maryville resident Honali Guest. She is another feature performer on these nights with her poetry. With her bright red-dyed hair and dark purple sweater, she fits the role of a poet.
She said she started the Open Mic Nights in the beginning so she could have a place to read her poetry. She jokes that it's depressing poetry, but she feels expression is important.
"I just want to give artists a chance to express themselves," Guest said with a steady calmness in her voice. "We want performers whether they are singers or just monologue readers. We're open to all expressions of art."
All expressions of art is a very accurate description. Guest has a game she plays with people attending this event. She has everyone write their name down on a piece of paper for a drawing. The prize they are drawing for? A chance to express themselves in front of the entire shop.
If their name is called, they have to select something from Guest's "secret box" and recite it. This box includes a wide selection of writings that range from The Bible to random brochures.
One of the people chosen was a junior at Northwest named Sarah Rowan. A literature major, Rowan chose a piece called "Not in Vain" by Emily Dickinson; one of Roman's favorite writers.
"This is my first time here, but I would definitely come back," Rowan said as she sipped her coffee looking at the painted walls of the shop. "It's really different than anything else Maryville has to offer."
Whether the Open Mic Nights will become a Thursday tradition along with the popular party nights in Maryville remains to be seen. Guest has high hopes and won't give up on her goal of providing a platform for expression of art.
"The more we get people to participate, the more fun it is for everyone else," Guest said. "People may be surprised at themselves as to how good they really are."
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