In Auburn, there are plenty of places people can go to have fun and be care free.
For those who just want to relax, there's the Gnu's Room.
The Gnu's Room on South Gay Street hosted its monthly Expressions Cafe, which featured special guest Doc Waller, Friday, Sept. 4.
Tina Tatum, co-owner and managing partner of the Gnu's Room, said the Expressions Cafe event is a monthly event occurring every first Friday.
"We have an open mic night once a month," Tatum said. "It's the first Friday of every month. We encourage local musicians, poets, writers, actors, any kind of performer to come and participate in that event."
Although the Gnu's Room holds its Expressions Cafe event every first Friday, this particular day was the only time Doc Waller could perform at the bookstore.
"Normally on the first Friday night of every month, we do have an open mic," Tatum said. "But, this was the only night he had available."
Tatum said Doc Waller has been a familiar face around the bookstore for two years.
"Well, actually, he found us about two years ago," Tatum said. "He had a performance called Love Langston. He tries to come here as often as he can."
Tatum explains Doc Waller's performance has a purpose behind it, which is aimed toward exposing people to art.
"The whole purpose of it is to promote the arts and all forms here in Lee County," Tatum said. "So he's really working on introducing people to different art forms."
Sara Lee Ann Barnett, a barista at the Gnu's Room, explained how Waller not only wanted to promote the arts, but he also wanted to promote his work.
"He's recording an open word CD," Barnett said. "He's also doing a book release."
According to Doc Waller's Web site, Waller has worked with a lot of companies over his career, including the Paul Taylor Dance Theater and the Boys and Girls Club.
Currently, he serves as the executive artistic director and founder of the Layman Group, a new arts organization based in the Lee County area. Tatum said the events held at the bookstore serve to expose local talent; therefore, most of the events are free.
"Almost everything we do here is free," Tatum said. "We want to expose people to all the local we have."
Josh Peterson, a biology graduate student, is a regular customer at the bookstore along with his family.
He thinks the community feel is a key aspect of the Gnu's Room.
"We come in three, four times a week," Peterson said. "It really is like a community atmosphere."
Barnett describes the bookstore as a place of love and serenity.
"During the day time, it's like walking into someone's living room," Barnett said. "There's nothing but love in this cafe at all time. It's kind of like one of those things you would never expect to see here. This place is full of loving people who care about each other."
Tatum said the Gnu's Room has been open for 15 years. The business began as a fax copying center.
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