The first Friday night of every month the arts take center stage at The Gnu's Room, where aspiring writers, musicians, poets and other artists can show their stuff at Expressions Cafe.
"We finally are starting to grow an audience a little bit," said Tina Tatum, Gnu's Room owner and manager. "There needs to be a place where people can try out material and get some feedback."
January's open mic night featured five artists, and Tatum said that's about the average.
"There have been times when nobody comes and I've thought, 'Well, maybe we should just give this up,' but I just kept doing it, and now we're starting to get some regulars that come," Tatum said.
One of those regulars is Auburn resident Jo Heath, who prepares a piece of flash fiction--1,000 words or less--each month.
"The first time I read, I was absolutely a bundle of nerves," Heath said. "You can read what you've written, whether it's a song or a story, and everyone is at the very least polite, and lots of times they actually express the fact that they enjoy it. It's a wonderful place to try out."
Another regular performer was Emily Schott, who played both original and covers on guitar.
Schott praised the "vibe" of the event.
"I like how it's small and intimate," said Schott, who was in front of the Gnu's Room audience for the fourth time. "It's always a good audience, and I just like getting my stuff out there."
Tatum said Expressions Cafe has been going on at The Gnu's Room for the last four years.
The monthly event is not only for musicians and writers. People can read or act out poetry. It is also a platform for people to show artistic creations and explain to fellow artists their personal creative process.
"This is an outlet for people to try out their stuff, to see if people like it or not," Heath said. "It's a wonderful opportunity for a lot of people."
James Masters, freshman in horticulture, was at The Gnu's Room for the second time to play the baritone ukulele he received as a Christmas gift.
"I like how it's local," Masters said. "People here come pretty often. I like how it's really comfortable."
Masters said he will be coming back to perform again.
"It's really interesting to hear people's stories," he said. "Everyone has something unique to say."
The next Expressions Cafe will be Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. Admission is free.
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