The Quadrangle

Issue date: 2/23/05 Section: Features

Manhattan Magazine's first coffeehouse of the new semester was met with a larger crowd then usual, and one of the most diverse line up of performers seen in recent times.

As the coffeehouse has expanded, so has the range of acts seen. A large number of the musical performers are actually freshmen, giving hope that the coffeehouse will keep expanding over the next few years.

Coffeehouse manager Wendy McNew once again turned the Jasper lounge into an underground art club. With soft, colorful lighting, and a room re-arrangement, the large, sometimes bleak and isolating room became an intimate, casual and comfortable place for people to simply express themselves through poetry, or music.

To say that the acts were diverse may be an understatement. Some people chose to perform others' work, and some read or played their own pieces. Some acts were serious, and some, well, weren't. Musical Covers included "Fields of Athenry" by the Dropkick Murphy's, "America" by Simon and Garfunkel, "Summertime," by Sublime, and "3x5" by John Mayer. Those were the more serious covers. The coffeehouse was not without comedy, as a performance of Kelly Clarkson's "Since You've Been Gone" by Sophmore Decklan Golden was met with many laughs.

The original musical performances ranged from serious to comedic as well. CMSV Junior Kerry Marino, who also performed "Summertime" left the audience in awe as she performed an original piece. MC Sophomores Mike Macagnone and David Flay, and Senior Frank Duffy all performed heartfelt and personal pieces. The comedic originals included one student, wearing a long blonde wig who went by both Casey or Corey performed three songs; one about a duck, one about an Albany based newscaster, and one about a cat. Also, a performance of an original song inspired by an episode of "Boy Meets World," with references to MC life called "Rule No 15."

Not to forget the "roots" of the coffeehouse: poetry. There were original pieces about a student's relationship with his father, an inside view of Africa, the origins of hip-hop, to name a few. There were also readings of pieces by Ani Difranco and Dorothy Parker.

Manhattan Magazine Editor in Chief Elysa Fein said of Wednesday night's event, "It's really great that so many different people who wouldn't normally hang out, can be so open and accepting of each others words and music. It's a really important thing to have here." Coffeehouse Manager Wendy McNew hopes that the next coffeehouse will be before Spring Break. If anyone has any questions about the coffeehouse, how its' run, etc. you can call Coffeehouse staff member Brigid Martin at extension 6359, or at bmartin.student@manhattan.edu.

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