The second floor lounge of Oak Hall resonated with laughter, music and applause last Thursday, Jan. 21 during the first Rivers Meeting coffeehouse held in two years.
The event began at 6 p.m. with student Katie Corning, who has a degree in music and is working on a nursing degree. Corning kicked-off the night by singing and playing guitar for a half hour while attendees trickled in.
Following the performance, several students read poetry or prose works and some borrowed Corning’s instrument to share their own musical skills as well.
Copies of last year’s Rivers Meeting anthology circulated as students read their own published pieces and some of graduated friends. There were pieces that some had brought along with them and others remembered off the top of their heads.The collection was enormously varied – covering both the humorous and the serious.
Chips, pop, and of course coffee were offered as refreshment as students laughed and applauded. The circled up armchairs and couches allowed for lounging and physical comfort. The food and furniture were just the start of the setting.
“It was a very congenial atmosphere for reading,” said Ivory Hilliard, a first-year graduate student who read her prose piece, "A Fantastic Tale," from last year’s publication.
Students came and went, the loose structure allowing for nearly all schedules. Jokes and friendly conversation punctuated the pauses between willing performers, keeping everyone comfortable mentally and eliminating any awkward pauses.
The variety of students was as impressive as the works presented. People from all walks of life attended in various groups from freshman to graduate students, writing majors to music majors, even math and computer sciences majors attended. Some converts even managed to slide into the group.
“I used to hate poetry,” said junior Matt Faris, an ironic thing to say because he read two of his own poems and even played a few songs on Corning’s guitar.
Rivers Meeting hopes to hold more of these events in the future.
“It was successful,” said Editor-in-Chief and senior Alyssa Hanson. Other members of Rivers Meeting seemed to agree.
The attendees approve as well. "It’s a great opportunity for people to share their work,” said Hillard.
From off-the-cuff to studied, the conversation and entertainment provided an evening of great enjoyment and easy sharing. The talent headed out the door when the event broke up, some even heading off to an open-mic night, but all with the feeling of an evening well-spent.
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