Rule 1: Respect the microphone, respect the poet and respect the poem. Rule 2: Turn off your cell phone. Rule 3: Please limit your time at the microphone to two poems or two minutes, so everyone has a chance to participate.
These are the rules for “Another Type of Groove,” an open-mic night put on by the Multicultural Center to create a space for dialogue and the exchange of ideas through poetry within the Cal Poly community. They are aimed at creating an atmosphere of respect and comfort.
“The idea of the community behind it really interested me,” said Adam Serafin, the event coordinator and business senior.
“Another Type of Groove” was created five years ago by Mark Fabionar, former director of the Multicultural Center on campus, with the mission of building an authentic sense of community and generating knowledge about the uniqueness of individuals and different cultures. The event is funded by Student Life and Leadership.
“There was an incredible need for this on campus,” said Tylor Middlestadt, the emcee for this month’s open-mic, and an architectural engineering senior.
“Another Type of Groove” is held on campus at 7:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. It consists of open-mic poetry and a different featured poet each month.
Cal Poly’s open-mic poetry event has attracted the nation’s top poets including World and National Slam champions, countless regional and local Slam champions and HBO Def Poets.
“We have had the best poets in the world come here,” Middlestadt said.
The featured poet in November was Joe Hernández-Kolski, also known as “Pocho Joe.” He is a spoken word poet who has performed on HBO’s “Russell Simmons Presents Def Jam Poetry,” and has developed and toured for his own hip-hop solo show, “You Wanna Piece of Me?”
He currently hosts “Downbeat 720,” an open-mic for high school youth, sponsored by the city of Santa Monica.
“He had a theatrical quality that I really enjoyed, it was beautiful,” said Chris Perry, an attendee and history freshman.
Hernández-Kolski offered attendees and aspiring poets some inspiration and advice.
“Do not make any disclaimer, do not explain your poem. Stand behind your piece. With poetry, you have to be able to reveal yourself,” Hernández-Kolski said.
He has performed at many different colleges across the United States, but says that he loved the atmosphere and community at “Another Type of Groove” the most.
“This is one of the best vibes I’ve had,” he said.
Creating a comfortable atmosphere for students to share their poetry and staying true to their catch phrase, “Open mics. Open minds,” is a priority of the coordinators for “Another Type of Groove.” The venue has attracted approximately 100 students each month, and even some faculty, staff and community members.
Perry, a first time open-mic poet at November’s event, believes it’s very important for students, especially freshmen living in the dorms, to have a place like “Another Type of Groove” to express creativity and have open dialogue.
“It was so comfortable, warm and friendly. This is the only outlet for students and it’s something that should never die. I’m definitely coming back,” Perry said.
“Another Type of Groove” will hold their next open-mic night tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.