Arts Alive Has Come Alive in Clearwater

Arts Alive Has Come Alive in Clearwater

Grand opening of "Arts Alive Open Mic Night" was a huge success.

Clearwater, FL July 7, 2005 -- Your name is called. You take the stage. All smiling eyes are set on you. You take a deep breath, and begin your road to validation. This is the mission of Arts Alive.

On June 18th, grand opening night in Clearwater, it began as it always had. Elyse Van Breemen, creator/coordinator of "Arts Alive Open Mic Night," greeted a small group of arrivals, mostly regulars who frequented the year-old talent venue when it was located in Ybor City. She decided to move it to Clearwater, as most of the participants live in Clearwater. The host establishment is the Rabbit Hole an organic coffeehouse, tearoom, juice bar, smoothie shack, and internet caf all rolled into one. It's run by owner, Doc Shillington, a Naturopathy specialist who is equally adept in song.

Not long after, the quaint, muraled wonderland came alive with the scraping squeals of shuffling chairs and emergent chatter. The attendance had grown beyond the usual turnout. An empty chair became a treasure, if found. To passers-by peering in the front window, the sign on the front door would have read, "SRO"-Standing Room Only. In this, the promise of Arts Alive Open Mic Night was revealed.

Elyse walked to the microphone, and with her soft lyrical voice began emceeing the singularly most successful night for Arts Alive to date.

The show began with Lenny Sciacca, who sang songs along with one he wrote exclusively for Arts Alive. Among those that followed were poets of stellar light: Sioux Hart, Renata St. Lawrence, Wayne Williams, Kersey Williams, and Stazja Mc Fadyen. Also performing were singer/songwriters: Jim Mahon, and Folk-Punker, David Rosenfield, and Brook Magnanti presented a monologue from the play "Fantastiks" as El Gallo. Elyse played her cello, and Shillington sang and strummed a mean acoustic. The diverse show ranged from the hilarious antics of singer, "Wildman" Dave Kushin, to the moving rendition of "Tin Soldier," sung by Cathy Kao. It was a dedication to her brother Paul who is stationed in Iraq and due to come home this month. Her mother, in town on vacation, wept. "A Song of New York," not a song, was spoken beautifully by poet, Renee Duke. There was even an amazing demonstration of silk tie-dye by visual artist, Marlene Glickman. Did you know that you can get a purple dye from tickling a mussel

A last minute walk-in was especially inspiring. Todd Walton was reading the Weekly Planet at Starbucks. He came across an ad for the Arts Alive event, then realized that it was taking place only two doors away. He raced home, got his guitar, entered the Rabbit Hole, and blew the audience away with three songs, one of which was his own composition, "My Sunflower Girl."

In the end, Elyse smiled softly in the realization of her purpose. She had successfully offered a safe and supportive platform for artists seeking to showcase their works, and had proven that an event such as this naturally elicits and validates the artful spirit.

Singers, musicians, dancers, comics, poets, thespians, magicians, authors, and visual artists, are invited to participate. They will be given a chance to test their materials, hone their talents, or dust off their rusty genius in front of a live audience. There is no criticism-just lots of admiration.

Arts Alive Open Mic Night runs every 3rd Saturday of every month at The Rabbit Hole, 425 Cleveland Street-two doors toward the water from Starbucks, 8pm until whenever. Admission is free, and there's an array of 100% organic refreshments available. Anyone performing that night should come down as early as possible and sign the guest book at the door.

The next Arts Alive Open Mic Night is July 16, 2005, 8:00 pm @ the Rabbit Hole. Also featured will be a book signing with Debra Lynn Dadd, the "Queen of Green," and author of "HOME SAFE HOME." http://www.dld123.com

Copyright 2005 Arts Alive and Wordistry. Clearwater, Florida. All rights reserved.

Arts Alive Has Come Alive in Clearwater

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Arts Alive Has Come Alive in Clearwater

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