The acts are the diamonds, DiCaronimo is the ring at the Openest Mic

Sitting in a space that manages to be simultaneously expansive and cozy, I had to ask the first question on my mind of Laura DiCaronimo and Tyler Hopp, founders of the Openest Mic series that’s been manifesting lately at the Smokestack Roasters in Lunenburg. Why “openest” mic to describe your open mic events? What makes them the open-est?

Tyler has plenty to add, but Laura is the talker. Hence, her role as charming emcee of the shows. “Well, I love open mics. I go to open mics like at least once or twice a week. And I see a lot of really cool stuff. But then, I hear about a lot of cool stuff elsewhere as well.” She went on to explain that through her experiences in various events of this type, it’s the unusual acts that really intrigue her. Things like hula hooping and other odd talents that might not have a home on a typical stage. She is radically welcoming of the cool and strange. Misfits are the norm. “The last thing I want to do is limit what people bring to the mic,” she says.

She sees herself as a ring in support of the diamonds on her stage. Her role is to present the artists in the best possible light, while at the same time not losing the traditionally casual nature of a mic. A lack of polish and refinement with almost no boundary to entry is how DiCaronimo describes what to expect at their events. Art as free speech, free speech as art. With Laura as curator of that which enters the spotlight to glisten and shine for 5 minutes at a time.

In talking with them, I realize that the added -est on the end of the word ‘open’ is essentially a mission statement in a suffix. As the open-est mic, they are signaling an expanded sense of welcoming. They’re deliberately leaving room for the unusual. Folks who might not consider themselves worthy of some open mic events because they think they’re too weird or random are assured that this is something intentionally different.

For that reason, there are also no advanced signups to take a turn at the microphone. You have to show up at 6PM to put yourself on the list. With the exception of some considerations for those with special needs, it’s a first come, first served, come-as-you-are night of local performance art.

DiCaronimo’s reasoning for the lack of advance registration is that it helps avoid the stagnancy of the same regulars taking up the spots every time or the frustration of no-shows. She wants to honor those who show up. That’s going to be her family for the evening. And she genuinely loves them.

Tyler Hopp, who produces the streaming, also listed the higher standard of technical production of the Openest Mic shows. One of the main reasons DiCaronimo and Hopp collaborated to start the series came from the frustration of not being able to hear the acts in other open mic events. The informal nature of open mics is part of their charm, of course. But that informality sometimes bleeds into the production values and frequently the nuances of things like poetry or comedy are lost to poor sound quality. They enlisted sound designer Lucas Cardwell to ensure that all are well supported to present their talent with clarity.

DiCaronimo herself is a locally-recognized poet and regularly shares her art from the stage. Recently named Worcester County Poetry Association’s first Dan Lewis Poetry Fellow in a unanimous decision by the judges, she will receive her award on March 3 in Worcester. Her association with the WCPA brings an added level of poetic artistry to the offering.

It’s a good place for everyone from comedians to musicians to try out new material, mixing professionals with mere aficionados on stage as equals. The pressure is off, so they’re reminded of the fun. It’s a cross-genre jam session where, as Laura puts it, “you have the freedom to be creative and you’re still being supported by community…band practice is way more fun than the gig.”

With a strict rule about not limiting content, almost anything goes. All participants are given up to 5 minutes to perform. Expect to see music, poetry, comedy, spoken word, and even skits, such as one recent duo who signed up under the name Jan Itors, and came out to reveal themselves to be the Smokestack custodians Kevin and Jon, who proceeded to enact a scene involving the polishing of the microphone and a poem about their service.

Openest Mic #6 will be Friday, March 8, from 6-8 p.m. at Smokestack Roasters, 39 Mass Ave in Lunenburg. Sign-ups are promptly at 6 p.m. first come, first served. Find them on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, or email Laura DiCaronimo at laura.optician@gmail.com for more information.

Wil Darcangelo is a weekly contributor of his Hopeful Thinking column on optimistic spirituality for the Information Age every Saturday. He is also the host of a monthly radio show called Our Common Dharma based on his columns every 4th Monday at noon on WPKZ 105.3FM. Email wildarcangelo@gmail.com. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @wildarcangelo. His blog, Hopeful Thinking, can be found at www.hopefulthinkingworld.blogspot.com.