Last Saturday evening we headed to the New London United Methodist Church's "open mic" coffeehouse, held at the church at 1010 State Road, west of Route 896. The old-fashioned wooden-floored hall, with a raised stage at one end, was a charming venue. Mercedes Case, the pastor, told us it was formerly a Grange Hall and an Odd Fellows Hall, with the church on the second floor (until a fire destroyed the second floor).
I had no clue what to expect from the performers, but it turned out to be an entertaining evening. The headliner was a pop trio comprising a guitarist, a bass player and a drummer. There was audience participation in three of their songs: for one we were all issued percussion instruments; in another we joined in on the chorus; and in "Lean on Me" six of us were called up to form a chorus line. (I percussed, sang and boogied with the greatest enthusiasm. Just ask my long-suffering date.)
After the band, the next performers were a poet named Rosemary who formerly sold ads for the Daily Local News; a guitarist who sang a few lively Appalachian ditties; a fiddler who alternated playing and singing verses of a hymn; and a trouper of a woman who sang the classic "Unforgettable."
I give them all credit for getting up there on stage! And wouldn't you know, I ran into the poet outside the Jennersville Starbucks a few days later.
The next coffeehouse is Saturday, Oct. 25, starting at 7 p.m. Admission is a bargain: only $5. There are baked goods and drinks for sale.
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