open-mic night. Common Grounds

For the past few months i have been going to the open mic nights every Monday at Common Grounds in Lexington, Ky. A few of my friends will play acoustic sets, but usually i end up seeing a mass amount of locals doing cover songs, or reading really awkward poetry. I particularly enjoy seeing all of the typical young blonde girls get on stage and sing a terrible version of a 90's love song and expect all of the boys to throw themselves at her when she is finished, which is what happens every time! It's really a hilarious evening.

The coffee shop is usually packed with college aged kids and older war-bashing men every Monday. Everyone either sits around and stares at a laptop, or discusses current politics and argues their points. My friends and i usually go to pass out flyers for upcomming punk shows and to make new friends with people that we enjoy seeing play that evening. Open mic night is a great way to bring people together, have your voice heard, and make new friends.

Rudy Hearts Matilda, Crucial Funhouse

Last night I ended up at an unexpected show featuring Timeshares, and Rudy Hearts Matilda, a pop punk band with a bit of ska, from Mt. Sterling, Kentucky. Ive known of their singer, Dylan Sizemore, from his past shows as a solo song writer and performer. But his colaboration with some local awesome highschool kids have created a great band that will surely have every single one of their songs stuck in your head, or the trumpet tunes humming from your mouth.

This was the first big show at the crucial funhouse of the summer. The attic was remarkebly hot, kids were ripping their clothes off and dancing together. People were also slipping on the floors from the amount of sweat dripping down. It was a mess, but very very fun.

After they were finished playing, everyone rushed downstairs to the freezing air of the summer night and collapsed in the yard. It was a refreshing and positive filled show.