Texas Tech MFA student creates virtual venue for Musicians, Story tellers, Comedians and anyone that wants to express themselves.
As "staying at home" becomes the new normal and COVID-19 continues to dominate morning news and social media feeds, we all find ourselves adapting to new routines and ways of doing everyday activities. Like many Texas Tech students, I now teach and participate in online classes from my home. I only see my classmates through web video services. I haven't been to any of my favorite Lubbock coffee shops, or any coffee shops, in over a month, and my family are becoming experts at finding ways to get groceries and takeout delivered.
Despite this myriad of difficult changes, one exciting change has taken place: I now see live artists at least twice a week! Thanks to DayDay Robinson's initiative, the Lubbock Quarantine Open Mic on Facebook provides multiple opportunities each week for artists, entertainers, and performers. Performers can sign up for thirty-minute open mic slots and interact with live audience members. The page also allows people to post videos of their work anytime.
Since the page appeared on March 20, 2020, I've seen traditional open mic fare – singers working on covers and original work; spoken word poets; performance art – and unique open mic performances like a contemporary cellist, a wrestling match, a meditation session, a history lesson on witchcraft, and lessons on baking bread. Performers and artists are Texas Tech undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, and friends of the arts, as well as members of the greater Lubbock arts and entertainment community.
The Lubbock Quarantine Open Mic gives me something to look forward to every week, and I appreciate the ability to support local artists work from the safety of my own home. To learn how this project started, I reached out to Robinson, a third year MFA in Performance and Pedagogy in the School of Theatre and Dance.
Robinson explained that she borrowed the idea from another Facebook group, seeing an online forum as a necessary step toward keeping the arts alive in Lubbock and providing the entire TTU and Lubbock community a creative space to express themselves:
"I believe that some of the best art come[s] from pain, uncertainty and loss," Robinson says. "There are a lot of people out here hurting right now and art (open mics) is a healthy way to communicate that hurt. Some people might not be hurting, and they are utilizing this platform to bring joy to others. This open mic is a way for artist to say, "Hey we're still here and we matter.'"
Robinson, who also works with the BurkTech Players and hopes to work in community arts outreach programs after graduation, explained that it can be easy to lose yourself in trying to be productive, or for artists to lose ourselves in our art. As a theatre director and community engaged artist, her own work is currently on hold. She is trying to find balance between finishing out this school year, self-care, and supporting other artists until social distancing becomes unnecessary.
Lubbock Quarantine Open Mic is open to musicians, performers, and artists of all kinds who wish to express themselves artistically during the quarantine. Stand-up comedians, short film creators, poetry readings, and more are all welcome to sign-up for open mic slots or to post videos throughout the week. Robinson only asks that members, both performers and audience, refrain from political posts that do not relate directly to artistic expression and that everyone practice kindness.