Open Mic Nights are a regular source of entertainment for students at Central, producing a platform for participants to showcase their creativity and explore self-expression. The most recent one took place on Feb. 5 at the SURC pit. Picture students of all ages, races and backgrounds coming together to enjoy a night full of guitar playing, storytelling and comedic fun. 

All it took was one participant deciding to sing at the open mic night before the room filled with chatter. Students were eager to share their thoughts and opinions on the show.

Kiara Moore, a freshman in construction management, gave some insight into what they thought about the event. “Yeah, I think it’s fun to see different people do different things,” Moore said. 

One participant who works for campus activities decided to do a surprise performance of Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass”. The crowd went wild for the performer, with people singing and dancing along to the performance that was being put on in front of them.

Skylar Parker, a second-year deaf and sign language studies major, chimed in with their opinion. “It’s like walking down a tunnel I didn’t know existed.” Skylar then put on a performance where they sang a song in ASL. After the song was performed, the crowd cheered loudly. 

Erick Becerra, a special events coordinator for SLICE (Student Leadership Involvement & Community Engagement), sat down and gave some reasons for hosting Open Mic Nights on campus.

 “I think it means a sense of belonging. I know that there are multiple students that I see the performer in, but I see them around campus and they seem really quiet and then once they go onto stage they turn it to another person which is really awesome to see,” Becerra said. “Just the confidence that they have up there I definitely do not have, it’s always something that I admire seeing from them.”

Becerra also shined some insight into the longevity of Open Mic Nights, and if it is something they plan to continue to pour their energy into. 

“Yeah, it’s definitely something that we always try to involve in our events. I know that for family weekend it’s been kind of brought up, not just students but community members as well to participate in it, but it’s still in the works,” Becerra said. “In any way that we can incorporate it, I think it would be great for students.”