With the semester coming to its close, Vox staff members are scrambling for submissions of student poetry, short stories and visual art.
With this in mind, Vox editor, Blake Ferris, and assistant editor, Jenna Albert, organized a coffeehouse on Nov. 7. Students were invited to read poetry and play music in front of their peers. The Whitebone lounge was buzzing before Ferris took the stage to welcome everyone for what was to be an evening chalked with artistic prowess.
“I believe that the Vox coffeehouse went tremendously well, both in the content of the event and the turn out,” says Ferris, “from last year’s launch we more than doubled the amount of attendees.”
Scott Lilly, a member of Dr. Anne Compton’s creative writing program, took the stage first to deliver poems he had been editing through the semester. Regaling pieces concerning the death of a mentor, the night started on a somber note. Lilly’s delivery was strong and true, captivating the coffee sipping attendees and creating a tone of seriousness and dignity.
“I think the range of performers, from Dr. Dan Downes much appreciated contribution down to the bravery of the many participants who had never read their own work in front of an audience, really deserve the credit for such success,” says Ferris.
The night felt successful, its only drawback being the exuberant crowd gathered next-door at Colonel Tucker’s for “Sex-toy Bingo.”
“I guess it boils down to the fact that there is limited space on campus for events,” says Anthony Enman, SRC’s vice president finance and coordinator of the Sexual Health Centre/SRC bingo event.
Blasts from the excitable Enman and co-host, Laura Gordon rattled some performers but was easily shaken off by the seasoned Dr. Dan Downes who played a concrete blues based set to close out the evening.
“I think it was frustrating for the performers sometimes, but it acted more as a palette cleanser really,” says Ferris, “after such heavy music and poetry, something to laugh at was good.”
VOX is planning to host another coffeehouse event for the publication’s launch this spring and hopes to have just as much excitement and creativity involved come March.
For more information students can contact Ferris via e-mail at m253o@unb.ca concerning submissions. He and Albert are trying to get as many student works as they can before the submission deadline; Dec. 7.
