The First "Listening Space" of 2014 - a West Hartford Open Mic

We began our second year of monthly Open Mics on Saturday, January 18, with Jimmy Mancini, aka the "Product of Welfare," opening up the show. Jimmy's originals got the evening off to a lively start. Returning for another round of great guitar work was Eric Paradine, playing solo, backing Jami VanDerMeid on some sultry blues tunes, and jamming with our host, Joe Bleicher, on a few friendly folk songs. Thomas Esposito's original Christian rap and Stephen Jane's own contemporary Christian music gave us pause, while Bill Anderson astounded us with Gordon Lightfoot and Jim Croce covers and yet another outstanding original tune. We welcomed back the young and talented Angelica Ellis, and enjoyed another fine performance by Taryn Elise. Sabrina Esposito and her friend Fabiana wowed us with a lively original dance number, and somehow, five-year-old Caden VanDerMeid managed to remember all the verses of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" without missing a beat!

The next "Listening Space" is Saturday, February 15, 2014 at Covenant Congregational Church, 1 Westminster Dr., West Hartford, CT 06107. Sign-up at 6:30pm; the music starts at 7:00. PA, amps, mics, and electric keyboard are provided. The event is free. For more information or to reserve a slot, call Jami at 860-977-0607 or email Chris at christine.r.marchetti@gmail.com. See more at whcovenant.org

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