Sackville is a town with a story to tell. Many stories, in fact—strong liberal arts programs means more students and developing creatives than there are venues to share their works and build community. The COVID-19 pandemic affected and still affects in-person storytelling events, but certain dedicated people are still working to revitalize those spaces. On Wednesday September 18, in collaboration with Ducky’s Pub and Canadian rock band Partner, Dr. Shoshannah Bryn Jones Square organized a student open mic that will hopefully be the first in a returning trend.
A new addition to the Mt. A English Department, Dr. Bryn is Assistant Professor in Literature, the Environment, and Climate Change. She currently teaches two classes in the Department, and has experience organizing open mics from her previous position at Bishop’s University. She recalls being surprised by the determination of students at this university: “The students at Mt. A seem very special. You are all so engaged, and you care,” she emphasizes.
The open mic was organized in part by said students, helping with recruitment and poster-making, which Dr. Bryn recognizes as important. “It was collaborative with students. It was not just me, I could not have pulled it off,” she laughs. “I do not think anyone would have showed up […] I am so grateful.” Events like these, she shares, have value in the classroom and beyond. They encourage cross-departmental community and provide a space for young creatives to test their work out without the pressure of a grade.
Students and community members alike shared words and music, followed by a musical performance by queer rock band Partner. In the former, highlights include original music (“Pop my Balloon”) and covers (“The Water” and “New York State of Mind”) by Caleb Hayes, joined after in a duet with Mt. A English student Julia Palmer, and poetry by fifth-year English student Freddy Smith (along with a reminder to submit to 7 Mondays, Mt. A’s visual and literary art magazine, which Smith reanimated from a pandemic hiatus last year).
The second half of the evening, a performance by Partner, brought a playful and energetic feeling to this band’s old haunt. Composed of Mt. A alumni Josée Caron and Lucy Niles, the two were acutely in-sync from their first notes. Playing acoustic versions of old and new material, they seemed intimately familiar with the energy of Ducky’s Pub and playfully layered harmonies between laughter and sharing the backstories behind songs. This event was the band’s first trip to Sackville in half a decade, according to the band’s bassist Lucy Niles, and ironic because, as she puts it, “We used to spend all of our time in Ducky’s.”
Partner was formed in 2014 out of its creators’ shared love for the local music scene, but never quite seeing enough of the genres and narratives they were interested in. “We had this idea that was sort of radical to us,” Lucy shares, to “make gay music but make it fun […] where we talk about our experiences but it does not have to be depressing.” While playing both frat parties and local bars, they found their place in upbeat queer rock. “We found our niche […] we were kind of the queer people on the scene.”
How does it feel to see other young storytellers and students making their own foray into the world? “It is awesome to get to see people who are finding their voice.” Her parting advice to anyone who needs it: Be true to yourself and make art that feels important first and foremost. “Worry about expressing yourself,” says Lucy, “don’t think about the industry […] if you are expressing yourself in a way that feels true for you, everything’s going to flow”.
To stay up-to-date on the band, follow them on social media or visit https://www.partnerband.com/.
Keep an eye out for future Open Mics and similar events as well! Dr. Bryn shared a strong resolve to keep these events running, the sentiment seems echoed by the student body. If you hear of an Open Mic near you – check it out! Stories, after all, mean nothing without someone to listen.
