Open Mic Night Attracts Local Performers

Coffee isn’t the only thing on the menu at every Wednesday night. You can sip your mocha latte while getting a side dish of a potential future star.

They come from all over to have a few moments in the spotlight. Whether it’s a song, poetry or comedy, Lindy’s own Spoon has been giving performers the opportunity to showcase their talents.

Proprietor Joe Speranza started the open mic nights as soon as his café opened in 2005.

“It’s what café’s do,” he remarked. “People come from as far as New York City or Riverhead that want to perform.”

On most nights there could be up to 20 different performers. Talent has ranged from as young as six up to 75 years old.

Speranza told Lindenhurst Patch that the content is kept clean since he wants to maintain an environment conducive to families. He also likes to keep it fun.

“There is no competition or judging anyone,” he said. However, if they are good, then Speranza will book them for a future engagement.

Besides the talent getting an opportunity to perform, Spoon patrons benefit from the entertainment. According to Speranza, his patrons get a first-hand look at the “style, age, quality and uniqueness of talent that comes from Long Island,” he said.

Frequent performers include those as young as sister and brother Nicki, seven, and Vincent Sottile, nine, both from Lindenhurst. They come to Spoon each Wednesday after taking music lessons next door at . They were at the most recent open mic last week despite the inclement weather.

Nicki enjoys performing Miley Cyrus, Bon Jovi and the Plain White T’s, while her brother Vincent prefers the Jonas Brothers.

“It [performing] makes me feel confident, big and strong,” exclaimed Nicki. Older brother Vincent said he enjoys the applause he receives after each performance.

Their mother Joanne encourages their involvement. She referred to Spoon as “the best place in the world” for giving them the continued opportunity.

In addition to the Sottile family, one of the other regular performers is Justine Mackin, a freshman at .

She performed a song titled Coffee and Cigarettes at the most recent open mic night - the same night when the town got a blast of wintry weather, and when  across town at the high school.

She agreed with the Sottiles’ mother about the benefits of Spoon having an open mic night.

“A lot of people get the chance to get discovered,” explained Mackin. “They show people they have talent and it takes a lot of guts to get up there.”

The popularity of Spoon’s open mic nights has grown through social networking. Speranza started promoting the event through Facebook, MySpace and OpenMikes.org.

The next open mic night is tonight, and next month on April 22 at 6:30 p.m. Spoon will host authors Linda Maria Frank (The Madonna Ghost and Girl with Pencil Drawing) and Karen Lee Bonnet (Whale Island and the Mysterious Bones).

The family-friendly evening will feature stories, games and contests.

Spoon is located at 125 South Wellwood Avenue, and can be reached at 631-957-7666.