On Monday, Oct 7, Rowan University’s Student University Programmers (SUP) hosted their monthly open mic night at Prof’s Place in the Chamberlain Student Center. 

The small, intimate crowd was filled with students, performers, and SUP staff. Despite the limited numbers, the atmosphere was vibrant, and the performers put on a show for everyone watching. 

After checking in with SUP at the door, attendees were invited to enjoy the catered food bar, which featured soup, salad, and bread rolls, allowing them to feel comfortable and welcomed.

The first performer of the night was Paloe, an artist who performed two original songs. Keeping the theme of personal expression, Joe performed a song he wrote for his mother, who passed away when he was nine years old. 

An act that was a crowd favorite for the night was from two performers that go by the name, Your Epiphany. The duo started their performance with a heartfelt country song and then did a complete 180 and performed a high-energy screamo piece, showcasing their versatility.

However, no performance of the night could match up to the amount of love that was shown to Gavin Schweiger’s performance. Schweiger performed a song in Spanish called “Precious” and won over the hearts of every audience member. He was even called up to the stage to perform again. The second time, he performed a song in French. 

“He’s just really talented. Just very technically good,” said Sylvia Gneo, a freshman here at Rowan reflecting on Schweiger’s performance. 

Much to his surprise, Gavin Schweiger gained some fans after his performances on Monday night. 

“That was not expected. I’ve performed here quite a bit through my years. I started here when I was a freshman, so yeah it’s been a long time. I wouldn’t say I’ve been a fan favorite before. It was definitely surprising,” said Schweiger. 

SUP’s open mic nights can be a great opportunity to express yourself creatively without feeling any pressure. Whether you’re an experienced musician or you just like to sing in your shower, performing on the stage at Prof’s Place can get you out of your comfort zone and bring joy to you and others. 

“If you like singing in the shower, try singing out of the shower and see what happens,” said Schweiger, encouraging others to put themselves out there. 

Once the night was coming to an end, attendees were invited to enjoy more food at the food bar and more performers were invited for an encore. 

Overall, SUP provided a night of amazing entertainment in an amazing environment. While most audience members left feeling fulfilled, some expressed the need for better awareness of SUP events such as this one. 

“I feel like there needs to be more advertisements so that more people know about it. Blast it all over Wilson, where all the talented students are,” said Taylor Fisher, a freshman here at Rowan. 

With the bright talent showcased, and the spirit of the community raised, SUP’s open mic night not only entertained but also inspired performers and audience members alike, leaving everyone eager for the next get-together. 

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