Azam Shaikh, currently pursuing a master of business administration, performs a stand-up comedy routine.
The biannual tradition of Open Mic Night continued on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day. Community Life hosted this event to bring students together to showcase their talents.
This event featured 17 performances that included singers, stand-up comedy and musicians displaying their talents and skills. Open Mic Night involves students who grew up performing and love being on stage, and those who push themselves outside of their comfort zone to try something new.
Community Life at California Baptist University hosts many events every year on campus to create a fun environment with experiences that will provide memories. Isabelle Sharp, Community Life intern, emphasized the fun sense of togetherness the event brings.
“What’s special about Open Mic is that it’s a place where students can show off their talent that they might not otherwise have a platform to do so on campus,” Sharp said. “It’s a way to build a community of support and unity.”
Azam Sebastian, graduate student, entertained the audience with his light-hearted stand-up comedy at Open Mic Night.
“Growing up in India, I didn’t perform,” Sebastian said. “But it was fun. I wanted to do this and I just wanted to put a smile on people’s faces and allow them to have a good time. It doesn’t matter if they make fun of you or not. Even if people laugh, they’re smiling and that’s all that matters.”
Students Tim Craig, Noah Fickel and Aaron Carillo have performed at Open Mic Night in the past and enjoy making music together. They played “Edge of Desire” by John Mayer at this semester’s Open Mic Night. Craig sang and played guitar, Fickel played electric guitar and Carillo played the drum pad. They are also involved in the Purpose Worship Team at CBU and are in the process of planning their own worship night event.
They have performed together before, but this experience was different for them due to the closeness of their audience and the environment.
“It was a fun experience and I’m glad we did it,” Craig said.
Maxine Auer and Alyssa Humphreys, Community Life interns, were the planners and hosts for this event. Auer explained that she participated in this event during the previous semester’s Open Mic Night. She also explained that this event fell on St. Patrick’s Day due to the numerous other scheduled events that were happening throughout the semester.
“(St. Patrick’s Day) ended up becoming a fun aspect of the night that we got to play into with the theme,” Auer said.
This event is so loved by students that the possibility of doubling Open Mic Nights for each semester is currently being considered by CBU’S Community Life staff.
