On Nov. 16th, WQRI gave an unforgettable glimpse into our student body’s raw emotions and talents at RWU’s Open Mic Night. Hosted by the campus radio station, WQRI, as part of Stay Woke Week and in collaboration with the Multicultural Student Union, the event offered a stage in the Global Heritage Hall for students to perform everything from songs and bands to stand-up comedy and poetry. Students signed up to perform through a Google Form shared on WQRI’s Instagram (@wqri883), ensuring anyone could show off their talents.
The event started with Olivia Sorrell’s cover of Adele’s “All I Ask.” Sorrell captured the beautiful yet strong spirit of the song, which earned her a roaring applause from the audience, setting the night off with a bang. Madison Nicole followed with their rendition of “The Glass” by Foo Fighters, delivering another fantastic performance with vocals rivaling the original song.
But the event wasn’t exclusive to music. Alexa Benson-Amarante went up next and performed a poetry reading. Her first poem, “It is Wednesday and I am Six,” played with time, reflecting on the speaker’s relationship with a deceased loved one. Her second poem, “The Color Blue,” was a rebellious rhymed poem for a passionate lover.
Afterward, Adele was brought back to center stage with Elle Cowell’s performance of “Set Fire to the Rain.” Her talent had her effortlessly reaching those fierce high notes that echoed throughout GHH. The night’s performances continued with Zachary Wasserman, Sadie Meltzer, and a standout performance by Madison Benson, who performed a stunning rendition of “Ex’s & Oh’s” by Elle King.
A fun addition to the lineup was Amanda Walsh’s stand-up routine. As a self-admitted first-time performer, her jokes about New Englanders and a “cow town” from Connecticut had the audience rolling.
The musical performances continued with exciting band sets. DJ Trevens delivered an instrumental cover of “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden. The band Maintenance, dressed in matching pajamas, brought humor and a chill indie vibe to the event with covers like “Someone New” by Hozier and “Spiderhead” by Cage the Elephant.
Afterward, the band College Dropouts brought a fun twist to Kanye West’s “Ghost Town” with an expertly played keyboard by Matt Bogli. The band 63 followed with a cover of “Pool House” by The Backseat Lovers, and Nonsensory closed with an energetic set, performing everything from “Toxicity” by System of a Down to a pop-rock rendition of “Pink Pony Club” by breakout star Chappell Roan.
Drinks, snacks, and WQRI swag—including stickers, tote bags, shirts, and hats—were provided free of cost. With the GHH atrium packed with a full house, the event successfully celebrated RWU’s wide range of talented students. Maddy Pino, WQRI host of “The Alt Hour,” commended the board’s work in organizing the event, saying it was a lot of effort since they had to coordinate the event with another club, the Multicultural Student Union. And if you missed out this time, keep an eye out for another Open Mic Night next semester. Follow WQRI’s Instagram at @wqri883 so you can attend, sign up, and show off your talents to the entire campus.
