POINT PLEASANT — For 11 years, Dennis “The Heavy Metal Poet” Townsend has hosted an open mic night at the Point Pleasant Borough Library, and the most recent session was a celebration of the program’s 11-year anniversary.
“We are going on our 11-year anniversary next month, but I am just glad everybody showed up tonight,” Townsend said. “We are proud that the library hosts us every month.”
Townsend said he started this after going to a few other open mics around. He found that many others did not have a welcoming atmosphere.
Open mic night is open and free to anyone from the public. Participants are able to read their poetry or play their music, among other talents. Townsend encourages any and all residents to come on by and join in the welcoming and fun environment he has crafted over the years.
While Townsend always brings pizza and beverages to each open mic, out of his own pocket, he went above and beyond with this one, also bringing desserts. Many regulars to the event also brought some treats to share with the crowd.
This event takes place once a month at the library, 834 Beaver Dam Road, and usually takes place on the first Thursday of the month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Prior to COVID-19, the nights saw upward of 20 to 30 people stopping by either to test out their local talent or just to watch. According to Townsend, the pandemic was rough on the membership, but the program has been slowly regaining its numbers since.
“This is an outlet for everybody to come in. We are a small stepping stone of an open mic. We are very word-of-mouth, but a new face will come every month and that is good. That is me wanting to keep this going,” said Townsend. “If somebody new shows up every month, then I am getting the word out one person at a time.”
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