Hannah Clayman
Equinox Staff
Downtown Keene presents college students with an array of businesses to enjoy. For many college students, open mic nights are a way for students to relax and hear local bands and artists. During the week, Keene State College students have the opportunity to showcase their talents to a different audience, in several locations with varying, eclectic vibes. Brewbakers, Fritz Fries, Ramunto’s, and Penuche’s Ale House each have live music and open mic nights, between Wednesday and Saturday every week.
The Starving Artist, just around the corner from Main Street on West Street, is a popular spot for students and others to stop in and listen to music. Brewbakers, a coffee shop that boasts a cozy atmosphere and local foods and coffee, hosts its own open mic night, the most recent taking place this past Wednesday, April 4.
With 15-minute slots available to potential performers, Brewbakers opens its venue to student musicians, as well as other local talent. Though a relatively small venue, the close quarters allow for a truly intimate experience between musician and audience. Fritz-the Place to Eat-hosts an acoustic Thursday and live music every Friday night from 7 until 9 p.m. Fritz, a larger venue than Brewbakers, offers a much different atmosphere for musicians and audience alike. “The atmosphere [at Fritz] is pretty awesome because of all the chairs and couches and what not. It feels more like a lounge,” Brett Murray, a KSC student who has attended open mic nights at several of Keene’s different venues, said. Thursday night’s acoustic performance slots are open to any who are interested in getting out there and having their music heard.
Much closer to KSC’s campus entrance, Ramunto’s Brick Oven Pizza is another one of Keene’s handful of restaurants that hosts an open mic night, with theirs happening on most Thursdays.
A frequent attendee of the open mic night at Ramunto’s, Tim Rosadini, a KSC student, has found a favorite group of performers. “The Hobbits have played at Ramunto’s four times, and kill it every time! Everyone I have talked to thinks it’s a great [venue] and likes the change of scenery.”
The Hobbits, whose members Connor Tyrrell and Derek Peabody, also KSC students, have also played several times at Keene’s final open mic night venue–Penuche’s Ale House. Penuche’s Ale House has dedicated the space it has available on Thursday nights to Keene State College musicians. Each week, Penuche’s looks for KSC student bands to play its KSC Acoustic Music Series.
The pub atmosphere offers students a different vibe from other open mic nights in Keene. Having the night dedicated specifically to KSC musicians is also a great way to bring in Keene State’s current students and alumni to cheer on their own talent.
Hannah Clayman can be contacted at hclayman@ksc.mailcruiser.com