Keene Mutual Aid, a local grassroots volunteer organization dedicated to providing food, hygiene, harm reduction and camping supplies to community members in need, teamed up with Nova Arts to host their seasonal open mic benefit night on Thursday, Oct. 6. Keene Mutual Aid and Nova Arts host an open mic event four times per year, once per season to raise money and awareness for the local nonprofit. Musicians, poets and community members who wanted to take the spotlight had the chance to perform at Nova Art’s stage while donations for Keene Mutual Aid were collected at the door. Donations were voluntary, but encouraged to help support the cause.
Keene Mutual Aid runs a weekly “free store,” where essential living supplies are freely provided through the work of volunteers and donors. The free store operates weekly on Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Keene’s Railroad Square.
According to Keene Mutual Aid volunteer Xander, who asked to have their last name withheld, said that securing donations through fundraising events are more important than ever, following the recent shutdown of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
“SNAP benefits are closing down soon due to the government shutdown, and people will soon be losing the ability to feed themselves and their families. [Keene Mutual Aid] has always been about horizontal efforts within the community to feed everyone, whether it’s the most at need people, or anyone who’s in need, whether you are a college student or a struggling community member or anyone who needs help,” said Xander. “We really believe that if everyone in the community comes together, we can meet everyone’s needs.”
Nova Arts co-founder Eric Gagne said that opportunities to partner with local organizations like Keene Mutual Aid help to give back to the community, while also offering a space for local artists to perform for a good cause.
“Keene Mutual Aid is a great organization, and we try to do this four times a year, once per season. Open mic nights are a great way to bring out a really exciting mix of folks into a really warm and welcoming environment,” said Gagne.
“I went to college here twenty years ago, and wish we had a place like this when I was here, so I hope more KSC students will come out for some of the events we have lined up throughout the year,” added Gagne.
Senior Clara Fisher performed an original song at the open mic event and said that performing alongside fellow members of Keene’s artistic community is always a rewarding experience.
“I came out and performed an original folk song that I had written because I love performing and being a part of the artistic community in Keene. I’m friends with a lot of the other musicians, and it’s a great chance to be surrounded by other creative people,” said Fisher.
“You get a lot out of surrounding yourself with like-minded, creative people. I also believe in the mission of [Keene Mutual Aid], and I’m always happy to help support the amazing work that they provide,” added Fisher.
Conner O’Brien performed an original song at the open mic event, marking his first public performance in years since taking a personal hiatus.
“I had been listening to a lot of Ella Fitzgerald’s music when I wrote this song, and this was actually the first time in probably a decade that I’ve performed live so it was a really special experience to share my music here,” said O’Brien.
Ryan Pacheco can be contacted at
rpacheco@kscequinox.com
