Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 06/99) - Poets, lyricists, musicians and performance artists of all stripes have long been staging public performances -- for fellow artists and the public at large -- at funky cafes and bistros.

The surrealists did it in Paris as long ago as the turn of the century (probably sipping a glass of the now-illegal and illusive absinthe) and a few locals are now doing it right here in Yellowknife.

It all started back in June. Leela Gilday figured it was time to use of those dull Sunday nights with a free-for-all of aural art. The location? Yellowknife's own funky cafe, Javaroma. Hence the evening was born, Javaroma Jam.

Gilday asked another local, Carlos Johnson, if he would agree to co-host.

Johnson is, among other things, a writer. He hadn't read publicly in a while, having tried at the Cave jam. But that proved the wrong venue for a non-musical performance. So he agreed to give it a shot.

"It's fun," says Johnson.

"Being host -- I've got to read."

That's part of the job of encouraging others to stand in from of a microphone and face the public. Johnson reads poetry.

The poet/host notes that many people have battled their nervousness -- a sensation he can relate to -- and shared their words and tales.

"Scott Woods came by. He read from a book that's being published, stories."

Yet another brave soul, Bill Reid, dropped in and read what Johnson tentatively call a verbal essay.

"It was really cool writing, really funny," he enthuses.

"Even one person who was travelling told a tale learned on her travels. People just go up and tell stories. That's totally awesome."

Jim Lawrance, of the band Red Devils that recently played at Harley's, stopped by and gave "a whole harmonica history lesson.

"He's been playing since the age of three!" Johnson adds.

A quintet of singers gave an a cappella performance, sometimes a singer will be joined by a guitarist.

"There's been five people up there, which is really cool."

Johnson notes that the concept of an open mike encompasses several philosophies: anyone can come on down. There simply isn't a judgmental attitude to the evening and, finally, there's the openness of the performer to share his/her writing with the others.

"This is a really good thing that we've got going here," says Johnson, adding that anyone and everyone can do it.

"I'm always nervous," he laughs.

So if you have some writing in that drawer or a good story you like to tell, or a song, even a funny anecdote, drop in one Sunday night around 8. Don't be shy, now.