NORWAY – Heather Pierson welcomed folks to the makeshift coffeehouse in the basement of the Unitarian Universalist Church on Main Street Friday night.
Pierson is the music director at the church, owner of Vessel Recordings, and on the last Friday of every month for the last four years, host of this event.
Old wooden tables and chairs were scattered across the floor, each with a view of the stage, and mostly occupied by those who came out to listen, to encourage and maybe to perform. A cardboard box at the door was filling up with canned goods and dollar bills: donations to the Oxford Hills Food Pantry. The smell of coffee mingled with familiar church kitchen smells – maybe from a recent bean supper or leftover goodies from last Sunday’s coffee hour.
Pierson started things off with three jazz tunes, including an old Benny Goodman song and an original of her own. She sat, leaned into the piano then filled the room with her soulful music.
“This is the closest thing we have to a coffeehouse around here,” said Pat Shearman of Norway. She came with Nancy Wood of Harrison and Redwing Wilderbrook of Fryeburg, all members of the Unitarian Universalist Church. When asked if they might perform, the ladies laughed and said no. “Somebody’s gotta be in the peanut gallery,” joked Shearman.
Liz Williams of Harrison has just started learning guitar and was definitely there to play. She and her friend, Grace Mackley of West Paris, comprise “Unfamiliar Ceiling,” a band they started in August. “We haven’t really practiced, except over the phone,” said Mackley with a nervous giggle. Williams didn’t seem very concerned. “We’re here because we’re awesome.”
Pierson makes a living playing music, but most performers here don’t. “What’s great about the open mic is people can test the waters. There’s no air of competition: It’s a friendly place to start out,” she said during a break.
Stephan Oliver of Bridgton read a Thanksgiving poem he recently wrote. Funny and thoughtful, the verses encourage us to give thanks to the people in our lives, “and best practice is to finish the analysis before turkey paralysis” By day, Oliver works in Portland designing exhibits for the Children’s museum, and has recently bought an old mill in Bridgton in hopes of turning it into an art center.
Oliver came with friends, Lynn Osterberg and Wendy Bearschild, both of Bridgton. “We came to explore Norway and meet new people, especially artists and musicians,” said Bearschild.
Other performers included Mary “Ukelady” Hargreaves and Duncan Slade, a visual artist from Norway, who played old-time songs on the piano while audience members sang along. According to Pierson, the Norway Open Mic has hosted comedians, dancers, magicians and more. “It’s very family friendly; anybody – anybody – is welcome to the open mic,” she said.
To learn more go to www.heatherpierson.com or call 935-4505.
Comments are no longer available on this story