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01/08/2020 07:20 AMHave a talent you want to showcase? Are you over 14 years old? The Nest community coffee shop is where you want to be on the evening of Saturday, Jan. 18 from 7 to 8:30 p.m., for the shop’s first open mic night event.
“We want to encourage local people of all ages and all talents to come and express themselves in a welcoming, comfortable space,” said Jane Moen of The Nest. “We have an amazing, welcoming, kind wonderful audience, great baked goods, coffee, tea, treats of all kinds, and more. We hope that people just go for it and come and perform.”
She added, “We are hoping to get a wide variety of performers, with all different kinds of skills and talents to showcase, that’s what will make it fun and interesting for everyone.”
The coffee house opened last spring as a nonprofit endeavor dedicated to changing the lives of young adults with disabilities.
The idea for both the coffee shop and her non-profit, A Little Compassion, was grown from Moen’s own experience with her daughter, who was diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Wanting to create a place where young adults with disabilities could gain work experience and confidence in a setting grounded in acceptance and support, Moen started The Nest.
It has become a favorite hang-out for community members of all ages seeking out a cozy spot to enjoy the company of others or sip a cup of joe and nibble a delightful treat. The Nest currently works with nearly 20 young adults with disabilities who are beginning their work journey.
Decorated fittingly with bird nest décor and accents, The Nest has already had success with acoustic music nights and trivia nights and now wants to add the open mic night to the mix.
“After we held a couple of acoustic nights, we had requests from artists with other talents for a way to showcase them as well, so we thought, ‘Why not open it up as an open mic night?’” said Moen.
Tim Bouchard, who works at The Nest, can’t wait for night full of talent.
“I think it will be fun to listen to music and meet new people,” said Bouchard.
The event, which will be emceed by local fiddler and Nest barista Chris Biase, will be held in the main room of The Nest, with a sound system set up and plenty of chairs and tables for the audience. The Nest is asking for a $5 donation, which will go to its non-profit A Little Compassion, so that it can continue to host gathering events such as this one.
Currently the plan is to hold an open mic night every other month. On alternating months, The Nest will hold its Trivia Nights.
Those who wish to be part of the show can sign up, in person, the night of the show starting at 6:30 p.m. at The Nest. Slots will be for 10-minute (or shorter) performances. Moen said that if waiting until the night of the open mic to register will cause anxiety, individuals are welcome to email her at jane@alittlecompassion.org, to make other arrangements.