Check this recap by Vibe regular and guest writer Dana DeCicco:

The first Thursday of every month now invites an eclectic group of artistic people at my home away from home, Stapleton’s The Cup. This May’s Vibe began like no other, newbies riffling through notes, and crumbled up napkins trying to find a piece to share. Regulars and those behind the scenes taking pictures, greeting new comers who’ve been awkwardly awaiting the words of many to spring from the page and out to the audience. I felt just an overall positive flow of energy that seems to seep from every individual’s soul as they entered. The dimly lit lounge type area in the back helps set the mood. Candles align the stage in an arrow leading to the Mic, where most of us can set our insecurities aside and find our courage.

Beats inspire the night’s activities permeating from Jeremiah’s laptop, who has been dubbed DJ of the night and our host of the night Donny takes the stage. His stature is at first sight intimidating, but his huge smile warms you right up and sets you at ease that he’ll steer us through this night just fine.

Donny jumped right in, urging people to sign up and introducing act after act. Adrianna Goffredo read her poem about a relationship gone awry. Any of us who have love and lost knows just exactly what she must’ve been feeling writing that poem. Something a little different swept the stage with Manny Montero’s cultural piece, all in Spanish. It sounded beautiful but some of the meaning may have been lost in translation. One of my favorites of the night was Chanese’s love song to God. She strummed, eyes shut tight the entire time and allowed her voice to flow free with everything she had inside herself. I actually got goose bumps from this girl! It really goes to show you the inspiration one can find with faith.

Aron was another one who seemed to get a lot of audience feedback. Aron spit a freestyle completely off the top off his dome. The mix of harsh lyrics over a soft acoustic sound came together brilliantly.

Our host, served to be quite comical in between acts. He couldn’t resist ad-libbing and cracking jokes, but hay! that’s what happens when you have such a responsive audience. His c-song definitely had me trying to refrain from giggling too loudly.

Brandon headed up the few last of the poets and came through with something a bit different. He opened up to us his doubts, his fears, his regrets. There’s something about vulnerability that helps us all remember we’re human. We all go through trials and tribulations. It’s especially times like these where poetry and self expression of all kind can come into your life and help you turn something negative into something positive.

Although the night seemed to move along like another other Vibe would, it proved to be just a little different this time around. Our featured artist being one that goes by the saying “no need for words,” he allowed his fingers do the talking with his acoustic set which always leaves me speechless. Sharing himself with us through the art of music.

Over all, I was grateful for the crowd’s willingness to listen, to trust, to follow and to share. I love this type of connection, the way poetry can get people in a community to share their stories, their hardships…themselves.

…. Come Vibe With Us…
-Dana DeCicco