HIGHLIGHTED PERFORMER DOMINIC RUTHERFORD SINGS AT KAVÉ

BY HALEY REEDY

Every Thursday a coffee shop in Barberton named Kavé hosts an open-mic night. This open-mic night provides opportunities for people from all over to come together to listen and perform.

“The goal was to host an event, not at a bar where local youth performers could feel comfortable performing in front of a crowd,” said Ryan Struckel, the General Manager of Kavé. “We want to make sure that there is a space in the community for people under the age of 21 to grow and explore their talents in a constructive way, and we believe that hosting an Open Mic onstage in a family-friendly establishment is one of the best ways to provide that experience.”

Thursday, February 23, Dominic Rutherford, a junior at Green High School performed 3 songs at an open-mic night.

“I just came here during summer once and I heard about it [open-mic night] and I came to watch a couple of performances,” Rutherford said. ”Then after watching a couple I built up the courage to actually want to perform.

The open-mic night gives people the chance to try something new that they have not tried before. “[I started performing] just very recently compared to some of the other people here, I’ve only been playing here for a few months,” Rutherford said. “I started playing in December.”

The three songs that Rutherford sang were all written by Canadian singer Mac DeMarco. Rutherford sang “K”, “This Old Dog” and “Preoccupied”.

“I like how he sounds and partially the fact that he’s easy for me [to sing], there are obviously things that are outside of my [vocal] range.”

Rutherford said, “I’m sort of an amateur when it comes to this, so it’s nice to have something that isn’t going to strain [my voice].”

On this open-mic night, there were around 20-25 people gathered