The Lumberjack

Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: Community

Media Credit: Heather Birchard Carmen King, an Economics major, plays guitar for Wandering Menstruals at Muddy's Hot Cup.

It's a Monday night. After a long day of sitting in class or work or both, the last thing one wants is to be home alone and bored. Is there anything to do that's free, fun and possibly satisfying?

Monday nights from 8 to 10 p.m. offers free live music, a seat, and a cup of coffee at Arcata's Muddy's Hot Cup on G Street. It is weekly open-microphone collective of female musicians, poets, music appreciators and performers called Wandering Menstrual.

"It's an amazing opportunity for women to share voice bonding," said Dani-Joy Smithsen, an occasional performer, community member and regular of open mic. "There should be more places for women's voices to share."

Walking in one finds a warmly-lit room adorned with hardwood floors, a dozen or so tables and two bar stool areas. There is a deli/ coffee counter up in front for drinks and snacks. The room is filled with people, mostly girls, laughing at the joking antics of the MC up on well-lit stage in the back.

Wandering Menstrual was established in October 2006. At first it was just three Humboldt State University students, Carmen King (Economics/Environmental Resource major), Melody Walker (Music/voice major), and Nola Victrola, who just wanted to have their own band as another outlet for their musical expression.

"After much playing around with different names we came up with Wandering Menstruals, and I said OK," said Carmen King, a fourth year student majoring in Economics. "So we started setting up at Eastside Deli, and it sort of turned into an open-mic. We became kinda too popular for that spot, so now we are here at Muddy's."

With the collective collaboration of music, poetry, dance, food, comedy and creative community participation, not to mention Carmen's dildo jokes, Wandering Mentruals provides a safe comfortable forum for women to express themselves.

"I look forward to Bloody Monday at Muddy's," said Rebecca Olka, an Arcata resident and Humboldt State graduate, "This brings a warm relaxing flow to my day. Plus it's a fun crowd."

"Carmen is the most charismatic MC I have seen in my whole life," said Carmen King, Humboldt State graduate and Muddy's Hot Cup barista. "She has stage presence she should take to the screen."

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools