Musicians Flock to Starbucks for Open Mic Night

Last Friday night, March 14, 2014, saw the second Open Mic night at Starbucks at 1241 East Washington in Colton. Devon Schellinger, Assistant Manager at the store said she had wanted to start the Open Mic Nights at the site about two years ago, having a desire to bring back the classic “feel” of an old coffee house vibe with the Open Mic. Recently her District Manager Sherry Dibble said ‘Go for it’ so she did. About 125 people sat and stood around in the outside patio area listening to and cheering on the various musicians. Ukulele player Tom Robles sang some traditional Hawaiian tunes. He explained that his grandfather Ralph Robles had loved the actor Steve Martin, and the song ‘Tonight You Belong to Me’ that Martin had played on the ukulele in the movie The Jerk. “So that was the first song I learned to play because my grandfather loved it so much. My grandmother is here tonight,” he said pointing to her, “So I played it for her.” Robles, an employee of the Colton Community Services Department said this was his first time at the Open Mic Night at Starbucks, but that he welcomed the opportunity to entertain people. “I love entertaining, it brings people together, look around, there are all kinds of people from all walks of life. I love it!” In the crowd a proud grandpa, Chester Easter, had driven all the way from Paso Robles to be part of this night in support of his grandson Derek Cornell. “This is his first Open Mic Night at Starbucks,” said Easter, who took video as Cornell played his set. Cornell was there with his acoustic Indie group called Fall Begins, which included Nick Hornbeck, Zach and Kyle Taylor and Lauren Carlson. Mom Tava Cornell of Yucaipa was taking pictures of the group as their friends and family had come to lend support. June Roybal of Grand Terrace shared several songs and then spent times with her friends and family. “I love this opportunity to share the creativity music brings with close friends, and I love the chance to listen to other artists, being together, among everyone,” said Roybal. “And coffee is a wonderful thing that brings people together.” Sirens stopped performances for a few seconds as an ambulance zoomed by and the night began to turn a little chilly. But everyone was chatting and enjoying the ambiance and most just grabbed a sweater or a jacket from their cars and stayed the two hours until the last artist was done. Schellinger and her Supervisor Erin Hornbuck plan to have an Open Mic Night every second Friday of each month (the next one on April 11, 2014) from 6:30 p.m. for registration, and then performances starting at 7 p.m. and continuing until 9 p.m. Those who are interested in coming out to the Open Mic Night are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs.