Deb Koffman
By Lisa Green
There’s only one rule at Deb Koffman’s open mic. You get five minutes, and for a few reasons: so that everyone who wants to can share, and so that if someone’s contribution is, well, not exactly stellar, it’s over before things get too uncomfortable.
But from what I experienced at the
IWOW (In Words Out Words) evening a few weeks ago, in most cases, the five-minute allotments left the audience wanting more, not less.
Artist
Deb Koffman invited the existing IWOW into her studio in Housatonic, Mass. in 2004. You’re likely to recognize Koffman’s colorful, whimsical artwork and inspirational or humorous messages, many of them devoted to inspiring one’s creativity. So on the first Tuesday of every month, the cheerful space draws in poets, storytellers, musicians and artists of any medium who come together to express their voices in a safe and supportive environment.
Rudi Bach; Frank Gioia's cast; Kristin Grippo.
“The person who originally started IWOW was leaving town and I took it over," Koffman says. “It was such a great community event, I couldn’t let it die. There were maybe a dozen people the first year, but now we get a full house almost every month. Some of the people have been performing for over 10 years."
Koffman’s Artspace is about as welcoming as you can get. Bright white walls set the backdrop for her effervescent cards, posters, books, fancifully painted furniture, and an oversized fireside backdrop on a stage to set the scene. Food and drink help, too — some provided by Koffman, some contributed by the performers.
And a varied group it is: people in their 20s and up. Published writers and those who have just begun to write. Guitarists and a budding playwright. It’s clear some have been participating for a long time (they’re met with hugs and greetings at the door), while newbies are given an extra round of applause and encouragement.
Each evening has a theme and a host. On this night, Dan Ruderman from Great Barrington acted as the emcee. He’s a businessman, but IWOW satisfies a new passion. “A few years ago, I decided to start doing something creative, to express myself," he says.
Jeanne Bassis, Barbara Rubin, a welcoming entrance.
He’s in good company. First up was Rudi Bach, a vocal coach and acting teacher, who read a set of poems. Frank Gioia brought along a posse to enact a scene from his work-in-progress play. Barbara Rubin, who, as a matter of course, writes poems as birthday presents to her many women friends, read a few of her lovely tributes.
Setting a pensive mood, guitarist Tom Norton played Simon & Garfunkel’s “America," a fitting tune on Super Tuesday (this is Massachusetts, after all). Kristin Grippo pulled out a fourth-grade project she created about her best friend, Emily, and then mesmerized the audience with a history of their friendship that deserved more than five minutes to spin out.
“This is an unconditionally accepting audience," says Jeanne Bassis, she of the purple-eared hat, who got the crowd singing “Tingolayo" with her. Twenty or so brave souls expressed themselves that night, and if all of them didn’t hew to the theme of friendship, it didn’t matter. The evening was imbued with it anyway.
“What a wonderful night," Ruderman said as he wound up the performance part of the evening. “I feel like I’m in a roomful of friends."
IWOW (In Words Out Words) Open Mic
Deb Koffman's Artspace
137 Front St., Housatonic, MA
First Tuesday of every month, 7-9 p.m.
To participate, sign up by calling (413) 274-1201
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