Glen Rock High School had it’s annual Coffee House just last Thursday, an evening of artistic expression through language, song, and poetry. Hosted by Mobius, all students of different ages and experience levels are invited to come and participate in front of a live audience. As a first-time attendee, I had the privilege of experiencing a night filled with extraordinary talent and a welcoming environment.

 This event was a fantastic opportunity to be a part of, that not only had my attention but grasped it harder with every new act. This success, I realized, was not due solely to the sheer talent showcased, but the incredible atmosphere created by not just the lights and setup but the audience as well. 

As I entered through the cafeteria doors, the soft lights and small chatter from an abundant audience welcomed me into a different world. As I grabbed water and took my seat, the first act of the night came on. After a wonderful duet concluded, a wave of applause took me by surprise and I learned something special about Coffee House that Mrs. Wechtler, English teacher and head of the event, had shared with me earlier. 

“What it takes to get on stage and perform involves a lot of guts and vulnerability,” Wechtler said. “I think the big takeaway is that the community itself… we are so incredibly supportive. The theme of the night is come, be yourself, and your welcome here”. 

And welcome there I was. From bands that sounded seasoned to the discovery of unfamiliar songs and captivating poetry, the Coffee House seemed to transport me to a different planet. I got to experience all this in the company of some good friends as well as people I’d never met before, all with the same goal in mind — Supporting the ones they cared about. 

If you have the opportunity to attend the Coffee House, don’t miss it. This night is not something I would’ve normally attended, but I am so glad that I did. Rarely do you find a zone that is truly judgement-free and full of love, and the Coffee House was all that and more.

I’m eagerly looking forward to the next one in the spring and encourage you to be a part of it. You’ll be happy that you did, and who knows, you might find yourself signing up to perform!