By Kelsey Curtis ('27)
This fall brings changes to Coffeehouse as Evelyn Simanowski (‘25) takes on coordinating the Campus Activity Board (CAB) sponsored event. Coffeehouse is a time when people gather in Java 101 to hear their peers perform—typically a set of music—and partake in “Open Mic Nights” where anyone can sign up and share their musical and non-musical talents. In past years, audiences could gather around the stage every Thursday at 8 p.m. This year, however, Simanowski changed the event to bi-weekly at the same time.
There are still plenty of opportunities to share talent through the event even though it will happen less. Simanowski shared that they are introducing the Coffeehouse Collective, a “collection of [art] pieces by several student artists” and a rotating showcase throughout the year. She expressed her excitement for this expansion of Coffeehouse’s scope.
Simanowski believes “Coffeehouse has the potential to be a collection of all artists, not just musicians, that want to create space and opportunities for artistic expression.”
Seven pieces, each by a different Houghton student, currently hang in Java and display various art styles.
Student and avid Coffeehouse-goer, Sarah Brunone (‘27) expressed her excitement about the Collective’s unveiling.
“There’s new art on the wall, which is super cool,” she shared.
Brunone also appreciated that the new art helped give more variety to the artists Coffeehouse celebrates and added to the “cozy vibe” of Java. Simanowski’s goal to support all artists’ expression is already appreciated by adding the Collective to the “lineup of acts” for Coffeehouse.
Previous performers feel the same support and joy in Coffeehouse as Brunone experiences and that Simanowski aims to create this year. Melanie Cogan (‘27), who performed numerous times, witnessed this phenomenon last fall when she headlined for the first time.
“I ran through my set list in 30 minutes and resorted to a ukulele rendition of ‘Me Want Bite’, which was pretty special and if you know you know,” she recalled.
Cogan specifically expressed how grateful she was for a “receptive audience” that she could “try something new with” and still have the same excitement and support behind her.
Chiara Iantorno (‘28) had a similar positive experience when she performed for the first time in September.
“The ambiance and coziness of Java helped me feel very relaxed, even as I was about to perform,” Iantorno shared. “During the set, everyone watching was so supportive and seemed to be having a good time.”
Even for first-time performers, Coffeehouse fosters love and encouragement in an extraordinary way. Sophia Vernon (‘26) works at Java and can attest to the unique atmosphere the event creates.
“When people start filling up Java for Coffeehouse it is the most wonderful hum of college students in community with one another,” she observed.
Vernon goes as far as to deem it her favorite shift because she gets to interact with “so many people in a nice, chill, ambient environment.”
The most recent Coffeehouse was on Oct. 17. Matthias Willistein (‘28) performed his set of acoustic and vocal music. Simanowski was excited to introduce a new performer and encourages anyone who wants to perform for Coffeehouse or display their art in Java to email her (evelyn.simanowski25@houghton.edu). ★
