‘Culture Cafe’ draws low turnout

Students, faculty, and a Ohio Wesleyan alumna explored various creative outlets at this semester’s Culture Cafe.

Attendance was fewer than for September’s Culture Cafe, however Peter Szabo, music and public services librarian who hosted the event, said he felt satisfied.

“The smaller crowd created a more intimate, supportive environment for the performers,” said Szabo.

“We had a lovely little sing along at the end to Woody Guthrie’s ‘This Land is Your Land’,” added Jillian Maruskin, Public Services librarian and co-organizer of the event. Maruskin also read a poem aloud.

Szabo said he hopes to ramp up attendance by increasing publicity and awareness.

“Facebook seems to work very well,” said Szabo. “[The small attendance] is also likely due, in part, to the fact that many students have exams coming up,” Szabo said, “Back in September, students probably had more free time.”

Maruskin said, “I loved all the performances, I can’t pick a favorite.”

Maruskin added, “Ryan Haddad’s piece was exceptionally stunning.”

Haddad, junior, preformed a monologue that was excerpted from a longer solo performance. His reading induced laughs and cheers from the crowd as he removed his shirt halfway through the comedic and adult-themed piece.

Szabo said he plans to host another Culture Cafe event in April.