I arrived at 236 E 3rd St. at 8:50PM on a Monday for Open Mic night. The line outside was short but I could feel people’s enthusiasm. I stood at the end of the line and waited for the bouncer to let us in. While waiting in line, people were carrying musical instruments and some of them were singing Waterfalls from TLC. It was a really diverse group, judging from the clothing to the looks, it was a micro version of what I consider Interculturalism. A group of people with different backgrounds able to interact with each other, interact with respect and reflecting on those interactions.
At 9PM I paid $7 to go in: a small crowd, according to the hostess. I got a Red Stripe and sat down before the show started. Following the hostess’ words, I introduced myself to the people surrounding me, the entire audience did, it seems like part of the protocol. Once the show started, there were poems, songs and spoken words about identity, oppression, the government, feminism, addictions and losses. It was interesting to see how a place that started as a space to provide opportunities for Puerto Rican artists in New York has evolved into an intercultural hub.
“New SHIT!” or “_______ SHIT” was the most used phrase of the night. Every time someone presented new material, the crowd yelled “NEW SHIT!.” That particular phrase got me thinking about what it really means. NEW SHIT! is what we as society should be striving for. New SHIT! is what artists and designers are creating in order to evoke new changes. Personally, I see New as the innovative, unique and interactive creations that incite dialogue. SHIT! is that ordinary aspect of our lives, the slang inside each one of us, it is what makes us human, it is what makes us real.
En-yeh 
Interestingly put! Consider joining the words and splitting them differently. That process will take place when the (New Shit) becomes a (News Hit) and all over there’ll be (New Hits)! Good God, I’d now fall for the newness and might start to call the (New Shit) as the (New This)!
Got me thinking a lot, I’m not sure if the above mentioned was really your intention to explain, but I learnt more than what you could just teach! Lovely!
Hi Chad,
Yes, I love all those splitting and joining of words. Mainly, my intention was to encourage a look at the concepts behind words, and for that matter the concept behind language and its flexibility. It was certainly a fun night, planning on going back soon. Thanks for your comment.