Coffee and arts come together for upcoming open mic event

By Jessica Ercolino, Staff Writer
   ROBBINSVILLE — A Central Jersey performing arts group is looking for area residents to ‘espress(o)’ themselves at a local coffeehouse.
   The Cultural Arts Expression, a group of more than 40 local artists, is holding two upcoming open mic and showcase nights at the It’s a Grind coffeehouse in Washington Town Center on Route 33.
   ”This is a chance for that living room artist that has not had that opportunity to put their work out in the limelight,” said Cultural Arts Expression founder Elizabeth Stelling. “I have found that this area is a mecca for artists, writers and musicians that want to get into the professional light to practice and hone their skills without feeling judged.”
   The It’s a Grind showcases are open to artists from any medium — spoken word, graphic, musical— and of any skill level, she said. The events will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 10 and Nov. 8. There is no cost to perform or attend.
   A chef originally from Texas, Ms. Stelling plans to perform a “mix of Southern humor and reflective pieces.” She is also the founder of cookappeal.com, a boutique catering, event planning and customized prepared food service.
   ”I call myself a poet-chef connoisseur,” said the Princeton resident, adding that she is currently penning a novella and publishing a poetry book called “Cast Iron Tempo.”
   Founded in February of this year, the Cultural Arts Expression plans to meet for these type of showcases every other Wednesday throughout fall at It’s a Grind in Robbinsville and every other Tuesday at the coffeehouse’s other location in Plainsboro.
   ”This group started to represent the art-district style, coffeehouse open mics for literary writers, poets and acoustic musicians,” Ms. Stelling said, adding that the group membership ranges from teachers and students to retired surgeons and empty-nesters, and everyone in between.
   Karl Dentino, a 52-year-old West Windsor resident and assistant organizer of the group, said he has been playing guitar for 35 years, but had never performed in any formal capacity. He joined the Expression after seeing a listing in his local paper.
   ”The thread that unites everyone is the encouragement and support we give each other,” he said. “The experience has done wonders for my confidence as a solo artist.”
   It’s a Grind, which opened its Robbinsville location in January, has the perfect atmosphere for the event, Ms. Stelling said.
   ”(It) has that home feel when you walk in… plenty of chairs outside and inside, a great (public address) system for the performances to be heard,” she said. “We find that many who are working on their computers end up enjoying our work and they get work done with a smile.”
   Artists will be allowed to submit three selections of work. Anyone interested in participating must sign up beforehand by contacting Elizabeth Stelling at [email protected]. For more information, visit the Cultural Arts Expression Web site, poetry.meetup.com/506/.