Review: The PLU Open Stream

11 June 2020. The lockdown has been partially lifted in Paris but many restrictions are still in place.

For one unique evening the PLU Open Mic returned in a sleek new incarnation: a hybrid of the actual and virtual worlds, so like our lives. See the entire performance here at your leisure. Brought to you by the magic of GoPros, phone apps, a little planning, and some elbow grease, we returned to our old stomping ground, Culture Rapide, historic haven for poets and slam artists since the 1980’s, forbidden since the start of the pandemic.

“Welcome to the first ever PLU live stream.” Ed Bell, hosting this historic event.

Taking care to never exceed ten attendees at any moment, the Open Stream event allowed us to continue to gather, share our work, make art, and collaborate with other artists despite the fetters of the lockdown. As one watcher, PLU-friend Bruno Franceschi, noted: “Watching this on my phone from the south of France I feel like I’m with you in Belleville.”

Likes, numbers of watchers, comments from the viewers at home being read on the stage: the people at home were absorbed and included into the show. The energy flowed from stage to screen, and back - the results were contagious.

“You never lived because you never spoke the truth.” Leah Soreiro takes the stage

Tremendous thanks to the artists who contributed to this transitional moment, braving the rain and uncertainty. Stay tuned on Thursday nights as the PLU Open mic returns to its regularly scheduled programming, and we can gather in the flesh. Thanks also to Culture Rapide for opening their doors to us once again. As Ed said, “Yes, poets are the best. We’re the only ones currently inside a bar.”

“Yes, poets are the best. We’re the only ones currently inside a bar.”