Iburi Photography

Friday, Iburi Photography hosted the second annual Jackson Square Open Mic, drawing performers and community members for a night of music and stand-up comedy. 

On the first Friday of each month, Ibrui hosts an open mic at its study on Jackson Street in Batavia.

“We’re a very supportive group, and we really just genuinely enjoy spending time with everyone and uplifting people and just being a part of their creative outlet,” said sponsor Akari Lewis-Iburi. “It’s important to have that, to build community around that, and connect.”

Previously: Musicians 'share a part of ourselves' through open mics taking hold locally

To view photos, click here. 

A soft-spoken Tom Ryan was getting a snack before taking his turn to perform at a new event at GO ART! in Batavia. Added to a slowly growing list of open mics, this one, located at the corner of East Main and Bank streets downtown, takes place every third Friday at 6:30 p.m.

Ryan shared why he enjoys participating in open mics and why they seem to be growing in popularity, just before taking to the stage with his guitar and a song.

“It’s safe, it’s a safe space,” he said. “If I were getting paid to perform, that’s a different deal.”

GO ART! on East Main and Bank streets
Fellow crooner James Pastore set up this open mic session and hopes it will build an audience each month.

"In my experience, open mics help not only to bring people together, but they are a way in which we can support one another to be vulnerable and share a part of ourselves and our journeys. Oftentimes I find that the songs, pieces, or acts that people perform offer a glimpse into a deeper aspect of themself, whether that be one’s truth or perspective, their heart and wisdom, or one’s pain that we can all relate to in one way or another,” Pastore said. “That being said, I believe open mics can be a place for community to gather and be a light towards our greater humanity and connection. And it’s for this reason that I personally enjoy sharing and appreciate the chance to gain inspiration from others.

“GO ART! being the old historic and artistic building that it is, offers much to the local art community already, and I envision it to be another great venue for an open mic. In my opinion, music is an exceptional unifier of people,” he said. “I eagerly anticipate hearing pieces from various genres across different generations. And this open mic is not limited to only music; any poet, comedian, or spoken word artist is equally valued and would contribute to this community’s richness.”

Open mics are open
If you’ve been to an open mic, then you know the routine: musicians are on a first-come, first-served basis of performing in the order of a sign-up sheet, and depending on the venue, there may be an intro band or artist to get things going.

There are no cover charges — at least not locally — and patrons can get a beverage and food at some establishments while listening to locals strum a guitar, sing, tell jokes, or recite poetry as their own unique brand of talent.

VFW on Edward
Lee Moore has been performing in and operating an open mic at the VFW for the last decade. As much as he’s aware of these events, however, he only happened to stumble across one when he and a friend visited GO ART! for a drink one evening. That goes to show how even the most ardent followers can miss these live happenings under the cloak of modest promotion.

Moore doesn’t understand why more Batavia folks don’t attend his open mic at 6 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 25 Edwards St., Batavia. They’ve gotten up to a dozen musicians signed up to perform, he said, and the event used to be just once a month.

“It definitely grew. It was a struggle at first,” Moore said. “A couple of bands started as a result of it. It’s still vibrant, but we have a hard time getting Batavia people to come to ours. The whole band can come play, we have drums, piano, the whole set-up on stage, amplifiers and a PA system. They bring their own guitars.”

He estimated that about 25 to 30 people attend open mic nights, which used to be held in the bar and had become crowded, so the events were moved into the dining room. Musicians play five or six songs each, and are “quite talented,” Moore said.

“This is their chance to let out their talent, and quite a few folks come just to listen,” he said. “It’s a very inexpensive way to have music and bring people in. We don’t take any money, we just do it. It’s a good way to support the veterans — they serve bar food on those nights.”

Dan Dedo of Batavia goes to a lot of open mics, he said, on a Wednesday at VFW. He has also attended them at GO ART! and Iburi Photography at 35 Jackson St., Batavia.

“Those are all very great places to hear open mic. You never know what you’re going to get,” he said. “There’s a lot of great musical talent in town, and everybody has a different approach to their music, and it introduces me to new music as well. I play a little bit; I’m hoping that the open mic phenomenon continues to grow. It does encourage people to develop their musical skills, and it gets people of like interests to enjoy music.

“I think people are missing a great opportunity to hear some very talented musicians,” Dedo said. “It’s great entertainment and very inexpensive to come out and enjoy. We appreciate the musicians.”

His listening partner, Bonnie Dedo, added that “we always have a great time,” echoing Lee Moore’s question about attendance, “and we are wondering why there’s not a ton of people here, because it’s just so wonderful.”

Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, author Kurt Vonnegut says.

“Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possibly can,” the writer said, according to Tom Taylor in Far Out Magazine. “You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something.”

Taylor further stated that Vonnegut’s perspective “emphasizes the transformative and healing power of engaging with music and the arts, both for individuals and society at large.”

All it takes is a live concert of any musical genre to experience that power. Perhaps that’s why there has been a revival for open mics in the area, from the VFW’s longstanding monthly Wednesday sessions to Iburi Photography's more recent once-a-month Fridays that began 18 months ago, and late bloomer GO ART!, featuring a Saturday morning, self-funded series of local musicians in addition to the third Friday of the month with Pastore, and ongoing karaoke sessions.

Iburi Photography on Jackson
For the last two years, Iburi has even branched out of its in-house jams to sponsor a larger event in Jackson Square. This year's event is scheduled for 6 to 9:30 p.m. this Friday.

"So I think the main focus is having the community come out and perform. It's run like a standard open mic, first come, first served. You come up and sign up. People can play music. We've had some comedians come up. So whether you're a musician, a performer or a poet, we're open to all forms of creative expression," sponsor Akari Lewis-Iburi said, speaking also on behalf of her husband Kevin. “With our personal open mics, my husband’s a singer and songwriter, and I know that music is such an important part of his life to connect with people. And I think the open mics for us are a way to just have a space to build a community of people who are there to support each other.

“We're a very supportive group, and we really just genuinely enjoy spending time with everyone and uplifting people and just being a part of their creative outlet. And I think it's important to have that, to build community around that, and connect, because, I think they're popular because life is just so fast and everything's online now, and I think it's really great to have a space where we physically get together and just spend time together,” she said. 

“And oftentimes at the end of the night … I'd like to think it's a little different than the others, because we're not a bar, we're really just a venue, so I think people approach it a little differently too. They're not there to get a drink, they're there for the music or for the comedy or for the poets that are there," she said. "So I feel like it draws a different kind of people, and we see a lot of the same folks that come through, and it's so great. We look forward to that every month … it's nice to connect physically with people, just face to face.”

Iburi’s last event featured about 15 performers and drew nearly 50 people to listen, she said. Events at Jackson Square bring in more musicians and spectators, and this year’s open mic was moved up into June, away from the busier Fourth of July weekend. There is no fee to participate; however, Lewis-Iburi asks that performers be mindful of the family-oriented audience when making song and prose selections.

The regular Iburi open mics are at 6 p.m. (sign-ups) and music begins at 6:30 p.m. on the first Fridays of the month. 

Brandie, an open mic attendee, wrote online that she has connected with “so many supernova musicians and artisans since learning about this high vibe, open, co-creative space.”

“The local community is rich and diverse with singers, songwriters, poets, and comedians,” she said. “This last visit felt like such an episode. Oh my goodness, lotsa laughter and unexpected tears from a touching song towards the end of the evening … so grateful for the opportunity to connect and share our heart.”

Saturday Morning Coffeehouse Series
Eric Zwieg, an experienced rolling stone in his own right — figuratively, that is, having played at various venues in different states — had memories of an open mic in Georgia with a strict listening policy posted in the venue to emphasize a respectful process for musician and spectator alike; and another one in Allentown, “where I cut my teeth as a writer and player,” Zwieg said.

“The evening started at 7 p.m. with a featured local artist playing a one-hour set, followed by an open mic that often lasted until 4 a.m., followed by breakfast and boozy conversation down the street at The Towne Restaurant. It was an eclectic scene of endless musical genres, poetry, street performances, comedy, dramatic readings, etc.,” he said. “Michael Meldrum mentored thousands of musicians through the years, and it was his concept of having an opening act before the open mic that I suggested to Kevin and Akari at Iburi Photography that they have implemented with Parris (Zwieg) and Holly playing the first one. Parris and Holly went on to host a three-month residency at GO ART! because of the Iburi gig that included a number of their open mic participants.”

Zwieg began a Saturday morning live music series at GO ART!, stemming from his days of being a Rochester singer-songwriter in the 80s and 90s, playing gigs at restaurants for Sunday morning brunches.

“Back then, gigs didn’t start until 10 p.m. and could last until 3 a.m. The morning show provided an opportunity to commune with friends over breakfast and hear great music. So, when GO ART! opened their bakery Audrey’s, I thought it might be a nice pairing,” he said. “Music is a great communicator that needs no introduction. I invite people constantly by word of mouth, a grassroots approach, to try new music, venues, musicians, bands, and performers to listen and share space with something/someone new and different. It’s good for the soul and good for the community.”

The series features two artists on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the main gallery hosted by Henry Grace, Zwieg’s stage persona. Dialogue is encouraged between musicians and audience members via questions, stories, song selections, the writing process. There are three shows left before the next series begins in September.

There is also another open mic for a variety of talents, hosted by Dave Mollahan, every fourth Friday night at GO ART! Sign ups start at 6:30 and show opens at 7 p.m.

Press Release:

Join us for an unforgettable evening of creativity and community in Jackson Square in Batavia on Friday, July 5, from 6 - 10 p.m. Presented by Jo David Arts and Iburi Photography, this special event promises a rich blend of live performances, visual arts, and an electrifying DJ set to close the night.

Kicking off the evening at 5:30 PM, performers can sign up for the Open Mic session, which runs from 6 - 9 p.m. Musicians and performers are encouraged to take the stage at Jackson Square and share their talents. Kevin Lewis-Iburi will host the open Mic, with Scotty DiMartino of Esdee Entertainment closing the night with an epic DJ set and light show.

GO ART! will be bringing their First Friday Open Art Session to the Square. Artists of all media are invited to bring their latest pieces or start new ones. While tables will be set up for convenience, artists are welcome to bring their easels and create in the open air.

"We're excited to bring this event to Jackson Square," said Mary Jo Whitman of Jo David Arts. "This is a great opportunity for local performers and artists to showcase their work and connect with the community in a fun and supportive environment."

Akari Lewis-Iburi of Iburi Photography added, "It's been humbling to witness the talent, musicianship, and comradery of Batavia light up our open mics at the studio this year. We are so thrilled to collaborate with Jo David Arts and GO ART!'s First Friday Open Art Session to bring our open mic performers on stage for a unique immersive art experience!"

This free event is open to the public, making it a perfect outing for anyone looking to experience the vibrant art scene in Batavia. Mark your calendars for Friday, July 5, and join us at Jackson Square for a night of artistic expression and entertainment you won't want to miss!

For more information on Open Mic contact: Iburi Photography at info@iburiphotography.com.

For more information on Open Art Sessions contact: Mary Jo at mjwhitman@goart.org. 

Akari Lewis-Iburi and Shin Iburi are mixing a keen eye for light and shadow and composition to capture the special moments and occasions of area families and couples.

Their success so far has made it possible for the brother and sister team to open a photography studio in Downtown Batavia.

They've been working together as photographers for more than a decade.

Akari Lewis-Iburi was always interested in photography, she said. She took her first photojournalism class in high school and continued photography as a hobby into college. 

It wasn’t until deep into her college career that her brother asked her to go photograph a wedding for the first time. 

“It was the summer of my senior year in college,” Akari recalled. “I was an English major, but I actually wanted to be a journalist. I was really interested in photojournalism. My brother got asked to shoot a wedding, and that was our first wedding together. From there, it kind of snowballed.” 

The pair now owns and operates a photography studio that specializes in weddings, engagements, senior photos, family photos and maternity shoots. Pulling from her journalistic roots, both Akari Lewis-Iburi and Shin Iburi mix the art of being a wallflower and staging engaging photos. Customers can expect to receive images that feel both beautiful and natural. 

Since moving into the new, larger studio space, the siblings hope to install a projector screen within the studio. The pair believes that it will help the couples reminisce about their wedding day in a new way. 

“I want them to feel what they felt on their wedding day,” Akari said. “I want them to look back on that moment and feel those feelings again. It’ll be a nice closure to our working relationship.” 

Akari also plans to make her new studio space a place for communal gatherings. Since experiencing live music has also been one of her passions, she foresees the studio place to host live music nights showcasing local bands and open mic nights. 

“When I was a kid growing up here, there was this cool coffee shop on main street,” she said. “I just want to give a space for original music.”

Iburi Photography is located at 35 Jackson St. in Batavia.