Come join us Friday December 4th at 7.30 for our monthly Coffeehouse Jam!

For almost five years, the monthly Coffeehouse Jams at Studio Connections have brought poetry, music, personal narratives, comedy and even musical theater to eastsiders who’d rather not make the trek downtown.

“We try to make it a family-friendly entertainment night,” explains Maria Alburtus. As part of the artistic team at Studio Connections, she is involved with the acting and dance departments, but on the first Friday of every month, she’s the person who will let you know what time your Coffeehouse Jam act starts. Everyone is invited to perform, she says, and she’s the one you’ll check in with.

She explains that the event offers a great way for newer performers to get their work out there, to practice and to get comfortable with performing.

“There are all different age groups and all ranges of talents,” she says. She describes the atmosphere as relaxed and laid-back, but never completely quiet.

All proceeds from the open-mic event will go to Studio Connections’ theater troupe, the DaVinci Players.

She says that Tucson was sorely in need of an arts organization on the eastside, so in 2002—starting with just a middle school summer camp—Studio Connections was created.

“Downtown is full of it,” she says. “We needed something out here.”

About to obtain official nonprofit status, Studio Connections has programs in acting, dance and visual arts. Alburtus says that the Coffeehouse Jam event, in particular, is a way for everyone to come together and appreciate each other’s talents.

“We’re all getting together to enjoy all forms of art as a community,” she says.

Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children and students.

Article originally appeared in Tucson Weekly: City Week, August 2009.