Open mic a rare commodity

By Paul de la Peña-Franceschi

Recently I walked into a grooving place on Guadalupe Street, which used to be one of the many hole in the wall dives that once played host to neighborhood beer drinkers. Espumas Café and Pub, once a cantina, and once a gas station, is now a thriving venue for young artists and aspiring poets looking to share their thoughts and opinions with the world.
On Wednesday nights from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Espumas Café and Pub hosts an open mic night, and the café is transformed into a lively bohemian pub. The evening is hosted by Michelle M. C. Hix, a published poet and member of the Sun Poets Society in San Antonio. The space is filled with overstuffed sofas and a number of comfortable dinner tables, and the service is always friendly and crisp, as though you are being entertained at someone's home. As artists and poets trickle in, the air is filled with the buzz of new energy. The tedium of the day falls away and gives way to new songs and rhythms.
On my first visit to Espumas on open mic night, I heard songs entitled "Blood on the Ground," "Two Coins," "My Mind Somewhere Else" (dedicated to world peace), "High Tide," "Out Loud," "Call of the Innocent" (dedicated to all the innocents in the world), and more. There were a variety of poets, and a few participants read original prose material. The evening closed with a stunning a capella version of Sinead O'Connor's "Black Boys on Mopeds" sung by Cynthia Garza.
Espumas Café and Pub and is owned and operated by Gloria Lugo, who has enlisted the help of her sister Consuelo Ramirez. Lugo put much time and thought into offering Lareodans a casual, upbeat place to sip espresso, surf the internet, play a board game, or debate global issues. During the day you can pick up a shot of excellent espresso or a variety of flavored cappuccinos. The Espumas menu is simple, and offers probably the best hot Rueben sandwich in Laredo. The daily soups are also a nice change from the lack of fresh soups in town.
Dining-wise, Espumas certainly offers a breath of fresh air. Intellectually it offers a subculture of life and art in a comfy setting. For a good time and something unusual, check out Espumas Pub and Café Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturdays from 3 p.m. to midnight. Espumas will host the first ever Laredo Labor Day Weekend Arts Festival, August 29 and 30, 2003. For more info on Espumas or the upcoming Arts Festival call 645-6807.