Saratoga library’s coffeehouse brings students together

Teens from multiple schools gathered for a night of entertainment and free food March 1 when the Saratoga Library hosted its third Coffeehouse, an event planned by the Teen Advisory Board (TAB).

TAB member senior Ashley Joshi said that at the Coffeehouse, people could perform in front of an audience in a coffee-shop setting. Coffee and snacks, provided by the library, were available for the audience to enjoy as the performers were on stage.

“Coffeehouse is an event put on by the Saratoga Library Teen Advisory Board to showcase teen talent where teens can find a place to perform,” Joshi said. “They can sing, dance, do magic or play instruments.”

According to Joshi, the TAB started the preparations for the event around the beginning of February.

“[The TAB] helps plan and makes sure there is food, drinks, and makes sure people sign up for it,” Joshi said. “[We] also publicize the event on facebook and we put up flyers in local areas.”

Joshi added that the previous Coffeehouse received a lot of positive feedback. Joshi explained that several people wanted there to be another one, but due to the change of teen librarians, it was difficult to find time to plan one.

According to Joshi, Coffeehouse is a great way for teens to meet people from different schools.

“Saratoga is kind of small and there are not a lot of community events that we have to let teens showcase what they can do,” Joshi said.

Senior Edward Dong, who read poetry at the coffeehouse, said the event gave him a great opportunity to meet other aspiring poets.

“I came because I really wanted to meet other poets, and artists from other schools,” Dong said. “I wanted to meet other people from other schools because in the Bay Area we do have a common culture, but we don’t have many places to showcase that.”

Dong added that meeting other students with the same interest gives him ideas for his own poetry.

“Listening to other people read their poetry is more influential than reading Shakespeare because it feels a lot closer and a lot more dynamic,” Dong said.