On Tuesday, April 21, from 6 to 8 p.m., the Tri-M Music Honor Society hosted its annual Thrift Shop Open Mic Night on the lower quad, bringing together live music, student-run food stands, and a community thrift sale. The event combined performances from student musicians with a relaxed, social atmosphere where attendees could shop, eat, and spend time with friends.
The open mic portion of the night featured a mix of planned and spontaneous performances from students across CHS music programs. While some performers were Tri-M members fulfilling performance requirements, others signed up during the event to take the stage.
Sophomore Miles Ikari described the event as both social and engaging.
“It was really fun. I saw a lot of people that I don’t normally see outside of school and we all hung out,” Ikari said. “There was chai, there was matcha, there were baked goods like cookies and brownies… It was a great way to really form a community outside of what you see in class.”
In addition to performances, the thrift shop featured donated clothing collected from students and music program members in the weeks leading up to the event. Items were sold throughout the night as a fundraiser for the music program.
Tri-M member Jade Redfield explained how the event was organized.
“We collect clothes from members of Tri-M, members of the music program, anyone who wants to donate, and then we sell them at the event,” Redfield said. “We also had a matcha stand run by students and a treat stand to raise money for things like graduation cords.”
Redfield also highlighted how the open mic works.
“To be a member in Tri-M, you have to perform at events twice a year, so this was one of those opportunities,” Redfield said. “After that, it becomes an open mic, and anyone can sign up and perform.”
Alongside the thrift shop and performances, students ran a drink and snack stand offering items such as matcha, chai, and baked goods.
Sophomore Kaelyn Ramirez noted the uniqueness of the event.
“I feel like it was a very open activity where people could talk and shop,” Ramirez said. “There’s just not a lot of fundraisers that are similar.”
Many attendees also highlighted the welcoming and relaxed atmosphere of the night.
“It was really fun, and it was just a nice night to relax,” sophomore Hunter Mahoney said. “I liked seeing everyone perform, especially my friends who went up on stage.”
The combination of music, food, and thrifting had a positive response from students.
“I would definitely go again,” Ramirez said. “It feels like just hanging out with your friends, except with people you wouldn’t usually hang out with.”
Overall, the Thrift Shop Open Mic Night provided a mix of community and sustainability, giving students a chance to showcase their talents and support fellow students.
