Wendy Chen’s Reflections of Stage Time and Wine LI, February 2014

Wendy Chen’s Reflections of Stage Time and Wine LI

The sound of the heartbeat comes in different forms at the Red Room. With every performer, comes a new form of self-expression. At times, it is in the guise of the condensed words of a poet; at other times, it is simply the melody of a Kate Nash’s song titled “D**khead.” In any case, I am always ready to listen because I understand that this heartbeat is the passion within the performers. Every third Saturday of the month, artists of all sorts–musicians, poets, writers, and painters–and cultural aficionados from every possible corner of the world gather at the Red Room for one purpose only: to share and support each other’s art.

Poet Outis is an African American poet from Indiana who strongly resembles an Ancient Greek orator–he utilizes the technique of memorization and theatre training to bring his words to life.In an online interview, he reveals that he was first recommended to the Red Room by Kung Fu enthusiast, David Gentile, “but also several musicians and actors referred me to Red Room as well.” The Red Room is, indeed, very well hidden; we are almost like a myth, except we exist and for those who find us, they deem us as a shelter from the daily cacophonies of the city. Outis also adds that, “Red Room is attractive [because it] allows actors and artists to have a place to count on.”

“I love Red Room’s atmosphere,” says music student Anya Chau. “People are ready to listen and be respectful to others.” Anya has the voice of a nymph and steady fingers of Jimi Hendrix–the combination of the two turned me into an instant fan craving for more.To appease the shouts of “encore,” Anya plays a song off the top of her head called “D**khead” by Kate Nash. Anya is, at first, hesitant about voicing a mixture of soft melody and offensive words. But with Manav the MC and his drums at Anya’s side, the impromptu performance quickly evolves into a fun and quirky segment.”I’ve performed at Red Room a few times before, it’s fun,” says Anya Chau, “I had missed the last few Red Rooms when I was in America [for school, but] since I was back I didn’t want to miss [the latest one].” Anya and her brother, Andrew, have been with Red Room since the beginning. Andrew is Red Room’s drama instructor for kids and young adults, and he is at almost every Stage Time and Wine–just sitting in the audience and listening to the inner soul of every performer.

At Stage Time and Wine, I can’t emphasize the culture of listening enough because listening is truly an amazing process. If I did not stop to listen today, I wouldn’t have recognized the Brazilian diplomat by the name of Jean R. M. Taruhn to resemble the charm of Enrique Iglesias; and I would not have understood how a painter somehow miraculously merged her art with her friend’s classical music.The Stage Time and Wine experience is new every time, thanks to the individuals that attend. As a Red Room intern, it is most meaningful to notice performers willing to amplify their most inner selves and let go of all the boundaries and simply trust the community. I believe that is what makes Stage Time and Wine something truly special each and every time.

Wendy Chen is a Red Room intern and a student at National Taiwan University.

Wendy is a Taiwanese diplobrat who’s spent more than ten years abroad. She’s followed her father to Singapore, Brunei, New York, Miami, and New Zealand. Wendy is an aspiring writer who has had no interest in reading or writing until her parents had made the decision for her to become an English major at National Taiwan University four years ago. She started to develop a strong passion for writing after she has contributed several articles to the newsletters in her department and her school; since then, she has found her calling and never stopped working to achieve her goal.

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