Music, Poetry, and Community: Open Mic Nights in Downtown Holly's Battle Alley

Music, Poetry, and Community: Open Mic Nights in Downtown Holly’s Battle Alley

(Crystal A. Proxmire, July 24, 2023)

Holly, MI – On the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, Battle Alley in Downtown Holly becomes a stage for anyone who wants to sing, play music, read poetry, or perform. The free gatherings were started by Linda Stouffer who owns Battle Alley Coffee, adjacent to the alley itself.

“We actually had the first open mic the week after our devastating fire,” Stouffer said. “I thought it would be a good idea to bring the community together, with the devastation as a backdrop, to bring healing and hope.”

Over the past year, the gatherings have grown to include 5-6 performers, mainly those singing. It isn’t a karoke event, but people bringing their own instruments. Guitar is a popular choice, but they’ve also had a keyboard, a harmonica, and a fiddle worked into the mix.

“I love the community aspect to it. The music is great and people just have a great time,” Stouffer said. While she doesn’t take the mic herself, when her husband Pete starts singing, Linda says he is her favorite.

Nick Klemp, Director of Downtown Holly Development Authority, told Oakland County Times “The turn out has been great so far- we have 5 or 6 musicians come for each one and many people come to get ice cream, coffee or dinner and then come sit in the alley and listen to the music.”

“The open mic night in Battle Alley really fits in with the vibe of Holly of just being that great place to come and shop, hang out, eat, and lose track of time. When you step into Battle Alley and there is a nice breeze and you are eating ice cream and listening to music it is as if time stops and you can just sit and relax with your community friends,” Klemp said.

The effort has been so successful that Battle Alley Coffee and Holly DDA partnered on and received a grant through Main Street America and American Express to buy new portable equipment for the Open Mic Nights. That should be arriving soon to make the events even better.

Battle Alley Open Mic takes place every 2nd and 4th Thursday from 6:30pm-8pm. For those who want to sing or speak, is best to sign up before hand in case the spots fill up.The sign up form is available at www.MainStreetHolly.com.

For those who may not make it on those days, “There are always things going on in Holly,” Klempp said. “Check out our website for more visitor information like events, businesses in the DDA, area attractions, places to stay and more! If there isn’t an event plan a day to just come and shop, eat and hang out in Holly!”