Waltham Open Mic Night helps Grandma’s Pantry

Waltham Open Mic Night not only puts area performers in the spotlight but also offers audience members a chance to help those experiencing food insecurity.

Organizers Michelle Hache and her husband Roger Jermyn pass around a hat — or Patriots football helmet — during shows so audience members can give what they can to Grandma’s Pantry, which is run by Christ Church Waltham.

Because the open mic nights take place at the church, the Waltham couple felt that helping the pantry, which serves city residents 60 and older, seemed like a good fit.

“It’s a very supportive community,” said Hache, who is a storyteller and fourth grade teacher at Plympton Elementary School.

The timing of the next free show on Nov. 8 is almost prescient, given the unclear fate of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Although two federal judges on Friday, Oct. 31, ordered President Donald Trump’s administration to pay for SNAP using emergency reserve funds, there still will be a delay in funding that will impact millions of Americans, according to multiple news sources, including the Associated Press. 

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Hache and Jermyn, a singer-songwriter who plays acoustic folk rock during the open mic nights, held the first show on Dec. 27, 2024.

Nov. 8 marks the fourth time they’ll have hosted the event. They hope to increase the number of performances in the future.

“We’d like to try and do it every other month,” said Hache. “We’d really like it to grow.”

Veterans of the open mic circuit throughout the state, the couple decided to create their own series in the city where musical and spoken-word performances could be held together.

“At a lot of venues, it’s one or the other,” she said.

“We know how hard it is to find places to perform,” said Jermyn.

Because entertainers sign up in person about a half hour ahead of the show, they don’t always know who will show up.

Hache estimated that in the past, around a dozen artists have played, told stories or read poetry for about eight to 10 minutes each.

While there has been a good number of artists from around the state at each show, Hache said they hope more from the city will participate.

“Waltham’s got so many awesome people and performers,” she said.

They are aiming to draw even bigger crowds to the open mic nights in the future so that audiences can enjoy independent performers while artists have “the opportunity to share [their] music and poetry” and help a good cause, said Hache.

More information

The next Waltham Open Mic Night takes place on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 4 to 6 p.m., at Christ Church Waltham, 750 Main St. Parking is available on site. 

Although no alcohol will be sold, there will be other refreshments available for purchase. Performance signups begin in person at 3:30 p.m. For more information, visit https://www.christchurchwaltham.org/events/