A comedian, a guitar player and a veteran.
Not the punch line of a bad joke, it's the lineup for the third annual Open Mic Night at Western Nevada Community College. The event runs from 7-9:30 tonight in the Joe Dini Student Center and is sponsored by the United Students Association.
"We enjoy doing it because anything can happen. Anyone could come through the door," said Rich Pfrenzinger, senator with the association.
The theme for the night is freedom of speech and will begin with an explanation by a WNCC professor of the freedoms outlined in the First Amendment.
"The whole point is to showcase our right to say what we want within some guidelines," Pfrenzinger said. "Many of the people just want to say what's on their minds."
There are six confirmed performers with the balance of the evening open to whomever wants to step up to the mic. Currently, the schedule includes several comedians, a video and a narrated story from time spent in Iraq.
The event takes place once during each semester, but because of its popularity, organizers hope to begin holding Open Mic nights once a month during the fall and spring.
"They are very popular and we want to offer an outlet more often to the students, faculty and public to express their views," Pfrenzinger said.
Attendees will also enjoy free food from the Java Dash campus cafe.
Pfrenzinger hopes to continue one unbroken streak during tonight's entertainment.
"I've never seen anyone booed. People are pretty polite, even though some of them are pretty bad," he said.
• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.
If you go
What: Western Nevada Community College's Open Mic Night
When: 7-9:30 tonight
Where: Joe Dini Student Center at WNCC, 2201 W. College
Parkway
Cost: Free to attend or participate with complimentary refreshments
Call: 445-3323