In this age of electronic communications, the handwritten letter is quickly becoming a thing of the past.
But for almost a decade people have gathered at the "Somewhat Annual Open Mic: Letters Show" to read aloud correspondence of all kinds; from postcards and time worn letters to more modern dispatches like e-mail.
Event organizer and UWM lecturer Renato Umali said people revel in the voyeuristic experience of peeking in on a letter meant for someone else.
"It's a weird thing. Often times letters are these private communications between one person to another," Umali said.
The event is also big on humor, with people bringing in letters from high school, letters written by their parents and even letters written by strangers they've found and kept stashed away for years.
"I find that if someone is coming up with a letter in the envelope I go, 'Uh-oh, we are going to be in for it.' You know it's going to be quite an interesting read," Umali said.
Umali said the time that passes between when someone first received their mail and when they finally read it aloud helps change they way they experience and interpret the letter.
"Usually, when people bring these letters in, a lot of time has passed between that event so they can look upon it with a distanced eye," Umali said.
With letters being red from a period spanning decades, the audience gets a real sense of how the way people write each other has changed over time.
"People bring letters from the '50s and '60s and those are kind of interesting," said Umali, "There is a fair amount of people who still bring in the handwritten letters or snail mail. I think they are better-written. They aren't so much dashed off. There is a little bit more to them."
And when people take time to write a letter now, rather than simply dashing off an e-mail, there is often some weighty event behind it.
"Letters now are occasions. There is something important that is being imparted in a letter somehow. Often times they are not casual. So that's kind of compelling," Umali said.
The event kicks off Thursday at 8 p.m. at the Circle A Cafe, 932 E. Chambers St. Admission is $2, but free if you read.
Umali said the laid back approach to the evening is perfect for those who may not typically enjoy public speaking.
"You just put your name on a list and that's it. I call you up. It's actually quite fun and casual," Umali said.
