Java Stop provides creative outlet for students, calm environment.

The smell of coffee, sound of acoustics and overflow of eager spectators fill Javastop in Memorial Union during its annual Javacoustics event put on by the Oregon State University Program Council.

OSU student musicians have an opportunity to express themselves while other students study or relax in a calm environment during Javacoustics, according to sophomore Marito Binag and senior Sarah Roberts, both entertainment coordinators at OSUPC. The remaining fall term Javacoustics events will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 7 and Tuesday, Nov. 14 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Javastop.

“My favorite part is seeing new artists who are trying to just get a little bit of performing time and who don’t really have that experience yet; that’s exciting to me,” Roberts said.

According to Binag, the event is put on to enhance the student experience at the university. The relaxing environment is a place for students to come and eat or study in a welcoming spot on campus that appeals to all different types of crowds.

“We usually do it from week five to week eight, within that range, and that’s usually when there is a lot of midterms going on, so it’s a good environment to unwind,” Binag said.

The college experience is enhanced in a lot of different ways, but the Javacoustics event has a particular appeal on campus, according to Roberts.

“It’s not like doing our casual or usual Dam Jam or Battle of the DJs, it’s a smaller event that people might want to enjoy,” Roberts said.

The last event held at Javastop on Oct. 24 was successful, with an overflowing crowd sitting out in the hallway and balcony wanting to join in on the music and share the moment with others, according to Roberts. Though the event is planned for every week, the Tuesday of Halloween is exempt due to the holiday.

“Just knowing that people appreciate that music and we have had a lot of people say, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s one of my favorite events that I like to go to’ is special,” Roberts said.

According to Binag, committee meetings are held for the event where previous musicians are contacted once more and asked to play at the following year’s program.

“Usually we just try to reach out to as many people as we can,” Binag said. “We reach out through social media, posters, from personal connections, we try and get performers from past years and contact them again.”

Sean Borne, a junior majoring in psychology, has been playing the guitar for nine years, as well as ukulele and bass guitar. During his freshman year, Borne was reached out to by the Javacoustics coordinators and asked if he was interested in playing the event.

“Freshman year was very nerve-wracking just ‘cause it’s a whole new environment and I didn’t know what to expect of the event,” Borne said. “Last year I did it with my sister and it was a fun sibling thing for her last year here, and she also plays guitar, so I figured, ‘why not?’”

According to Borne, Javacoustics is a good way to listen to smaller, more local artists in a coffee shop where it’s more mellow, as opposed to going out to a club or bar to hear a well-known band or music group.

“Especially around this time of year, it’s all midterms, like the second wave of midterms is coming up, so it’s a good way to go out of your room, destress a bit,” Borne said.

It’s hard to contrast Battle of the DJs or Dam Jam with Javacoustics, according to Borne. The events have very different atmospheres and draw crowds for different reasons.

“It’s hard to compare the two because since one is so local and so mellow and the other is so campus-wide and very diverse,” Borne said. “It’s more just what your preference is, whether you enjoy listening to mellow music in a coffee shop or just going to a concert on a larger scale. It’s up to the individual.”