Snapping, stomping, hissing and grunting aren’t usually signs of encouragement, but then the group of about 60 who gathered at the TCU Bookstore coffee shop last winter weren’t there for anything usual, but rather the first TCU Pong Jam, a melding of performance poetry and song, a Beatnik throw-back minus the berets.

“The event was actually imported from working-class Chicago bars,” said Cathy Gabor, coordinator of the English department event, adding that the Jam will be held every semester. “We wanted to find something that would get students excited about being English majors. But many of the ones who came and performed were from other majors. I was surprised to find we have quite a few closet poets in the business school.”

Right, senior John McConnell drew laughs for his poem, “Broken,” at the first TCU Pong Jam. Senior Jason Smuland accompanied the performers on guitar.