BETTER TOGETHER

COMMON STRANGERS

Featuring Just Tryna Make Friends

Written by Des Dare Barragan & Sammy Noelle

There are moments in life when you come in contact with people who are unknowingly creating towards the same purpose that you are, and you’re just taken aback by how well your aspirations fit together.

We experienced an in-awe moment like this, when Julie Roland of Just Tryna Make Friends (JTMF), reached out about their upcoming event.

JTMF is a 501c3 nonprofit and initiative dreamt up by friends Julie Roland and Emilia Barrosse who wanted to create a space where “others would feel more comfortable introducing themselves to strangers with the intention of making friends.” With Sammy’s hopes of Visible being more than a magazine, but a community of humans, let’s just say this was totally up our alley! We couldn’t wait to learn more.

JTMF puts on free donation-based shows on an almost monthly basis, lined up with various artists in the city. Everyone from musicians to poets and magicians to comedians has a place on the stage. Why the scheduled performances? Art is universal, there’s no commitment, and you can simply gather and enjoy. And hey, you might even make some friends along the way!

January’s entertainment experience was held at The Diversionary Theatre, the country’s thirdoldest LGBTQIA+ theatre, located in the heart of University Heights. Doors opened at 5 pm, and the crowd trickled into the vibrant and eclectic bar-accompanied venue, with “I’m so happy to see you” waves, and friendship-making happening out the gate. The show was hosted by Julie and Neil Patel, and the final January lineup was made up of stand-up comedians Paige Weldon, Alan Henderson, and Orion Levine, improv by Kid Goblin, storytelling by Jesse O’Sullivan, and static art by Eric Kofman on display. Julie even interspersed some magic tricks throughout the night. The night was closed out by singer-songwriter, Cailey Garner, accompanied by her fellow music therapist, Tia Mae Frostrom, on piano and background vocals. Julie interspersed some magic tricks into the show as well.

We would argue that friendship is built by putting into action and words what starts as just a feeling. We loved experiencing the community that JTMF has cultivated over the years, and hope these photos give you all the feels.

Be sure to make your way out to the next night of friend-making and creative showcasing in just a couple of weeks on March 4th!