On the first Friday of every month, Rhizome Roots Studio opens its doors to the residents of Ypsilanti for its open mic night.
Charlie Fuller has had the studio space at 108 Pearl St. since July 1, 2025. At Rhizome Roots, Fuller hosts dance classes for beginners and intermediates alike, donation-based yoga with a pay-what-you-can policy and other events centered around moving the body.
Fuller also likes to host open mic nights where members of the community can come in to display their skills, watch others perform and socialize with new people.
From 8:30-10:30 p.m. every first Friday, all are welcome in the studio to listen and perform.
The ticket cost at the door is $10 for audience members and $5 for performers. Fuller and her dog Gemma greet every new face. The space provides places to gather, drinks, snacks and card games for attendees to play throughout the night.
There is no set schedule for the open mic nights. From singing to poetry to magic tricks, participants are welcome to perform whatever they want whenever they want.
When nobody is performing, attendees can play games, sing together, or simply talk and socialize.
The space purposefully has no stage for performers. Fuller described the events the studio puts on as structured but understanding; there is no pressure or expectations.
"I want it to be a place people want to go, not where they need to go," Fuller said.
Angela Alexander, a first-time attendee, found the intimate atmosphere very welcoming.
After seeing an ad for the open mic night on the Meetup app, Alexander decided to check out the event just to see what it was like.
The night was very fun and a good way to make community connections, Alexander said.
Scott Watson has been a guitar player since the age of 19, and has attended Rhizome Roots' open mics. While Watson is new to songwriting, Roots Studio offered the opportunity to conquer his fear of playing guitar in front of others.
Before opening Rhizome Roots, Fuller held his background in health, first working as a Safety and Wellness Director at Washtenaw Community College. Many of the classes there are concentrated on mindful movement and connecting the body to the mind.
Even the name of the studio connects to Fuller’s vision of connection. A rhizome is a root structure from which a plant grows from another plant, but if the roots are disconnected, each plant can keep growing by itself.
“I want the community to grow interdependently," Fuller said. "You’re part of the community, but not owned."
For those interested in attending, the next Rhizome Roots open mic night will take place Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, from 8:30-10:30 p.m.
