On May 1st, 2026, Clarkstown North held its annual live coffeehouse event in the library: Java Jive. The event is hosted by Clarkstown North’s English department and is completely put together–from the cool set and ambient lighting–to the delicious refreshments–by English and Dramatic Arts teacher, Tim Reid, who has been the heart and soul of Java Jive for almost thirty years.
Before the show began, students, teachers, and family members went upstairs in the library to drink coffee and have an assortment of light refreshments. Then, guests went downstairs in the library to hear outstanding performances ranging from covers of “Vienna” and “Cardigan” to breathtaking original poetry. Java Jive invites students to share and celebrate their creativity, introspection, and talents in a supportive setting. This year, there were 28 acts composed of 33 student-performers that finished in a grand finale with teachers on instruments and Mr. Reid singing in his signature jazzy style.
Java Jive builds off of the English Department’s annual Sticky Notes event, as students have the opportunity to share the poetry they create during workshops. Due to the library’s intimate atmosphere, Java Jive was the perfect way for performers to share poems about growing up, leaving North, and missing summer. Each performer was met with supportive cheers from the audience; for poetry performers, specifically, it is traditional for audience members to snap instead of clapping after each performance.
Alec Burstein ’26 performing his poem “The Art of (Un)certainty”
Co-emcee Alec Burstein ‘26 commented that the most enjoyable part of leading the event was “having the power to keep the show moving along swiftly.” “Of course we had our little bits,” Burstein continued, “but we know that people come to this event for the poets and performers, not the emcees trying to be the main characters, so we really focused on keeping it going.”
Emceeing Java Jive wasn’t all fun and games. Burstein added that “the challenges came from having to write jokes without knowing the vibe of the audience. If a gag was funny to me or Cas, we weren’t sure if it would land when we would actually be up sharing it.”
Outside of his skits in between performances, Burstein wrote his poem “The Art of (Un)certainty” about leaving for college in the fall and how that brings with it uncertainty while juxtaposing this idea with a humorous moment of certainty in his life at the “best pizza in New York.”
Cas Cruz ‘26 performing their poem ”I Want Spring to Come”
Alongside Alec, Java Jive co-emcee Cas Cruz closed out the night with their poem “I Want Spring to Come,” which was about renewal as they go off to college in the fall. At North, the creative writing community has been a constant “source of comfort” and allowed them to “become more comfortable sharing… work.” Cruz is highly involved in the English Department as co-president of the Poetry Club and participating in Sticky Notes, Java Jive, and Cue and Curtain productions. Cruz credits the English Department at North for giving them the “courage to pursue a creative writing degree” in the fall at SUNY Purchase.
Cecilia Simoes ’26 performing her poems “Meant to Be” and “Laugh at Everything.”
CHSN senior Cecilia Simoes wrote and performed her poems “Laugh at Everything” and “Meant to Be” during the event to “take a moment amidst all the stress of university applications, scholarships, and extracurriculars to remember how beautiful the current moment is.” With only one month left of high school, Cecilia wanted to reflect on the “many friendships, emotions, and natural elements to be enjoyed when you experience life simply.”
As an audience member, however, Cecilia esteemed the poem “Points” performed by Lemuel Jeune ’27, as she “felt it really spoke to the stress of academic competition, injustice, and the toxic motivations of the education system.” Outside of poetry, Simoes commented that she also loved musical covers such as “Falling Behind” performed by Helena Matthew ‘27 and Chloe Kim ‘27, and “Vienna” performed by Gabriella Chazan ‘27.
Lemuel Jeune ‘27 performing his poem “Points”
A night filled with levity, breathtaking performances, and pure student talent– ultimately, it’s no surprise that Java Jive has been running for 29 years annually. If you missed the opportunity to watch this year, it is a must to come next year for Java Jive’s triennial.
