One of the most memorable performances at CMC’s recent Open Mic came from 4 Days, a family band that includes CMC student Sara Jiménez López. Their energy and the unique dynamic of a family performing together made it one of the standout moments of the night.
For Sara and her family, performing at the Open Mic was a new and exciting step. They wanted to experience the feeling of playing for a larger audience, since most of their past performances had been for friends and relatives. “My mom, who has taken me to CMC for all five years that I’ve been taking lessons there, is always up to date with events and is the one who finds opportunities for us to participate in,” Sara shared. It was her mother who encouraged the family to take the stage together for the first time.
The story of 4 Days began years ago, when Sara and her father would sing and play together at home. As she grew older, she became shyer about performing, but everything changed when her younger brother learned to play the drums. “Once my brother learned to play the drum kit, it definitely pushed us to play music together as a family,” she said. Music became a way for the family to connect and create something special together.
Performing at CMC’s Open Mic also gave the band a fresh perspective on their sound. “We typically play with a keyboard and an electric drum set,” Sara explained, “but this time we used a grand piano and an acoustic drum set. In my opinion, it sounded much better.”
Sara encourages others who may feel nervous about performing to take the leap. “Don’t be nervous—these experiences will help you with your public presenting and speaking skills,” she said, emphasizing how performing at CMC has helped her grow in confidence.
Sara looks forward to performing in Spanish at the next Open Mic on December 3. “Over the years, I’ve recognized my gift for speaking languages spoken by over two billion people worldwide—Spanish and English!” she reflected proudly.
In addition to her musical talents, Sara’s creativity also shines through her artwork. Her design was selected as one of the winners of CMC’s recent T-shirt Design Contest, now featured on the new official CMC T-shirt. She explained her inspiration simply: “I just wanted to do something simple that could capture the solitary moment of someone practicing music.”
When asked how it feels to see her art representing CMC, she admitted, “It’s a little shocking because I didn’t think I was actually gonna win, but I’m also honored. I hope people like it.”
The new CMC T-shirts featuring Sara’s design will be available for purchase starting November 21 at the Mission Branch reception desk for $25, available in both youth and adult sizes.
Want to share your music too? Join us for the next CMC Open Mic Night on Wednesday, December 3, at the CMC Concert Hall. Doors, bar, and sign-ups open at 6 PM, with performances starting at 6:30 PM and running until 9 PM. Come perform, cheer on fellow musicians, and enjoy an evening of community and talent!