On Sept. 26, a local tea lounge, Mi Tea Lounge, 427 S. Boston Ave., hosted a small event. This event helped citizens of the Tulsa area discover local artists and listen to music while having an excellent time. Similar to an earlier program, the new monthly sessions, “Tempo and Tea,” creates a space for anyone who has attended to enjoy alternative and R&B music. As with its predecessor, the current series has open mic performances for the attendees as well. 

The owner, TeNesha Rushing, started Mi Tea Lounge in February 2020, but progress came to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rushing, also known as “Tea Rush,” is an entrepreneur, singer/artist, and songwriter. She was inspired to start Mi Tea Lounge because as a singer, she loves tea and drinks it to protect and help with her voice.  

Rushing also loves other musical artists and wanted to provide an opportunity for those artists to perform and allow them to drink tea for the same reason – to protect and help with their voices.  

“I want to allow these other artists to want to take in artistry with tea. I also wanted to create a Starbucks (-like environment) with a stage,” she stated. 

With “Tempo & Tea,” she said, “The first ‘Tempo & Tea’ was on Aug. 22 of this year and that night. Approximately 35 to 40 people attended.  

“I started it because I wanted to start something musical with tea at the lounge, an open mic night, specifically. With the name, I got the name idea from a friend,” said Rushing.  

The next “Tempo & Tea” is scheduled for Dec. 19, and you are allowed to wear ugly sweaters for Christmas. The program will begin at 6:30 p.m. This monthly program is scheduled for every third Tuesday unless it is stated otherwise. 

Another program sponsored by Mi Tea is “Mi Tea & R&B.” Its next program will be Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. 

For more information, contact Mi Tea Lounge on Instagram or visit its website at MiTeaLounge.com.