Small groups of friends gathered at tables and on beanbag chairs and couches in the dimly lit Manwaring Center Little Theater for the third and final installment of this semester’s Acoustic Café Thursday.

 At this venue showcasing student talent, musical acts have more freedom than at some other university events. Most acts (almost never completely acoustic) play two songs, and have more interaction with the audience.

Performing for a smaller crowd on a shorter program, performers can introduce their pieces to the listeners and announce other concerts they’re involved in. “It’s really low key, but it’s fun,” said Mary Brosnahan, a freshman from Salt Lake City. “And we [at BYU-Idaho] have some serious talent.”

Acoustic Café performances also take place throughout the semester, offering more chances to participate and enjoy. “It’s nice to come and relax,” said Stephanie Smart, a freshman from PeachTree City, Ga. “And I love acoustic guitars.”

Local bands with growing exposure, Searching for Todd Kennedy and First Estate, performed along with other groups and solo acts.

The night included a mix of originals and covers of songs by artists such as Dave Matthews Band, Michelle Branch, Eric Clapton and the Format.

The mood of the music shifted from the rock tone of First Estate’s “Leave It Up to Me” and Caterpillar’s “Lowercase I,” a rap song accompanied by acoustic guitar and drum, to “Hey Hey” by Eric Clapton, performed by Gavin McLaughlin.

Acoustic Café also included Girls with Guitars, a group generally underrepresented at Guitars Unplugged. Sam Adams, a freshman from Westerville, Ohio, performed an original song, “Weakness,” and Lindsay Ranieri, a senior from Dublin, Calif., also performed an original, entitled “Expectations.”