WARNING: The following review is the least objective one I have written to date. So, I drive an hour and 20 minutes in L.A. traffic at night to get to a venue that has 11 comedians for an audience, only four of which were present in the room when I went up, sharing in the second-hand smoke of the talent who stood outside the opened-door entrance while I wait my turn, so I could practice for 7 minutes to people who already know me. Some did anyway. And you know what. . . ? I wouldn't have changed a thing about the experience. The facts: free street parking, X-rated material okay, not a room that serves anything, already said 7 minutes stage time, guy who normally emcees Blake Perez. Personal Observation: I've glossed over this before in other reviews, but I want to make it the highlight this time. Here, someone has made up their mind to contribute to the entertainment world by starting a venue. That takes time. Their time. The Charity Shop is an antique store with clothing and items for a nominal price. Doesn't sound like a room you want to start an open mic, right? But, hey! There's a platform already in the store, the potential for a venue. Bring in a portable mic and speaker, arrange some chairs, BAM! You've got a room. Post it of the Net and they will come. (It's a relatively new venue.) It's a long drive for me, sure, as it will be for a lot of people, but if you've exhausted all the venues in your area, if you happen to live reasonably close by, think about doing a set at The Charity Shop. Bring a friend. Support Blake for the very reason that, at his expense, he gave you a place to sharpen your skills. At some point every talent should run their own venue, if only once. Know what it is to be the producer, not just the guy who shows up and performs. Appreciate any room, no matter what the circumstances. Traffic, talent walking out when they're done, people not respectful of others are not the fault of the host. Just be glad the room is there for you to perform. So, Blake, thank you. I hope you build a following in your community and get some regulars, enough to keep the venue going.
WARNING: The following review is the least objective one I have written to date.
ReplyDeleteSo, I drive an hour and 20 minutes in L.A. traffic at night to get to a venue that has 11 comedians for an audience, only four of which were present in the room when I went up, sharing in the second-hand smoke of the talent who stood outside the opened-door entrance while I wait my turn, so I could practice for 7 minutes to people who already know me. Some did anyway. And you know what. . . ?
I wouldn't have changed a thing about the experience.
The facts: free street parking, X-rated material okay, not a room that serves anything, already said 7 minutes stage time, guy who normally emcees Blake Perez.
Personal Observation: I've glossed over this before in other reviews, but I want to make it the highlight this time.
Here, someone has made up their mind to contribute to the entertainment world by starting a venue. That takes time. Their time. The Charity Shop is an antique store with clothing and items for a nominal price. Doesn't sound like a room you want to start an open mic, right? But, hey! There's a platform already in the store, the potential for a venue. Bring in a portable mic and speaker, arrange some chairs, BAM! You've got a room. Post it of the Net and they will come. (It's a relatively new venue.)
It's a long drive for me, sure, as it will be for a lot of people, but if you've exhausted all the venues in your area, if you happen to live reasonably close by, think about doing a set at The Charity Shop. Bring a friend. Support Blake for the very reason that, at his expense, he gave you a place to sharpen your skills.
At some point every talent should run their own venue, if only once. Know what it is to be the producer, not just the guy who shows up and performs. Appreciate any room, no matter what the circumstances. Traffic, talent walking out when they're done, people not respectful of others are not the fault of the host. Just be glad the room is there for you to perform.
So, Blake, thank you. I hope you build a following in your community and get some regulars, enough to keep the venue going.