Tuesday Mic is run by Teddy Quinn. A guitarist himself, he's been running this venue for 8 years. I showed up with two friends to perform comedy. It was the first time in 8 years that comedy would happen on his stage. To begin, the stage itself is amazing. 3 mics, a drum set with 5 cymbals, plenty of room for a band, and certainly enough room for a comedian. The room was packed. 50 plus people. Evidently, this is one of two hot spots in this quaint community. Musicians get 3 songs or 15 minutes, but Teddy decided to give comedy only 7. He originally suggested 5, but I said comedians would appreciate at least 7. I asked about language restrictions. They have none. Joshua Tree Saloon is full of atmosphere. The front exterior will remind you of an old western train station. 6 TVs (muted), 2 pool tables, a very good menu, but limited drinks. No blender. A dirt parking lot. Also, you can sit outside if you want, but then you're choosing to miss the entertainment. Signup is very informal. I did put our names on the sheet, but Teddy just puts people up as he wants to, deciding to spread the comedy over 3 hours in a venue that goes for 5. So, no need to get there early to get a spot. Just show up on time, maybe ask to go up in the first hour. Of the 3 of us, I decided to go first. Teddy put me up after he opened with a few songs and had one other talent go after him. The show itself did not start till 7:19pm, but Teddy acknowledged his tardiness. It was one of my better sets in recent memory. Admittedly, from my POV, I could see at a certain distance the audience was too far away to hear me. The place was noisy, but between a third and a half of the room could hear me, so I still had a substantial audience. Knowing they had never seen comedy on this stage before, I felt licensed creatively. Whatever I did it was their first time. I did my act, throwing in a couple new jokes to test the waters of laughter. Well, the waters ran deep, and I killed that night. Teddy did not light me, but rather just stepped to the front of the floor, and I took that as a minute to wrap it up. I did well enough that my two friends got to do extra stage time. Teddy wasn't sure how comedy would be received, but he saw those who could hear sure enjoyed the show. By the time my second friend finished, it was 10:30. She got to do 11 minutes. The whole evening rocked, and the talent was very solid. The people were so friendly. 'Course, many of them are repeat customers and performers. It seemed everyone knew everyone, which I see a lot in the smaller towns. I think if you went to this venue, having had such a good experience with the 3 of us, Teddy would be inclined to give 10 minutes if not more to comedians. Between that and the reception you will get from these terrific people -- truly, one of the most affable bunch I've met -- you will have a great time. Probably too noisy to tape yourself, but still worth doing. Plus, if you spend the night, there is comedy at another venue nearby on Wednesday.
Tuesday Mic is run by Teddy Quinn. A guitarist himself, he's been running this venue for 8 years. I showed up with two friends to perform comedy. It was the first time in 8 years that comedy would happen on his stage.
ReplyDeleteTo begin, the stage itself is amazing. 3 mics, a drum set with 5 cymbals, plenty of room for a band, and certainly enough room for a comedian. The room was packed. 50 plus people. Evidently, this is one of two hot spots in this quaint community. Musicians get 3 songs or 15 minutes, but Teddy decided to give comedy only 7. He originally suggested 5, but I said comedians would appreciate at least 7. I asked about language restrictions. They have none.
Joshua Tree Saloon is full of atmosphere. The front exterior will remind you of an old western train station. 6 TVs (muted), 2 pool tables, a very good menu, but limited drinks. No blender. A dirt parking lot. Also, you can sit outside if you want, but then you're choosing to miss the entertainment.
Signup is very informal. I did put our names on the sheet, but Teddy just puts people up as he wants to, deciding to spread the comedy over 3 hours in a venue that goes for 5. So, no need to get there early to get a spot. Just show up on time, maybe ask to go up in the first hour. Of the 3 of us, I decided to go first. Teddy put me up after he opened with a few songs and had one other talent go after him. The show itself did not start till 7:19pm, but Teddy acknowledged his tardiness.
It was one of my better sets in recent memory. Admittedly, from my POV, I could see at a certain distance the audience was too far away to hear me. The place was noisy, but between a third and a half of the room could hear me, so I still had a substantial audience. Knowing they had never seen comedy on this stage before, I felt licensed creatively. Whatever I did it was their first time. I did my act, throwing in a couple new jokes to test the waters of laughter. Well, the waters ran deep, and I killed that night.
Teddy did not light me, but rather just stepped to the front of the floor, and I took that as a minute to wrap it up. I did well enough that my two friends got to do extra stage time. Teddy wasn't sure how comedy would be received, but he saw those who could hear sure enjoyed the show. By the time my second friend finished, it was 10:30. She got to do 11 minutes. The whole evening rocked, and the talent was very solid. The people were so friendly. 'Course, many of them are repeat customers and performers. It seemed everyone knew everyone, which I see a lot in the smaller towns.
I think if you went to this venue, having had such a good experience with the 3 of us, Teddy would be inclined to give 10 minutes if not more to comedians. Between that and the reception you will get from these terrific people -- truly, one of the most affable bunch I've met -- you will have a great time. Probably too noisy to tape yourself, but still worth doing. Plus, if you spend the night, there is comedy at another venue nearby on Wednesday.