A.J., who runs the open mic, is a 29 year old man, an entertainer specializing in beatbox, and has been involved in the open mic at Cozmic Café since its inception 10 years ago. Of the original group who started the room, A.J. is the only one left, and will continue to run it till he decides to move out of Placerville, but not before making sure that the person who succeeds him will show as much care for the venue as he does. Interestingly enough, while A.J. purports this to be a family-friendly room, you are allowed to say any swear word, just don’t make it every other word as you’re talking. In effect, if it complements the joke, if it’s used smartly, say it. Talent is 90 percent musicians, 10 percent everything else. Signup is first-come-first-choice. You get 2 songs or 10 minutes. On a good night 20 to 30 people attend. Some nights the evening can go till midnight or 12ish. Four mics are set up on a nice stage located on the far side of the room. The room itself is upstairs of the café and there is an adjoining room that serves beer and wine, while downstairs you can order coffee and such. Patrons are allowed to bring food upstairs. There is plenty of parking, and it is free after 5pm. About 35 collapsible chairs are placed in rows, giving a more theater feel to the room. I took the third spot. Attendance was pretty good, but after I got off, more people started to spill into the room. I probably should have taken a later spot. Sure enough, I was the only comedian that night. Got some great laughs, and I was pleased to have done the room. Placerville is a small community. A.J. promotes a communal feel to the room, making everyone feel included. If you’re passing through the 50 on your way to Tahoe, consider stopping in and doing a set. But choose a later spot in the lineup, maybe 5th or 6th. Attendance should be higher then.
A.J., who runs the open mic, is a 29 year old man, an entertainer specializing in beatbox, and has been involved in the open mic at Cozmic Café since its inception 10 years ago. Of the original group who started the room, A.J. is the only one left, and will continue to run it till he decides to move out of Placerville, but not before making sure that the person who succeeds him will show as much care for the venue as he does.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly enough, while A.J. purports this to be a family-friendly room, you are allowed to say any swear word, just don’t make it every other word as you’re talking. In effect, if it complements the joke, if it’s used smartly, say it.
Talent is 90 percent musicians, 10 percent everything else. Signup is first-come-first-choice. You get 2 songs or 10 minutes. On a good night 20 to 30 people attend. Some nights the evening can go till midnight or 12ish. Four mics are set up on a nice stage located on the far side of the room. The room itself is upstairs of the café and there is an adjoining room that serves beer and wine, while downstairs you can order coffee and such. Patrons are allowed to bring food upstairs. There is plenty of parking, and it is free after 5pm. About 35 collapsible chairs are placed in rows, giving a more theater feel to the room.
I took the third spot. Attendance was pretty good, but after I got off, more people started to spill into the room. I probably should have taken a later spot. Sure enough, I was the only comedian that night. Got some great laughs, and I was pleased to have done the room. Placerville is a small community. A.J. promotes a communal feel to the room, making everyone feel included. If you’re passing through the 50 on your way to Tahoe, consider stopping in and doing a set. But choose a later spot in the lineup, maybe 5th or 6th. Attendance should be higher then.