Mike Pinto has been running this open mic since January of this year. Know off the top that this venue is 90 to 95% music. The last time they had a comedian was 6 weeks prior to myself. Mike plays the guitar and writes and performs music, opening the show with a couple of songs before the open mic starts. Signup is same as start time, 9pm. Actual start time of show was 9:17. The stage is a platform a foot off the ground, located in the furthest corner of the bar. Stage is not big and only one mic. The lighting is directly overhead, so if you're wearing a hat, take it off. No one can see your eyes. The light itself is blue, more appropriate for a blues lounge. Talent gets 3 songs or 15 minutes. There are no language restrictions. Signup is currently first come first choice, and the venue goes till 12:30 or 1am. Typically 15 people perform each week. 1st Street is a sports bar. While muted, the televisions are running. That draws the attention of a lot of the patrons. Also, you are competing with the noise from a pool table, as well as an indoor shuffle board. I won't kid you. There is a very good reason why this room attracts almost exclusively musicians. There can be noise going on, and you can still hear the music. With comedy, well, those who wanted to see me moved close to the stage. Of the 21 people in the room, I'd say just under half were paying attention to comedy. But at least those who did watch enjoyed the performance. I was appreciative of that. Someone even singled me out after the show and complimented me. That was nice. This was the second of two venues I had intended to do in a night. Even though those paying attention to the stage was not huge, they were focused. That matters. And Mike is open to any ideas to improve the room. (Personally, I suggested changing the lighting.) Maybe with the passing of time, the room might be more receptive to comedy. I say that more to the audience than Mike. He encourages all talent. But I think it's the audience that keeps the musicians coming back weekly and the comedians rarely. Quick insert: 1st Street has its own parking lot. Easy access.
Mike Pinto has been running this open mic since January of this year. Know off the top that this venue is 90 to 95% music. The last time they had a comedian was 6 weeks prior to myself.
ReplyDeleteMike plays the guitar and writes and performs music, opening the show with a couple of songs before the open mic starts. Signup is same as start time, 9pm. Actual start time of show was 9:17. The stage is a platform a foot off the ground, located in the furthest corner of the bar. Stage is not big and only one mic. The lighting is directly overhead, so if you're wearing a hat, take it off. No one can see your eyes. The light itself is blue, more appropriate for a blues lounge.
Talent gets 3 songs or 15 minutes. There are no language restrictions. Signup is currently first come first choice, and the venue goes till 12:30 or 1am. Typically 15 people perform each week.
1st Street is a sports bar. While muted, the televisions are running. That draws the attention of a lot of the patrons. Also, you are competing with the noise from a pool table, as well as an indoor shuffle board.
I won't kid you. There is a very good reason why this room attracts almost exclusively musicians. There can be noise going on, and you can still hear the music. With comedy, well, those who wanted to see me moved close to the stage. Of the 21 people in the room, I'd say just under half were paying attention to comedy. But at least those who did watch enjoyed the performance. I was appreciative of that. Someone even singled me out after the show and complimented me. That was nice.
This was the second of two venues I had intended to do in a night. Even though those paying attention to the stage was not huge, they were focused. That matters. And Mike is open to any ideas to improve the room. (Personally, I suggested changing the lighting.) Maybe with the passing of time, the room might be more receptive to comedy. I say that more to the audience than Mike. He encourages all talent. But I think it's the audience that keeps the musicians coming back weekly and the comedians rarely.
Quick insert: 1st Street has its own parking lot. Easy access.