Lawrence has been running open mic at Hill Street for 3 years. Because this is a family-friendly café, there is no adult language or adult material on stage. They serve beer, wine, mimosas, coffee, tea and more. On the menu, appetizers, vegan food, salads and entrees like steak and chicken and seafood and pastas. The open mic takes place outside, and the “stage” is elevated about 3 feet over the audience as part of the layout of this business. Talent walks the ramp (handicapped access) to get around the metal railing. There are two mics set up, and as many as 4 people can play and be seen well enough. There is a light that shines on the talent, so as it got dark that did not matter. Parking is on the street. I ended up parking two blocks away. Signup is first come first choice. The signup board comes out 6 or 6ish. I arrived late, because I was doing another venue. When I got there at 7:05pm every spot was taken except for the last spot. The twelfth spot. During the course of the evening even more talent showed up just to be told they could not go up, though Lawrence does sometimes try to squeeze in one mor two more if possible, though they end at 9pm. Open mic takes place in an area which seats about 30. You’re in the immediate vicinity. To sit anywhere else outside means you’re not interested in the open mic, too far away are you. As the evening progressed, attendance went down. Upon my arrival there were 26 people outside. By 8:35pm, we had 17. By the time my set ended at 9pm I had played for an audience of 15. Lawrence was quick to get two more artists up, each doing a cappella, with the second talent inserting a quick song prerecorded on his phone. The evening truly ended at 9:10pm. I am told 90 to 95% of the talent that goes on stage at Hill Street is musicians or singers. Not often do they get a comedian or poet. Guys, I don’t know why more comedians aren’t performing here. I had a great experience. Got huge laughs, even an applause break. People were very inviting. I wanted to give up some of my time to get others on stage. After about 7 or 8 minutes I got myself off, feeling very good about the set. Afterwards, people remarked to me how much they enjoy comedy. More comedians need to discover this venue. As long as you are clean, I think you can do a terrific job winning over the audience. Lawrence is a good host, trying to have as little down time as possible. No music plays talent on and off, but you hardly notice the dead air. If anything, you do notice the night air, taking in the evening breeze as you listen to some breezy talent.
Lawrence has been running open mic at Hill Street for 3 years. Because this is a family-friendly café, there is no adult language or adult material on stage. They serve beer, wine, mimosas, coffee, tea and more. On the menu, appetizers, vegan food, salads and entrees like steak and chicken and seafood and pastas. The open mic takes place outside, and the “stage” is elevated about 3 feet over the audience as part of the layout of this business. Talent walks the ramp (handicapped access) to get around the metal railing. There are two mics set up, and as many as 4 people can play and be seen well enough. There is a light that shines on the talent, so as it got dark that did not matter. Parking is on the street. I ended up parking two blocks away.
ReplyDeleteSignup is first come first choice. The signup board comes out 6 or 6ish. I arrived late, because I was doing another venue. When I got there at 7:05pm every spot was taken except for the last spot. The twelfth spot. During the course of the evening even more talent showed up just to be told they could not go up, though Lawrence does sometimes try to squeeze in one mor two more if possible, though they end at 9pm.
Open mic takes place in an area which seats about 30. You’re in the immediate vicinity. To sit anywhere else outside means you’re not interested in the open mic, too far away are you. As the evening progressed, attendance went down. Upon my arrival there were 26 people outside. By 8:35pm, we had 17. By the time my set ended at 9pm I had played for an audience of 15. Lawrence was quick to get two more artists up, each doing a cappella, with the second talent inserting a quick song prerecorded on his phone. The evening truly ended at 9:10pm.
I am told 90 to 95% of the talent that goes on stage at Hill Street is musicians or singers. Not often do they get a comedian or poet.
Guys, I don’t know why more comedians aren’t performing here. I had a great experience. Got huge laughs, even an applause break. People were very inviting. I wanted to give up some of my time to get others on stage. After about 7 or 8 minutes I got myself off, feeling very good about the set. Afterwards, people remarked to me how much they enjoy comedy. More comedians need to discover this venue. As long as you are clean, I think you can do a terrific job winning over the audience. Lawrence is a good host, trying to have as little down time as possible. No music plays talent on and off, but you hardly notice the dead air. If anything, you do notice the night air, taking in the evening breeze as you listen to some breezy talent.