The Rack is one giant sports bar that shares a giant parking lot with other, smaller businesses. Fortunately, open mic takes place in a second, quiet room. Five muted TVs were on, but when the open mic started the 3 closest ones to the stage were turned off. The second room seats about 70 and the stage is expansive and high. There are no language restrictions. Talent gets 4 minutes, the light at 3. James, the guy who runs the venue, showed up at 9pm along with the signup sheet. I was there firs,t along with a comedian friend, and everyone who was there to perform respected the first-come-first-choice, so I signed first and took the 3rd spot. True to start time, the show began at 9:15. There were 11 in attendance; 16 peeps by 9:45; 9 remaining by 10:20. The whole evening ended five minutes after that. This room is comedy only. Total there were 8 performers, and from the first comedian I could see James decided to give everyone extra time, since signup was not high. The business itself serves pizza, burgers, hot dogs, salads, sandwiches, appetizers and desserts. Of course they offer wine, beer and have a full bar. I had a good time at this room. But something troubled me. I had signed up for 3rd but was not introduced till 6th. The host on his own put 3 other comedians ahead of me, talent who knew the host already, whereas this was my first time. Had I gone up when I was supposed to, I would have performed when attendance was at its maximum. Having me up as late as I went, the numbers had dwindled. I didn’t mind that much; the people who did see me liked my set for the most part. But it does beg the question: why have a signup sheet if you’re not going to respect it when the time comes? What if I had taken the 3rd spot because I had to be somewhere later? Just asking. But since this was my only room for the night, I was going to stay for the evening anyway. Maybe plan to do the same. Certainly, this room deserves attention. James himself started the show with some humor and kept the energy high between acts. A good showman.
The Rack is one giant sports bar that shares a giant parking lot with other, smaller businesses. Fortunately, open mic takes place in a second, quiet room. Five muted TVs were on, but when the open mic started the 3 closest ones to the stage were turned off. The second room seats about 70 and the stage is expansive and high. There are no language restrictions. Talent gets 4 minutes, the light at 3.
ReplyDeleteJames, the guy who runs the venue, showed up at 9pm along with the signup sheet. I was there firs,t along with a comedian friend, and everyone who was there to perform respected the first-come-first-choice, so I signed first and took the 3rd spot.
True to start time, the show began at 9:15. There were 11 in attendance; 16 peeps by 9:45; 9 remaining by 10:20. The whole evening ended five minutes after that. This room is comedy only. Total there were 8 performers, and from the first comedian I could see James decided to give everyone extra time, since signup was not high.
The business itself serves pizza, burgers, hot dogs, salads, sandwiches, appetizers and desserts. Of course they offer wine, beer and have a full bar.
I had a good time at this room. But something troubled me. I had signed up for 3rd but was not introduced till 6th. The host on his own put 3 other comedians ahead of me, talent who knew the host already, whereas this was my first time. Had I gone up when I was supposed to, I would have performed when attendance was at its maximum. Having me up as late as I went, the numbers had dwindled. I didn’t mind that much; the people who did see me liked my set for the most part. But it does beg the question: why have a signup sheet if you’re not going to respect it when the time comes? What if I had taken the 3rd spot because I had to be somewhere later? Just asking. But since this was my only room for the night, I was going to stay for the evening anyway. Maybe plan to do the same.
Certainly, this room deserves attention. James himself started the show with some humor and kept the energy high between acts. A good showman.
This place doesn't exist any more.
ReplyDelete