Right off the top I gotta say, because this is San Francisco, parking is on the street, and give yourself plenty of time to find a spot. You may very well be driving for some time, and even then it doesn’t promise you’ll be close to the venue when the time comes. I got lucky. Two blocks away. The place serves coffee, smoothies and some food: sandwiches, salads, quiche, and some other items. They also serve beer, which is good for comedy. All forms of talent are welcome, and there are no language restrictions. Talent gets 1 song or 5 minutes, the light at 4. If the evening is slow, 2 songs or 8 minutes. Signup 7pm, showtime 7:30. The place seats more than 28 -- I reached that number based on the numbers of seats turned to face the stage, which was a rug set up to the farthest side of the room near the bathroom. Anyone else in the café will have a difficult time enjoying the show, so far away are they sitting. The venue is run by a gentleman named Clyde, whose handlebar mustache reminded me of those old-movie villains where they tie the heroine up on the railroad track then curl their mustache. He’s been doing the room for two years. There is an admission fee of a one-item purchase. Lineup is done by lottery. Everyone drops in their name, then someone pulls out each name and the list is made. I got the seventh spot. Most every seat was taken. I counted 21 people when I went up. Clyde is the epitome of entertainment. His energy between each talent was effervescent, never flat lining. I was the only comedian to sign up, which amazed me. Considering how many comedians live in the Bay Area alone, I’m surprised not more people are doing comedy at Café International. This was one of the best rooms I’ve ever done. One of those nights when you can do no wrong. Almost every joke killed. Got a number of applause breaks. People complimented me afterwards. But it’s not just because I was any good. This room is so welcoming of talent. The first person to go up that evening was an older woman who read 3 poems, one about Count Dracula. Yet when she was done the reception she got was overwhelming. They simply loved her. They loved me. They loved people who went up to the mic to share what they had. I was so appreciative to have been a part of that. Almost got a shiver down my spine. Not only did I not want to get off stage, which I did when I got the light and wrapped it up, but I didn’t want the evening to end. I stayed as long as I could before driving further north late at night. If you are in San Francisco, while there are a number of open mics happening all over, in the heart of the city which boosts the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, and sanctuary for those in need, this room embodies the spirit of this great city. I love San Francisco. Better still, San Francisco loved me. You have only to share a laugh with the people there to find out.
Right off the top I gotta say, because this is San Francisco, parking is on the street, and give yourself plenty of time to find a spot. You may very well be driving for some time, and even then it doesn’t promise you’ll be close to the venue when the time comes. I got lucky. Two blocks away.
ReplyDeleteThe place serves coffee, smoothies and some food: sandwiches, salads, quiche, and some other items. They also serve beer, which is good for comedy. All forms of talent are welcome, and there are no language restrictions. Talent gets 1 song or 5 minutes, the light at 4. If the evening is slow, 2 songs or 8 minutes. Signup 7pm, showtime 7:30. The place seats more than 28 -- I reached that number based on the numbers of seats turned to face the stage, which was a rug set up to the farthest side of the room near the bathroom. Anyone else in the café will have a difficult time enjoying the show, so far away are they sitting.
The venue is run by a gentleman named Clyde, whose handlebar mustache reminded me of those old-movie villains where they tie the heroine up on the railroad track then curl their mustache. He’s been doing the room for two years. There is an admission fee of a one-item purchase. Lineup is done by lottery. Everyone drops in their name, then someone pulls out each name and the list is made. I got the seventh spot.
Most every seat was taken. I counted 21 people when I went up. Clyde is the epitome of entertainment. His energy between each talent was effervescent, never flat lining. I was the only comedian to sign up, which amazed me. Considering how many comedians live in the Bay Area alone, I’m surprised not more people are doing comedy at Café International.
This was one of the best rooms I’ve ever done. One of those nights when you can do no wrong. Almost every joke killed. Got a number of applause breaks. People complimented me afterwards. But it’s not just because I was any good. This room is so welcoming of talent. The first person to go up that evening was an older woman who read 3 poems, one about Count Dracula. Yet when she was done the reception she got was overwhelming. They simply loved her. They loved me. They loved people who went up to the mic to share what they had. I was so appreciative to have been a part of that. Almost got a shiver down my spine. Not only did I not want to get off stage, which I did when I got the light and wrapped it up, but I didn’t want the evening to end. I stayed as long as I could before driving further north late at night.
If you are in San Francisco, while there are a number of open mics happening all over, in the heart of the city which boosts the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, and sanctuary for those in need, this room embodies the spirit of this great city. I love San Francisco. Better still, San Francisco loved me. You have only to share a laugh with the people there to find out.