Octopus Bookstore has been hosting open mic for just over a year. Michelle works for Octopus as well as hosts the open mic. The signup sheet comes out about 6:15, and it’s first-come-first-choice. When I arrived at almost 7pm, there were already 4 signups. The open mic begins 7ish and goes till 9pm. Talent gets 5 minutes; Michelle gives you the (index) finger at 1. There are no language restrictions. Parking is on the streets or paid parking lots. I saw absolutely no street parking when I showed up, even with all my driving around. I ended up paying $10 at a lot about two blocks away. The business itself is also a café. They serve beer, wine, coffee, quiche, sandwiches and salads. By 7:20 there were 10 signups, and by 7:30 there were 20 in attendance, including the 3 staff at Octopus. The show started 7:33pm. There is no stage. A mic is set up to one corner, but because of its size – place seats about 26 – everyone can see the talent no matter where you sit. By 8pm attendance was 26. Not long after that, people were standing in the back because every seat was taken. I signed up 4th but went up second. Michelle told me afterwards she likes to mix the talent up. First guy was a singer/guitarist; second guy comedy, third person a poet. I get that. It may be better to do that than have three guitarists in a row. My recommendation is, if you do this venue and you get there early with the idea of wanting to go up early, be sure to inform Michelle of your situation. I’m confident she will oblige you. Otherwise, if you don’t mind, take the spot she gives you and enjoy the rest of the show. Attendance was overwhelming, literally becoming a standing room only. And the audience was gracious, welcoming new talent for the first time while nestling to the comfort of returning favorites.
Octopus Bookstore has been hosting open mic for just over a year. Michelle works for Octopus as well as hosts the open mic. The signup sheet comes out about 6:15, and it’s first-come-first-choice. When I arrived at almost 7pm, there were already 4 signups. The open mic begins 7ish and goes till 9pm. Talent gets 5 minutes; Michelle gives you the (index) finger at 1. There are no language restrictions. Parking is on the streets or paid parking lots. I saw absolutely no street parking when I showed up, even with all my driving around. I ended up paying $10 at a lot about two blocks away. The business itself is also a café. They serve beer, wine, coffee, quiche, sandwiches and salads.
ReplyDeleteBy 7:20 there were 10 signups, and by 7:30 there were 20 in attendance, including the 3 staff at Octopus. The show started 7:33pm. There is no stage. A mic is set up to one corner, but because of its size – place seats about 26 – everyone can see the talent no matter where you sit. By 8pm attendance was 26. Not long after that, people were standing in the back because every seat was taken.
I signed up 4th but went up second. Michelle told me afterwards she likes to mix the talent up. First guy was a singer/guitarist; second guy comedy, third person a poet. I get that. It may be better to do that than have three guitarists in a row. My recommendation is, if you do this venue and you get there early with the idea of wanting to go up early, be sure to inform Michelle of your situation. I’m confident she will oblige you. Otherwise, if you don’t mind, take the spot she gives you and enjoy the rest of the show. Attendance was overwhelming, literally becoming a standing room only. And the audience was gracious, welcoming new talent for the first time while nestling to the comfort of returning favorites.