The gentleman who runs this open mic is affectionately known as Hamburger. Full name Hamburger Wif Cheese. He’s been running the open mic for 4 months, but the mic itself has been going on just over a year. Because The Pocket is exclusively a bar, there are no language restrictions. They have their own parking lot. There is no food served, but a food truck stopped by and there is a Chinese restaurant next door. The venue is for comedy only. No music or poetry. However, Hamburger opens the show with a musician who plays a few songs, which I thought added to the show. Talent gets 5 to 10 minutes of stage time, depending on the number of signups. Civilian audience can range from 3 to 10 regular patrons. You can see the stage, which is a platform a few inches high, from any chair in the bar. They have one pool table, but no one was playing that night. Only one mic. The place seats about 26. The show started at 9:25. Hamburger was very informal about signup. Because turnout of talent was scarce, he pretty much put up the talent as he saw fit. Audience was a slim 9 persons, plus the bartender. The lighting on stage is not the best, and I recommend taking a couple steps back from the front of the platform. A tip jar was placed by the edge, but I think that was meant more for the patrons to contribute than it was asking the talent to pay to perform. Of course, the host is a comedian himself, so after the opening music act, Hamburger opened up with a few minutes. The downside of such a small audience is if just one couple is not interested in the show and they talk, EVERYONE can hear it, especially when they’re sitting near the stage. I plowed through my set, trying out new material, and for the most part, even with such an intimate audience, they were receptive. But, yes, the couple talking was a distraction. I would no less recommend this room because most rooms can’t promise audience is there for the show. They may very well talk while you’re on stage. Later, the couple left, but a woman showed up wanting to perform, but not before first heckling one of the later talent. I gotta say, Hamburger handled the situation well. I was upset with the woman, but Mr. Cheese explained to the woman it’s better to listen, and if you don’t like what you hear, don’t laugh. But let the talent perform without interruption. Then he let her up last and the talent who before was heckled responded in kind. I think the woman was too high to get the point. She bombed horribly, because no one would support such gross behavior. But Hamburger was trying to keep the room positive, forgive those who trespassed on his venue, and I do thank him for that. It’s vital to stay positive, even when, if not especially, the evening is coming to a close. Those who still remained till the end will remember what happened, remember how the situation was handled. And how Hamburger handled it was well done.
The gentleman who runs this open mic is affectionately known as Hamburger. Full name Hamburger Wif Cheese. He’s been running the open mic for 4 months, but the mic itself has been going on just over a year.
ReplyDeleteBecause The Pocket is exclusively a bar, there are no language restrictions. They have their own parking lot. There is no food served, but a food truck stopped by and there is a Chinese restaurant next door. The venue is for comedy only. No music or poetry. However, Hamburger opens the show with a musician who plays a few songs, which I thought added to the show. Talent gets 5 to 10 minutes of stage time, depending on the number of signups. Civilian audience can range from 3 to 10 regular patrons. You can see the stage, which is a platform a few inches high, from any chair in the bar. They have one pool table, but no one was playing that night. Only one mic. The place seats about 26.
The show started at 9:25. Hamburger was very informal about signup. Because turnout of talent was scarce, he pretty much put up the talent as he saw fit. Audience was a slim 9 persons, plus the bartender. The lighting on stage is not the best, and I recommend taking a couple steps back from the front of the platform. A tip jar was placed by the edge, but I think that was meant more for the patrons to contribute than it was asking the talent to pay to perform. Of course, the host is a comedian himself, so after the opening music act, Hamburger opened up with a few minutes.
The downside of such a small audience is if just one couple is not interested in the show and they talk, EVERYONE can hear it, especially when they’re sitting near the stage. I plowed through my set, trying out new material, and for the most part, even with such an intimate audience, they were receptive. But, yes, the couple talking was a distraction. I would no less recommend this room because most rooms can’t promise audience is there for the show. They may very well talk while you’re on stage.
Later, the couple left, but a woman showed up wanting to perform, but not before first heckling one of the later talent. I gotta say, Hamburger handled the situation well. I was upset with the woman, but Mr. Cheese explained to the woman it’s better to listen, and if you don’t like what you hear, don’t laugh. But let the talent perform without interruption. Then he let her up last and the talent who before was heckled responded in kind. I think the woman was too high to get the point. She bombed horribly, because no one would support such gross behavior. But Hamburger was trying to keep the room positive, forgive those who trespassed on his venue, and I do thank him for that. It’s vital to stay positive, even when, if not especially, the evening is coming to a close. Those who still remained till the end will remember what happened, remember how the situation was handled.
And how Hamburger handled it was well done.