Open Mic at Old World Tavern has been going on since the business opened 3 years ago. Al, who owns Old World, doubles as host, removing a couple tables in his establishment from an elevated platform by the front window -- which serves as a terrific stage, in that everyone has a clear view of the talent -- setting up two mics, checking the sound system, and then show time a few minutes thereafter. I arrived early, finding plenty of street parking right across from the business. Inside, Old World seats about 31: 7 stools at their full bar and the rest of the seating at tables for dining. There are no TVs to detract from the show, which is good, considering open mic is on a Monday (MNF). This is an incredibly lax room. No signup sheet. Al doesn’t even host, announcing into the mic the next person to go up. Instead, once the sound system is checked, talent goes up as they want to, doing 3 songs or 15 minutes. Attendance was low the night I went up. I played for a room of 8: 2 staff, including Al, and 6 audience members, 2 of who were also poised to perform. I talked to one of the talent and said if you go up first, I’ll follow and we’ll both support the other. The gentleman, a regular at Old World, agreed and, without an introduction, just walked up to the stage and started playing about 8:32pm. He did 3 songs and then it was my turn. While small in size, the audience I must say was attentive. I didn’t expect huge laughs, given the size, but at least they were on board, listening. I did maybe 7 or 8 minutes then got off, and then the last of the talent went up. While a small turnout that night, I am told other weeks the room can be packed, and the open mic can run as late as 1am. On a slow night, 10 or 11pm. Also of note, there are no language restrictions. They stop serving food at 9pm, and then it becomes a bar only, so language is acceptable, proven by the fact that I said “F**k” with no reprimand. While all forms of talent are welcome, I learned from Al that 90% of those who perform are musicians. The other 10% are poets and comedians and even people going up and reading from the Bible, entertainingly giving near sermons. The business itself serves comfort food: salads, sandwiches, soup, burgers, but also steak, chicken and seafood. I had eaten dinner before I came to open mic, but I met a woman there from out of town who said she came to Old World because she was told from a local this was THE place to go to eat. From what I saw, the food did look quite appetizing. Guys, I must say, like the open mic I did the night before also in the Clearlake area, this room has a familial quality to it. Everyone knew everyone, and the two outsiders visiting – myself and the woman staying the night from out of town – were treated so friendly. After the last of the talent went up, we just hung at the bar afterwards, all of us, talking and even playing a guitar and singing without the mic. If you’re vacationing in the wine country, or passing through on business, consider stopping in and performing. As casual as it is, you can arrive late, and they’ll keep the open mic going till everyone has gone up. You may do a 15 minute set, and if the turnout of talent is not huge, can probably even go up again for more stage time, having allowed the rest of the talent their time. I can’t tell you what weeks the crowds come. It’s hit or miss. But even with an intimate audience, you will be well-received. There’s just an aura of goodness that permeates these venues, I am discovering, in the rustic Northern California that I don’t see as much in the bigger cities where traffic and crowds condition people to be impatient and more self-involved. When it comes to friendliness, this place isn't just Old World, it's Old School, from a time when strangers weren't perceived as a threat but as a welcomed addition. I like that.
Open Mic at Old World Tavern has been going on since the business opened 3 years ago. Al, who owns Old World, doubles as host, removing a couple tables in his establishment from an elevated platform by the front window -- which serves as a terrific stage, in that everyone has a clear view of the talent -- setting up two mics, checking the sound system, and then show time a few minutes thereafter.
ReplyDeleteI arrived early, finding plenty of street parking right across from the business. Inside, Old World seats about 31: 7 stools at their full bar and the rest of the seating at tables for dining. There are no TVs to detract from the show, which is good, considering open mic is on a Monday (MNF).
This is an incredibly lax room. No signup sheet. Al doesn’t even host, announcing into the mic the next person to go up. Instead, once the sound system is checked, talent goes up as they want to, doing 3 songs or 15 minutes.
Attendance was low the night I went up. I played for a room of 8: 2 staff, including Al, and 6 audience members, 2 of who were also poised to perform. I talked to one of the talent and said if you go up first, I’ll follow and we’ll both support the other. The gentleman, a regular at Old World, agreed and, without an introduction, just walked up to the stage and started playing about 8:32pm. He did 3 songs and then it was my turn.
While small in size, the audience I must say was attentive. I didn’t expect huge laughs, given the size, but at least they were on board, listening. I did maybe 7 or 8 minutes then got off, and then the last of the talent went up. While a small turnout that night, I am told other weeks the room can be packed, and the open mic can run as late as 1am. On a slow night, 10 or 11pm. Also of note, there are no language restrictions. They stop serving food at 9pm, and then it becomes a bar only, so language is acceptable, proven by the fact that I said “F**k” with no reprimand.
While all forms of talent are welcome, I learned from Al that 90% of those who perform are musicians. The other 10% are poets and comedians and even people going up and reading from the Bible, entertainingly giving near sermons.
The business itself serves comfort food: salads, sandwiches, soup, burgers, but also steak, chicken and seafood. I had eaten dinner before I came to open mic, but I met a woman there from out of town who said she came to Old World because she was told from a local this was THE place to go to eat. From what I saw, the food did look quite appetizing.
Guys, I must say, like the open mic I did the night before also in the Clearlake area, this room has a familial quality to it. Everyone knew everyone, and the two outsiders visiting – myself and the woman staying the night from out of town – were treated so friendly. After the last of the talent went up, we just hung at the bar afterwards, all of us, talking and even playing a guitar and singing without the mic.
If you’re vacationing in the wine country, or passing through on business, consider stopping in and performing. As casual as it is, you can arrive late, and they’ll keep the open mic going till everyone has gone up. You may do a 15 minute set, and if the turnout of talent is not huge, can probably even go up again for more stage time, having allowed the rest of the talent their time. I can’t tell you what weeks the crowds come. It’s hit or miss. But even with an intimate audience, you will be well-received. There’s just an aura of goodness that permeates these venues, I am discovering, in the rustic Northern California that I don’t see as much in the bigger cities where traffic and crowds condition people to be impatient and more self-involved.
When it comes to friendliness, this place isn't just Old World, it's Old School, from a time when strangers weren't perceived as a threat but as a welcomed addition.
I like that.