Saturday, October 15, 2016

Tuesday Mic at Queen's Inn By The River

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1 comment:

  1. Open mic at Queen’s Inn, like many venues I’ve experienced in the smaller towns, is such a lax room. There is no signup sheet. The gentleman who runs the room, Steve, generally remembers who showed up and when and calls out names that way. I was the only outsider visiting. I think everyone else knew each other.
    Normally, open mic is done outside in the beer garden. But when the weather is cold they relocate it inside in the breakfast area of the inn. The room seats about 17. There is no stage or platform. And there is no need for one, so intimate is the room. Everyone there is there for the open mic. No distractions whatsoever. You’ll have one of the most attentive audiences ever.
    When I arrived at 5:30, I parked in a gravel parking lot. The only other person inside was the guy working the front desk. He told me Steve usually shows up ten to six and sets up then. The room has been going on for two years. Talent gets three songs or 15 minutes. There are no language restrictions. All forms of talent are welcome, but mostly they get musicians. Though there is no stage, there are 3 mics set up. The inn serves wine and beer. Some people brought bottled water, and one woman made and brought cookies for everyone.
    Steve showed up close to 6pm and was still setting up by 6:14pm. Nine people were present when we started about 6:17. Steve opened with a few songs then brought another musician up, who also did three songs. Then Steve asked if I wanted to go, and I said yes. I sat down in a chair and used the middle mic. As intimate as the room was, I decided it was best for me to sit in a chair and use the middle mic. I did ten minutes, and was very pleased with the results. I later found out I was the first comedian they had had in the history of the venue.
    I am told on a good night (in summer) talent averages about 12. In winter, 4 or 5. Tonight, of the 9 people in attendance, 6 were there to perform, 2 were there to watch, and Steve hosts each week. The gentleman who oversaw the inn was in and out.
    This room deserves some recognition. What puzzles me is, comedians I’ve met in Fresno are willing to travel south to Tulare for the open mic there, but to drive almost the same distance in the other direction to Oakhurst, no comedian before me has ever ventured to this room in the two years they’ve been around. Oakhurst has 2 open mic venues and possibly another starting up, as it was mentioned the night I performed at Queen’s Inn.
    Guys, give this room a shot. Especially if you can come in the warmer months when attendance is higher. There are no language restrictions, and 15 minutes is a good amount of time. If you’re visiting Yosemite, stop in and perform at Queen’s Inn. It’s located down the slant from their sign off the highway. You’ll see the gravel parking lot to the right of the inn. Visitors park there unless guests of the inn.

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