A gentleman named Dan, a musician himself, runs the open mic at Shanachie, has been doing so for almost five years. The business serves beer, wine and sake and even some dessert snacks like cookies and chocolates. Non-alcoholic drinks included soda, lemonade, coffee and tea. So, come with a thirst, not an appetite. There is no parking lot, but on the streets it is free. All forms of talent welcome, but mostly they get musicians. Talent gets 20 minutes. Signup is first come first choice. There are no language restrictions. The room seats about 27. There is no stage or platform. A corner of the room is devoted to open mic, and there are two mics set up with a third on hand. The area designated as the stage is big enough to house a drum set. The room can go as late as midnight or 1am. I arrived at 7:15 and was the first to sign up. By 8pm the signup sheet was nearly full. The evening started about 8:08pm. There was no introduction by the host. The first person on the signup sheet just introduced themselves and started playing. This room is very relaxed. Dan pretty much knows everyone in the room, it invites so many repeat talent. The talent was playing to an audience of 10 in the room, 14 by 8:15pm. As the evening progressed, it became busy. At its peak people were sitting on the floor or standing because every seat was taken. Except for me, everyone was a returning performer. I am told in the fall, because Northern California gets so many visitors -- something about this area being called the “Emerald Forest” and the out-of-towners it attracts -- that Dan hosts open mic on Mondays as well as Wednesdays. Evidently, Dan’s open mic is the go-to place in this neck of the woods, and based on how crowded it was, I can testify to that. Guys (comedians), I have to admit I didn’t have my best set. The bartender told me after my set that they don’t have standup often and that it has been a while since someone last attempted standup at Shanachie. On the plus side, I did get some affirmation when the bartender said I was the best comedian he had ever seen at Shanachie. A couple other people congratulated me individually later in the evening, which I appreciated. But while I was performing, and I did about nine or ten minutes, I just didn’t think they took to me. I heard individual laughter, but not often a group laugh. One gentleman, who had a lot to drink (or smoke) and who performed after me, couldn’t help but throw in his two cents worth a couple times. I dealt with it well enough, but I don’t know. I’m not sorry I did the room, and it’s not going to stop me from recommending doing it. Quite the contrary. If you are traveling through all that Northern California offers – and there’s plenty – make an effort to do standup at Shanachie. Dan runs a good room, and the people it attracts are colorful and creative.
A gentleman named Dan, a musician himself, runs the open mic at Shanachie, has been doing so for almost five years. The business serves beer, wine and sake and even some dessert snacks like cookies and chocolates. Non-alcoholic drinks included soda, lemonade, coffee and tea. So, come with a thirst, not an appetite. There is no parking lot, but on the streets it is free.
ReplyDeleteAll forms of talent welcome, but mostly they get musicians. Talent gets 20 minutes. Signup is first come first choice. There are no language restrictions. The room seats about 27. There is no stage or platform. A corner of the room is devoted to open mic, and there are two mics set up with a third on hand. The area designated as the stage is big enough to house a drum set. The room can go as late as midnight or 1am.
I arrived at 7:15 and was the first to sign up. By 8pm the signup sheet was nearly full. The evening started about 8:08pm. There was no introduction by the host. The first person on the signup sheet just introduced themselves and started playing. This room is very relaxed. Dan pretty much knows everyone in the room, it invites so many repeat talent. The talent was playing to an audience of 10 in the room, 14 by 8:15pm. As the evening progressed, it became busy. At its peak people were sitting on the floor or standing because every seat was taken. Except for me, everyone was a returning performer.
I am told in the fall, because Northern California gets so many visitors -- something about this area being called the “Emerald Forest” and the out-of-towners it attracts -- that Dan hosts open mic on Mondays as well as Wednesdays. Evidently, Dan’s open mic is the go-to place in this neck of the woods, and based on how crowded it was, I can testify to that.
Guys (comedians), I have to admit I didn’t have my best set. The bartender told me after my set that they don’t have standup often and that it has been a while since someone last attempted standup at Shanachie. On the plus side, I did get some affirmation when the bartender said I was the best comedian he had ever seen at Shanachie. A couple other people congratulated me individually later in the evening, which I appreciated. But while I was performing, and I did about nine or ten minutes, I just didn’t think they took to me. I heard individual laughter, but not often a group laugh. One gentleman, who had a lot to drink (or smoke) and who performed after me, couldn’t help but throw in his two cents worth a couple times. I dealt with it well enough, but I don’t know. I’m not sorry I did the room, and it’s not going to stop me from recommending doing it. Quite the contrary. If you are traveling through all that Northern California offers – and there’s plenty – make an effort to do standup at Shanachie. Dan runs a good room, and the people it attracts are colorful and creative.