Open mic at Bear Roots Brewery goes from 7pm to 8:30pm -- sometimes a little longer -- because the business closes at 9. On the day I performed, the signup sheet came out 6:52pm. The place has a small parking lot; even street parking was limited. The room is comedy only. There are no language restrictions. Talent gets at least five minutes, depending on the number of signups. Tonight, we all got seven minutes. Aaron runs the room, has been doing so for a month shy of one year. The room seats 35 plus, and the business serves only beer. Aaron sets up a single mic and two speakers. Wherever you sit you can see the performer, even without a stage. Signup is first come first choice. Aaron handed the sheet to a couple sitting at a table, who signed their names, even though I was the first talent to arrive. But mostly it is on the honor system. I signed next – took the fifth spot – and another comedian I met, who show up not long after me, signed next and so on. The room was emceed by a guest comedian, Richard, and during his intro he announced “no heckling”. I thought that was nice. But even though people honored that rule, some in attendance were not there for the show and had no problem talking to each other while talent performed. Eventually they left, which reduced the number of people in the room by five. That made a difference in that, including the bartender, there were 20 people in the room when we started. There are no major distractions; three muted TVs at different corners. Bear Roots has one pool table, but no one played during the show. Aaron plays music when comedians are introduced. Only at the end of the night did he go up and perform himself. Guys, this room was a good one. Aaron keeps the pulse going with the music, and for the most part, people are there to enjoy the show. If you said something funny, you got laughs, not just nods. What people talked during the beginning were already in the room when Aaron was setting up. They finished their drinks and eventually left. Those attending the show stayed to the end to support. A few people left, but mostly everyone stayed to support. A mixture of talent as well as a general audience, but mostly you’re playing to a roomful of other comedians. Side note: their selection of beer is a good one.
Open mic at Bear Roots Brewery goes from 7pm to 8:30pm -- sometimes a little longer -- because the business closes at 9. On the day I performed, the signup sheet came out 6:52pm. The place has a small parking lot; even street parking was limited. The room is comedy only. There are no language restrictions. Talent gets at least five minutes, depending on the number of signups. Tonight, we all got seven minutes.
ReplyDeleteAaron runs the room, has been doing so for a month shy of one year. The room seats 35 plus, and the business serves only beer. Aaron sets up a single mic and two speakers. Wherever you sit you can see the performer, even without a stage. Signup is first come first choice. Aaron handed the sheet to a couple sitting at a table, who signed their names, even though I was the first talent to arrive. But mostly it is on the honor system. I signed next – took the fifth spot – and another comedian I met, who show up not long after me, signed next and so on.
The room was emceed by a guest comedian, Richard, and during his intro he announced “no heckling”. I thought that was nice. But even though people honored that rule, some in attendance were not there for the show and had no problem talking to each other while talent performed. Eventually they left, which reduced the number of people in the room by five. That made a difference in that, including the bartender, there were 20 people in the room when we started. There are no major distractions; three muted TVs at different corners. Bear Roots has one pool table, but no one played during the show. Aaron plays music when comedians are introduced. Only at the end of the night did he go up and perform himself.
Guys, this room was a good one. Aaron keeps the pulse going with the music, and for the most part, people are there to enjoy the show. If you said something funny, you got laughs, not just nods. What people talked during the beginning were already in the room when Aaron was setting up. They finished their drinks and eventually left. Those attending the show stayed to the end to support. A few people left, but mostly everyone stayed to support. A mixture of talent as well as a general audience, but mostly you’re playing to a roomful of other comedians.
Side note: their selection of beer is a good one.