First, the facts. Then everything else. Talent gets three songs or 15 minutes. The room has been going on for 20 years, and Kevy has been hosting open mic for the last five. Signup is first come first choice. However, you can also phone in your request, usually around noon the day of the show. (Regulars do that often.) The signup sheet can come out as early as 6:30. Spots six through ten are for phone-ins, while spots one through five and 11 through 15 are for walk-ins. When I showed up at 7pm, four spots had already been taken. There are no language restrictions. The room goes from 8pm to 12am. There are five muted TVs on, four directly behind the stage. They have a great sound system, and the stage is nice, elevated, visible to everyone in the room. Two mics are set up, but Kevy can quickly make it four. Unfortunately, having put my name down on the signup sheet and waiting till the peeps showed up, in that time the open mic was canceled. We had flood warning alerts in our area, and the persistent storm kept the people away. Those people who had earlier phoned in their name to be added to the lineup either called back and canceled or were no shows. This was only the second time in eleven years, Kevy told me, that the open mic has been canceled, barring holidays that occur on a Thursday. Thankfully, Kevy, a musician himself, was there for me to interview and get the facts and history of this room, even if I could not go up. Open mic at Cameron’s was originally started by Auri Naggar. He ran it for 15 years. Kevy met Auri through the open mic and he became a regular at Cameron’s and a friend to Auri. When Auri passed away from cancer, Kevy, now 43, took over. This room mostly attracts musicians. I was the first comedian they had had in a few years. All forms of talent are welcome. Usually, this room brings in weekly about ten performers, and a similar number in general audience. Of the ten, Kevy says one will be an out-of-towner. Some weeks the room can pack 50 peeps. The pub serves a plethora of food, myself enjoying the clam chowder, so bring an appetite. The place has so much atmosphere. You’ll want to take pics. While I have no personal experience to share, having not gone on stage, I still have to recommend this room. For the amount of stage time alone, that’s reason enough. That you can phone in your name on the signup sheet, guaranteeing your travels have not been in vain, that’s reason enough. But, also, I got such a good feeling about Kevy. I know he attracts people who are good, gives off that aura of goodness that makes you feel comfortable. He spent a year doing standup, but maintains the room because he likes to play his music and he likes to see other talent equally so. My overall recommendation is to make an evening out of Cameron’s. Perform but also chill for the night. Have dinner. Come with someone. Stay for the evening. Half Moon Bay is a bit out of the way, so it’s not likely you’ll get a second venue in anyway.
First, the facts. Then everything else.
ReplyDeleteTalent gets three songs or 15 minutes. The room has been going on for 20 years, and Kevy has been hosting open mic for the last five. Signup is first come first choice. However, you can also phone in your request, usually around noon the day of the show. (Regulars do that often.) The signup sheet can come out as early as 6:30. Spots six through ten are for phone-ins, while spots one through five and 11 through 15 are for walk-ins. When I showed up at 7pm, four spots had already been taken. There are no language restrictions.
The room goes from 8pm to 12am. There are five muted TVs on, four directly behind the stage. They have a great sound system, and the stage is nice, elevated, visible to everyone in the room. Two mics are set up, but Kevy can quickly make it four.
Unfortunately, having put my name down on the signup sheet and waiting till the peeps showed up, in that time the open mic was canceled. We had flood warning alerts in our area, and the persistent storm kept the people away. Those people who had earlier phoned in their name to be added to the lineup either called back and canceled or were no shows. This was only the second time in eleven years, Kevy told me, that the open mic has been canceled, barring holidays that occur on a Thursday. Thankfully, Kevy, a musician himself, was there for me to interview and get the facts and history of this room, even if I could not go up.
Open mic at Cameron’s was originally started by Auri Naggar. He ran it for 15 years. Kevy met Auri through the open mic and he became a regular at Cameron’s and a friend to Auri. When Auri passed away from cancer, Kevy, now 43, took over.
This room mostly attracts musicians. I was the first comedian they had had in a few years. All forms of talent are welcome. Usually, this room brings in weekly about ten performers, and a similar number in general audience. Of the ten, Kevy says one will be an out-of-towner. Some weeks the room can pack 50 peeps. The pub serves a plethora of food, myself enjoying the clam chowder, so bring an appetite. The place has so much atmosphere. You’ll want to take pics.
While I have no personal experience to share, having not gone on stage, I still have to recommend this room. For the amount of stage time alone, that’s reason enough. That you can phone in your name on the signup sheet, guaranteeing your travels have not been in vain, that’s reason enough. But, also, I got such a good feeling about Kevy. I know he attracts people who are good, gives off that aura of goodness that makes you feel comfortable. He spent a year doing standup, but maintains the room because he likes to play his music and he likes to see other talent equally so.
My overall recommendation is to make an evening out of Cameron’s. Perform but also chill for the night. Have dinner. Come with someone. Stay for the evening. Half Moon Bay is a bit out of the way, so it’s not likely you’ll get a second venue in anyway.