Open mic at 55 Yardline has been going on just shy of three months, hosted by a musician named Ben. The place is, of course, a full bar and serves comfort food. I had a burger there at lunch time and it was very good. They have a parking lot. The place seats over 40, but where the open mic takes place, at some seating it is difficult or impossible to be seen. This place is new and not known for comedy. The only other comedian they have had since its open mic debut was the week before I went up. That comedian had a good time and Ben told me that person was going to tell his comedic friends about this place, and the audience can expect more comedy mixed with music. There are 17 TVs on, but they are all muted. There is no stage or platform. A couple tables are cleared in one corner and a solo mic is set up. Unfortunately, to get to the bathroom, you have to cross in front of the stage. That’s not a problem for musicians. But for comedians, I suppose it could distract the audience. My own experience was a good one, to say the least. I arrived at 8:40pm and the signup sheet had not come out yet. The area for the open mic was cleared about 8:47pm. The signup sheet came out 8:54, and I was the only one waiting to put my name down. Ben said he’d play for 30 or so minutes then I could go up. I said fine. In that time, a couple more musicians entered and signed up. The evening started at 9:05pm, and there were 25 people in the audience by 9:30. I went up 9:40pm. As sizable as the audience was, only a few were actually paying attention. I counted maybe 8 who were watching me. Everyone else waited for the music. A couple minutes into my set a guy came right up to me and asked if I was going to play any music. I stopped my set, put my hand over the mic and said, "Not this week." Then he walked away. Later he found me and apologized. He thought I was a musician talking too much and not playing. He did not know I was doing standup. Too noisy for him to hear me clearly from where he sat at the end of the bar. For the people who were listening I got very good feedback afterwards. I was so glad I came. But I get that after two months of music, someone can wonder why the person on stage isn’t playing but only talking. With enough comedians over time the audience will get used to the mix and know to expect that. Guys, give this room a try. If the one comedian who went up the week before me did tell his comedy friends about this room, I think more audience will be attending not just for music but also comedy. I'm confident more audience will pay attention, and you'll get a better reception. And if that comedian did not tell his buddies about this room, go anyway and win them over. By the time I finished my set, a few more people understood I was performing standup and paid attention. This venue welcomes all talent. It just may take a little longer for the audience to get that.
Open mic at 55 Yardline has been going on just shy of three months, hosted by a musician named Ben. The place is, of course, a full bar and serves comfort food. I had a burger there at lunch time and it was very good. They have a parking lot. The place seats over 40, but where the open mic takes place, at some seating it is difficult or impossible to be seen.
ReplyDeleteThis place is new and not known for comedy. The only other comedian they have had since its open mic debut was the week before I went up. That comedian had a good time and Ben told me that person was going to tell his comedic friends about this place, and the audience can expect more comedy mixed with music.
There are 17 TVs on, but they are all muted. There is no stage or platform. A couple tables are cleared in one corner and a solo mic is set up. Unfortunately, to get to the bathroom, you have to cross in front of the stage. That’s not a problem for musicians. But for comedians, I suppose it could distract the audience.
My own experience was a good one, to say the least. I arrived at 8:40pm and the signup sheet had not come out yet. The area for the open mic was cleared about 8:47pm. The signup sheet came out 8:54, and I was the only one waiting to put my name down. Ben said he’d play for 30 or so minutes then I could go up. I said fine. In that time, a couple more musicians entered and signed up. The evening started at 9:05pm, and there were 25 people in the audience by 9:30. I went up 9:40pm. As sizable as the audience was, only a few were actually paying attention. I counted maybe 8 who were watching me. Everyone else waited for the music. A couple minutes into my set a guy came right up to me and asked if I was going to play any music. I stopped my set, put my hand over the mic and said, "Not this week." Then he walked away. Later he found me and apologized. He thought I was a musician talking too much and not playing. He did not know I was doing standup. Too noisy for him to hear me clearly from where he sat at the end of the bar.
For the people who were listening I got very good feedback afterwards. I was so glad I came. But I get that after two months of music, someone can wonder why the person on stage isn’t playing but only talking. With enough comedians over time the audience will get used to the mix and know to expect that.
Guys, give this room a try. If the one comedian who went up the week before me did tell his comedy friends about this room, I think more audience will be attending not just for music but also comedy. I'm confident more audience will pay attention, and you'll get a better reception. And if that comedian did not tell his buddies about this room, go anyway and win them over. By the time I finished my set, a few more people understood I was performing standup and paid attention. This venue welcomes all talent. It just may take a little longer for the audience to get that.