Not to dissuade anyone from doing this room, but I have to say right off the top, parking is a friggin’ pill. Driving around the blocks, when I finally did find parking, it was only for one hour, and I am told enforcement is strong when it comes to parking. I ended up only staying for 45 minutes in the open mic, and then I had to leave. I said if I find an immediate spot while pulling out and driving away, I’ll take it and come right back. But, of course, there was nothing available. Like a DC comic, “This is a job for Uber Person or Lyft Buddy!” If not, give yourself plenty of time to find limited parking. I showed up at the venue at 6:45pm. Three names were already on the signup sheet. I took the second spot because of my limited time. All genres are welcome, and there are no language restrictions unless children are present. Talent gets 12 minutes. Signup is first come first choice. The business is a coffee house, but it closes as open mic begins. Any transactions must be done before 7pm. Staff counts the till and does inventory, but the business is closed. As such, there are no distractions from the mic. While emphasizing coffee, the place also serves teas, sodas and some smoothies. The place is one big room that seats over 40. The mic happens in one corner of the room close to the entrance, but with the business closed, that’s not a problem. Anywhere you sit, you can see the talent, and some of the seating is very comfortable. Keith is the gentleman who runs the room. He’s been hosting open mic for five years. He sets up one mic and a chair. Attendance wasn’t terribly high the night I performed. If you include the staff and host, we had nine people in the room. Even with only nine people, we had nine signups, which meant some talent signed up and were not present when we started. A timer counts down, and talent can easily see how much stage time they have left. We started the room about 7:10pm. Any remaining coffee from the business in their dispensers is free for the open micers till it runs out. Except for myself, everyone was a musician. I sensed this was going to be a quiet room. Keith welcomed everyone and brought up the first talent, Keith opting to not perform himself. After three songs, Keith made an effort to hype me as a special treat, a comedian all the way from L.A., and then I went up. I played to 10 people. Happily, I get to report they liked me a lot. I must have done about 10 minutes. I did not get huge, group laughs, which I anticipated, but I did have a couple individuals laughing at more than half my act, and others every now and then chimed in. My closing joke got this one gentleman who had been quiet the whole performance to finally bust out laughing, and I ended it there. I stayed as long as I could, explaining my situation to Keith, who was the one who warned me that parking is enforced. I made it through the third talent, then had to bounce. But, guys, this was a very good room to do, even if attendance is not a whopper. Those who were there were very good about paying attention. They wanted to receive comedy, because this room is not used to standup. I get that week after week listening to music, you’re used to not participating in that you’re not seeking to laugh, to react to the talent on stage. Music is received. Comedy is interactive, a symbiotic relationship. But even so, being used to receiving only, it was a while before the audience felt they had permission to laugh. Once they were on board, I started doing much better. The fourth wall came down. There are a number of open mics in Seattle on a Thursday, and parking is probably better at most of them, but don’t let that stop you from doing this room. Twelve minutes is a good amount of stage time, and the audience will respect your craft and give you their attention.
Not to dissuade anyone from doing this room, but I have to say right off the top, parking is a friggin’ pill. Driving around the blocks, when I finally did find parking, it was only for one hour, and I am told enforcement is strong when it comes to parking. I ended up only staying for 45 minutes in the open mic, and then I had to leave. I said if I find an immediate spot while pulling out and driving away, I’ll take it and come right back. But, of course, there was nothing available. Like a DC comic, “This is a job for Uber Person or Lyft Buddy!” If not, give yourself plenty of time to find limited parking.
ReplyDeleteI showed up at the venue at 6:45pm. Three names were already on the signup sheet. I took the second spot because of my limited time. All genres are welcome, and there are no language restrictions unless children are present. Talent gets 12 minutes. Signup is first come first choice.
The business is a coffee house, but it closes as open mic begins. Any transactions must be done before 7pm. Staff counts the till and does inventory, but the business is closed. As such, there are no distractions from the mic. While emphasizing coffee, the place also serves teas, sodas and some smoothies. The place is one big room that seats over 40. The mic happens in one corner of the room close to the entrance, but with the business closed, that’s not a problem. Anywhere you sit, you can see the talent, and some of the seating is very comfortable.
Keith is the gentleman who runs the room. He’s been hosting open mic for five years. He sets up one mic and a chair. Attendance wasn’t terribly high the night I performed. If you include the staff and host, we had nine people in the room. Even with only nine people, we had nine signups, which meant some talent signed up and were not present when we started. A timer counts down, and talent can easily see how much stage time they have left.
We started the room about 7:10pm. Any remaining coffee from the business in their dispensers is free for the open micers till it runs out. Except for myself, everyone was a musician. I sensed this was going to be a quiet room. Keith welcomed everyone and brought up the first talent, Keith opting to not perform himself. After three songs, Keith made an effort to hype me as a special treat, a comedian all the way from L.A., and then I went up. I played to 10 people.
Happily, I get to report they liked me a lot. I must have done about 10 minutes. I did not get huge, group laughs, which I anticipated, but I did have a couple individuals laughing at more than half my act, and others every now and then chimed in. My closing joke got this one gentleman who had been quiet the whole performance to finally bust out laughing, and I ended it there.
I stayed as long as I could, explaining my situation to Keith, who was the one who warned me that parking is enforced. I made it through the third talent, then had to bounce. But, guys, this was a very good room to do, even if attendance is not a whopper. Those who were there were very good about paying attention. They wanted to receive comedy, because this room is not used to standup. I get that week after week listening to music, you’re used to not participating in that you’re not seeking to laugh, to react to the talent on stage. Music is received. Comedy is interactive, a symbiotic relationship. But even so, being used to receiving only, it was a while before the audience felt they had permission to laugh. Once they were on board, I started doing much better. The fourth wall came down.
There are a number of open mics in Seattle on a Thursday, and parking is probably better at most of them, but don’t let that stop you from doing this room. Twelve minutes is a good amount of stage time, and the audience will respect your craft and give you their attention.