Ninja Karaoke used to be called The Human Experience and it was run by a wonderful woman named Miss Joy. The room has since transformed into this new mic at this new location. Much of the format remains the same. Signup is at 6:30pm, the show at 7pm. However, because of its popularity, people were lining up at the door at 6pm to signup, and by the time I arrived at 6:31pm, 34 names were written on the signup sheet. The room takes 25 slots with a featured act doing 15 minutes and an alternate list in case someone drops out. I knew I was not going to go up, but stayed for the first hour to experience the room. The mic can go to as late as 1am! Hey, it’s Las Vegas. Parking is on the street. The room takes place outside when the weather is good and inside when the weather is not. The night I was there we were outside. Signup is first come first choice. All genres of talent are welcome. Performers get five minutes, and there are no language restrictions. The room is run by a woman named Jam, a friend of Miss Joy who passed the mantle of responsibility onto Jam. The room has been going on a year and a half since Miss Joy’s 18 years of running the room. The business is a full bar, but they allow outside food. Outside there is no stage. The place seats about 50 and everyone can see the talent. If the room had taken place inside, it seats about 31 and there is a platform stage. (I was told by the bartender she likes the mic better inside because it’s more focused and intimate.) I ordered a Sapporo beer for $4.50. Two muted TVs at the bar were on, but there is nothing outside to distract, save for the rowdy audience. Perhaps that is what the bartender meant when she preferred the mic inside. By the time the evening started at 7:37pm there was a six-piece band starting with a song. Thirty-six people overall were either sitting in chairs at the tables or standing off to the side. Afterwards, Jam welcomed everyone then brought up a guest emcee whose name I did not catch. He explained the rules, to be supportive and not interrupt, and just enjoy the show. The first couple of signups were singers and rappers, one of them inviting the audience to come close. That’s when a lot of the people on the sides and in chairs got up and moved closer, blocking the view of those sitting in the back. You could still hear the talent no problem, just not see them. It was at that time that we decided to leave. The room says start time is 7pm, but this evening it started very late. As spacious as the outside area was, the place was packed. Guys, this room is full of energy. I can just imagine how difficult it might be to contain that energy had the room taken place indoors. But don’t let that sway you either way. I’m sure both rooms will pay attention when it’s your turn. The people there are spirited and friendly and were receptive to everyone I saw go up. That the emcee made it a point to say not to interrupt the talent means you’re not going to get heckled. As long as you are heard, I’m certain that as vibrant as the room was, the focus can be channeled to comedy on stage. The five minutes will go by faster than you think. Certainly, it seemed like that with the music. Miss Joy would be proud how positive this room has remained. Kudos to Jam. But get there way early, before 6pm. Be sure to go up in the first half of the night. I suspect that, because it’s a work/school night, the audience will thin as the hours pass.
Ninja Karaoke used to be called The Human Experience and it was run by a wonderful woman named Miss Joy. The room has since transformed into this new mic at this new location. Much of the format remains the same.
ReplyDeleteSignup is at 6:30pm, the show at 7pm. However, because of its popularity, people were lining up at the door at 6pm to signup, and by the time I arrived at 6:31pm, 34 names were written on the signup sheet. The room takes 25 slots with a featured act doing 15 minutes and an alternate list in case someone drops out. I knew I was not going to go up, but stayed for the first hour to experience the room. The mic can go to as late as 1am! Hey, it’s Las Vegas.
Parking is on the street. The room takes place outside when the weather is good and inside when the weather is not. The night I was there we were outside. Signup is first come first choice. All genres of talent are welcome. Performers get five minutes, and there are no language restrictions. The room is run by a woman named Jam, a friend of Miss Joy who passed the mantle of responsibility onto Jam. The room has been going on a year and a half since Miss Joy’s 18 years of running the room.
The business is a full bar, but they allow outside food. Outside there is no stage. The place seats about 50 and everyone can see the talent. If the room had taken place inside, it seats about 31 and there is a platform stage. (I was told by the bartender she likes the mic better inside because it’s more focused and intimate.) I ordered a Sapporo beer for $4.50. Two muted TVs at the bar were on, but there is nothing outside to distract, save for the rowdy audience. Perhaps that is what the bartender meant when she preferred the mic inside.
By the time the evening started at 7:37pm there was a six-piece band starting with a song. Thirty-six people overall were either sitting in chairs at the tables or standing off to the side. Afterwards, Jam welcomed everyone then brought up a guest emcee whose name I did not catch. He explained the rules, to be supportive and not interrupt, and just enjoy the show. The first couple of signups were singers and rappers, one of them inviting the audience to come close. That’s when a lot of the people on the sides and in chairs got up and moved closer, blocking the view of those sitting in the back. You could still hear the talent no problem, just not see them. It was at that time that we decided to leave. The room says start time is 7pm, but this evening it started very late. As spacious as the outside area was, the place was packed.
Guys, this room is full of energy. I can just imagine how difficult it might be to contain that energy had the room taken place indoors. But don’t let that sway you either way. I’m sure both rooms will pay attention when it’s your turn. The people there are spirited and friendly and were receptive to everyone I saw go up. That the emcee made it a point to say not to interrupt the talent means you’re not going to get heckled. As long as you are heard, I’m certain that as vibrant as the room was, the focus can be channeled to comedy on stage. The five minutes will go by faster than you think. Certainly, it seemed like that with the music. Miss Joy would be proud how positive this room has remained. Kudos to Jam.
But get there way early, before 6pm. Be sure to go up in the first half of the night. I suspect that, because it’s a work/school night, the audience will thin as the hours pass.