Open mic at Brick House is typically hosted by a gentleman named Harmonica Dave, who hosts 2 other open mics in the area. I met the gentleman on my last trip to Seattle, and was sorry to learn he was not going to be hosting the mic the day I performed. Will catch him at his third open mic on another trip. This room takes places very early in the day, so you can easily do this room and a second room later that evening wherever you can find one. I am told the room is very informal; however, the guest host, Stephanie, was more meticulous about keeping track of performers and brought out a signup sheet close to 2pm. The room started a little late because set up took time. But as few talent as there were to signup, starting late was not a problem. My friend and I did about 11 minutes each, having never gotten the light. I suspect, because Stephanie and the audience were enjoying us so much, she just left us alone to entertain. The room goes from 2pm to 5pm, so there was so much time remaining for the musicians after us. Parking is on the street. Port Orchard is a small community, and this mic is the go-to place for entertainment for musicians. While all genres of talent are welcome, principally this place attracts musicians. There is no stage. A mic is set up to one corner of the room. Two muted TVs are on during the show, unfortunately, and there are two other TVs, also muted, at other sides of the open room. The place seats over 70 people, and as the afternoon progressed, so did attendance. Pretty much wherever you sit, if you want to see the talent, you can. I was told by the manager of Brick House that no language is allowed. I couldn’t even say “friggin’” or “F-ing”. Not even “hell” or “damn”. Good thing I asked. Musicians get 15 minutes, comedians ten. But, again, we never got the light. Figure you’re going to do at least 10 minutes. The food at Brick House is very good. I recommend coming with an appetite. Beers are only $5. The menu was dominated by burgers and hand-held foods, but their entrees were more to my liking: grilled chicken, steak, fish and chips, and more. Stephanie placed a tip jar close to the area of performance. The music played in the restaurant is turned off just before the mic starts. When the show began, about 17 people were in the audience, only half really paying attention to the “stage”. Stephanie opened with a few songs, then brought up my comedian friend. The show started about 2:10pm. A musician was supposed to go up after my friend, but when he hadn’t tuned his guitar, and it was taking too long, Stephanie decided to bring me up while the talent got himself ready. I ended up playing to about 20 people about 3pm. I’d say maybe just over half of them stopped what they were doing and listened to my set. When I got myself off, my friend and I stayed to support the musicians that followed, and finally left to check in to our hotel. Guys, this is definitely a room to do, mostly because it starts so early in the day, you can get two mics in easily that day and that night, no matter where the second mic is. Plus, if you’re killing it, you’ll most likely get to do more than ten minutes. That the manager wants a clean set is a challenge every comedian should do if they expect do get booked on TV one day. The audience laughed a lot, and as friendly as the people were, they came up to us afterwards and congratulated us and said they had a great time. Stephanie, herself, I could see smiling a lot and laughing here and there, and that was good to see. Again, probably why we never got a light. Harmonica Dave is the weekly host normally, so look for him when you come to Brick House. But, if by chance he’s not there, come anyway. Yes, it’s that good a room.
Open mic at Brick House is typically hosted by a gentleman named Harmonica Dave, who hosts 2 other open mics in the area. I met the gentleman on my last trip to Seattle, and was sorry to learn he was not going to be hosting the mic the day I performed. Will catch him at his third open mic on another trip.
ReplyDeleteThis room takes places very early in the day, so you can easily do this room and a second room later that evening wherever you can find one. I am told the room is very informal; however, the guest host, Stephanie, was more meticulous about keeping track of performers and brought out a signup sheet close to 2pm. The room started a little late because set up took time. But as few talent as there were to signup, starting late was not a problem. My friend and I did about 11 minutes each, having never gotten the light. I suspect, because Stephanie and the audience were enjoying us so much, she just left us alone to entertain. The room goes from 2pm to 5pm, so there was so much time remaining for the musicians after us.
Parking is on the street. Port Orchard is a small community, and this mic is the go-to place for entertainment for musicians. While all genres of talent are welcome, principally this place attracts musicians. There is no stage. A mic is set up to one corner of the room. Two muted TVs are on during the show, unfortunately, and there are two other TVs, also muted, at other sides of the open room. The place seats over 70 people, and as the afternoon progressed, so did attendance. Pretty much wherever you sit, if you want to see the talent, you can. I was told by the manager of Brick House that no language is allowed. I couldn’t even say “friggin’” or “F-ing”. Not even “hell” or “damn”. Good thing I asked. Musicians get 15 minutes, comedians ten. But, again, we never got the light. Figure you’re going to do at least 10 minutes.
The food at Brick House is very good. I recommend coming with an appetite. Beers are only $5. The menu was dominated by burgers and hand-held foods, but their entrees were more to my liking: grilled chicken, steak, fish and chips, and more. Stephanie placed a tip jar close to the area of performance. The music played in the restaurant is turned off just before the mic starts. When the show began, about 17 people were in the audience, only half really paying attention to the “stage”.
Stephanie opened with a few songs, then brought up my comedian friend. The show started about 2:10pm. A musician was supposed to go up after my friend, but when he hadn’t tuned his guitar, and it was taking too long, Stephanie decided to bring me up while the talent got himself ready. I ended up playing to about 20 people about 3pm. I’d say maybe just over half of them stopped what they were doing and listened to my set. When I got myself off, my friend and I stayed to support the musicians that followed, and finally left to check in to our hotel.
Guys, this is definitely a room to do, mostly because it starts so early in the day, you can get two mics in easily that day and that night, no matter where the second mic is. Plus, if you’re killing it, you’ll most likely get to do more than ten minutes. That the manager wants a clean set is a challenge every comedian should do if they expect do get booked on TV one day. The audience laughed a lot, and as friendly as the people were, they came up to us afterwards and congratulated us and said they had a great time. Stephanie, herself, I could see smiling a lot and laughing here and there, and that was good to see. Again, probably why we never got a light. Harmonica Dave is the weekly host normally, so look for him when you come to Brick House. But, if by chance he’s not there, come anyway. Yes, it’s that good a room.