Blairally has a limited parking lot, but all the street parking is free. The business is an arcade with lots of pinball machines, video machines, like Asteroids, and more, but it is also a full bar and café, serving comfort food like salads, wings, pizza, sandwiches and some Mexican dishes. The room is run by a gentleman named Seth. The venue has been going on for over a year. It is comedy only; no music or poetry. Talent gets five minutes, but out-of-towners get a few more, close to, if not, ten minutes. There are no language restrictions. Signup is on the Honor System; first come first choice. My friend and I showed up over a half hour early, and a comedian pointed that out to the host, and Seth came over to us first and asked what slots we wanted. The room seats about 35 who can see the stage well. The stage itself is quite big and elevated – four steps to get up there. A giant TV behind the bar played football – first game of the season – but that wasn’t what is distracting about the room. It’s an active arcade with people ringing bells and slapping flippers and rolling balls and cheering every now and then. Still, in spite of that, as long as you talk into the mic, you can be heard by those sitting and paying attention. By 8:45pm, there were seven signups. The room I think intentionally started late to allow more talent to show up. Eventually, Seth began at 9:10pm. About nine people were paying attention to the stage. By the third talent, 13 people were enjoying the mic. With regards to signups, by 10pm I saw 11 names on the list. Seth opened with a few, then brought up the first talent. He gives you the light when you have a minute left, which is easy to see. There are no blinding lights. While on stage I could see not only who was watching me, but who was enjoying me, eyeing head nods and smiles. As long as I had someone’s attention, I committed to the material. We had to leave at 10pm, because we were driving all night to another town and venue. But the room was the same throughout the evening. No surprises. Talent did their time and got off. Music doesn’t play anyone on or off. Seth announces the talent, and they’re up. The amount of people paying attention didn’t deviate that much. Figure you’ll have a dozen or so watching. Guys, this is a good room to do. Don’t be swayed by the noise. Just keep the mic near your mouth like you’re giving oral, and those paying attention will hear you. I even saw a couple people at the bar with their back to me, who eventually turned around and started watching because they liked what they heard. You can win this room over, even with such distractions as an arcade game in progress times 20. That out-of-towners get extra time should be all the more reason to come and support and do this room. Seth is a good guy, doesn’t favor his friends or anyone over his own rules. He made my friend and I feel welcomed. So did the room. You will feel that way, too, if you do Blairally.
Blairally has a limited parking lot, but all the street parking is free. The business is an arcade with lots of pinball machines, video machines, like Asteroids, and more, but it is also a full bar and café, serving comfort food like salads, wings, pizza, sandwiches and some Mexican dishes.
ReplyDeleteThe room is run by a gentleman named Seth. The venue has been going on for over a year. It is comedy only; no music or poetry. Talent gets five minutes, but out-of-towners get a few more, close to, if not, ten minutes. There are no language restrictions. Signup is on the Honor System; first come first choice. My friend and I showed up over a half hour early, and a comedian pointed that out to the host, and Seth came over to us first and asked what slots we wanted. The room seats about 35 who can see the stage well. The stage itself is quite big and elevated – four steps to get up there.
A giant TV behind the bar played football – first game of the season – but that wasn’t what is distracting about the room. It’s an active arcade with people ringing bells and slapping flippers and rolling balls and cheering every now and then. Still, in spite of that, as long as you talk into the mic, you can be heard by those sitting and paying attention.
By 8:45pm, there were seven signups. The room I think intentionally started late to allow more talent to show up. Eventually, Seth began at 9:10pm. About nine people were paying attention to the stage. By the third talent, 13 people were enjoying the mic. With regards to signups, by 10pm I saw 11 names on the list. Seth opened with a few, then brought up the first talent. He gives you the light when you have a minute left, which is easy to see. There are no blinding lights. While on stage I could see not only who was watching me, but who was enjoying me, eyeing head nods and smiles. As long as I had someone’s attention, I committed to the material.
We had to leave at 10pm, because we were driving all night to another town and venue. But the room was the same throughout the evening. No surprises. Talent did their time and got off. Music doesn’t play anyone on or off. Seth announces the talent, and they’re up. The amount of people paying attention didn’t deviate that much. Figure you’ll have a dozen or so watching.
Guys, this is a good room to do. Don’t be swayed by the noise. Just keep the mic near your mouth like you’re giving oral, and those paying attention will hear you. I even saw a couple people at the bar with their back to me, who eventually turned around and started watching because they liked what they heard. You can win this room over, even with such distractions as an arcade game in progress times 20. That out-of-towners get extra time should be all the more reason to come and support and do this room. Seth is a good guy, doesn’t favor his friends or anyone over his own rules. He made my friend and I feel welcomed. So did the room. You will feel that way, too, if you do Blairally.