The mic at Whiskey Tip is open to all genres of talent. Called Edgy Open Mic, the room is run by a woman named Skye Blue, who has been running the mic for a year. Talent gets four minutes. They used to get ten when the mic first started, but because of its popularity, Skye had to reduce the amount of stage time to get as many people up. There are no language restrictions. This room takes place every Thursday except the third one. Signup is first come first choice. (More about that later.) Whiskey Tip is a full bar, and they have their own parking lot. There is no stage. Three mics are set up to the immediate left of the entrance, and it is well lit. Four muted TVs – three behind the bar and one behind the stage – silently blare sports, but the one behind the stage is turned off for the mic. The room seats close to forty who can see the talent well. Further into the business and in another room you can find a pool table, as well as outdoor seating. Pints of beers run $8. Outside the building there is a taco truck, if you’re hungry. They offer tacos, tamales, quesadilla and more. I arrived quite early and was told Skye would have the signup sheet. She arrived close to 7:45pm. But rather than put out a sheet for talent to sign up, she went around the room, approaching those she knew, and started to put their names down. I introduced myself to her, and she remembered me from messaging on FB, and she said she’d get to me. I later learned she likes to space talent apart, e.g., not putting two comedians back to back, so she first gets a sense of who does what, accommodates anyone with special needs – need to go up early, waiting for friends so put me up late, etc. – then puts together the lineup in that way. I got about the eighth spot, so it was fine by me, her system of doing the lineup, as the room doesn’t attract dozens of comics each week. The room started at 8:01pm. We had over 30 people in the bar when we started, but I’d say only about 23 were paying attention. By 8:15, with more people arriving, we had 30 watching the mic. One comedian went up third, and I waited for my turn. There were only two comics that night. I did my set, getting the light from Skye at three. At 9pm, they have a featured artist who does 20 minutes, then it’s back to the mic. During the featured artist’s performance they moved the tables back to allow for dancing, and, boy, were people spirited in their steps. After the featured act, attendance started to dwindle. I counted 19 in the room at 9:45pm, with only 13 watching the stage. Guys, this is a very good room to do. Four minutes is ample time for trying out new material, so the room moves along briskly when talent does other art. It’s not like comics get four minutes and musicians get three songs is what I’m saying. Those paying attention sure enjoy a good joke when they hear one. I even got an applause break after my first joke. Surprise surprise. Skye is an open mic advocate, and it shows, performing a little herself, accompanied by her father, I think. I shared my table with two people who were friends with each other, as every seat near the stage filled up quickly. In this room you’ll definitely have an audience.
The mic at Whiskey Tip is open to all genres of talent. Called Edgy Open Mic, the room is run by a woman named Skye Blue, who has been running the mic for a year. Talent gets four minutes. They used to get ten when the mic first started, but because of its popularity, Skye had to reduce the amount of stage time to get as many people up. There are no language restrictions. This room takes place every Thursday except the third one. Signup is first come first choice. (More about that later.)
ReplyDeleteWhiskey Tip is a full bar, and they have their own parking lot. There is no stage. Three mics are set up to the immediate left of the entrance, and it is well lit. Four muted TVs – three behind the bar and one behind the stage – silently blare sports, but the one behind the stage is turned off for the mic. The room seats close to forty who can see the talent well. Further into the business and in another room you can find a pool table, as well as outdoor seating. Pints of beers run $8. Outside the building there is a taco truck, if you’re hungry. They offer tacos, tamales, quesadilla and more.
I arrived quite early and was told Skye would have the signup sheet. She arrived close to 7:45pm. But rather than put out a sheet for talent to sign up, she went around the room, approaching those she knew, and started to put their names down. I introduced myself to her, and she remembered me from messaging on FB, and she said she’d get to me. I later learned she likes to space talent apart, e.g., not putting two comedians back to back, so she first gets a sense of who does what, accommodates anyone with special needs – need to go up early, waiting for friends so put me up late, etc. – then puts together the lineup in that way. I got about the eighth spot, so it was fine by me, her system of doing the lineup, as the room doesn’t attract dozens of comics each week.
The room started at 8:01pm. We had over 30 people in the bar when we started, but I’d say only about 23 were paying attention. By 8:15, with more people arriving, we had 30 watching the mic. One comedian went up third, and I waited for my turn. There were only two comics that night. I did my set, getting the light from Skye at three. At 9pm, they have a featured artist who does 20 minutes, then it’s back to the mic. During the featured artist’s performance they moved the tables back to allow for dancing, and, boy, were people spirited in their steps. After the featured act, attendance started to dwindle. I counted 19 in the room at 9:45pm, with only 13 watching the stage.
Guys, this is a very good room to do. Four minutes is ample time for trying out new material, so the room moves along briskly when talent does other art. It’s not like comics get four minutes and musicians get three songs is what I’m saying. Those paying attention sure enjoy a good joke when they hear one. I even got an applause break after my first joke. Surprise surprise. Skye is an open mic advocate, and it shows, performing a little herself, accompanied by her father, I think. I shared my table with two people who were friends with each other, as every seat near the stage filled up quickly. In this room you’ll definitely have an audience.